The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-14
81, Louis and St. Paul to Be
Converted Into Cruisers.
MILITARY TO Be MOBILIZED.
Lee Tells About the DefenSes of
Havana,

Washington, April 13.-This was a day
of stirring activity at the navy and war
departments.
Anticipating decisive action by Congress,
the machinery of the military and naval
branches of the government was early put
in motion and events of grave significance
followed in quick succession.
In every bureau the work of prepara-
ton went on with an enthusiasm and rush
that was in marked contrast to the leth-
argy that had characterized the big gran
ite building since Monday With it all,
there was an added secrecy and reticence
on the part of the officials to discuss the
warlike movements.
The first event to become known was
the acquisition by the navy department
OF the American line steamships St Louis
and ST. Paul, and coupled with the an
nouncement came the information that IN
all probability Capt. Sigsbee would be
placed in command OF one and Capt.
Goodrich of the other
Early in the forenoon the naval STRAIT
egic board went into session and called
Consul General Lee into the conference
Ihe session was long one and was de.
voted to a thorough discussion of offens.
i've and defensive movements in Cuban
waters, Gen. Lee being able to give the
board much valuable information regard
ing the defenses of Havana.
CroWdlng close upon the heels of these
events was the news that the flying SQUAD
ron had raised anchors and put to sea.
lnis fact caused intense excitement in all
quarters, and finally elected the official
s'stement that the squadron had merely
gone 10 sea for a short practice cruise,
mere was an evident anxiety on the
part OF officials for news of the various
spanish fleets, but up to a late hour to
Nlsht no word had been received of any
movement in that quarter.
II was rumored that the Spanish vessnls
al Porto Rico had sailed, but this could net
be confirmed
AT the war department various details
attendant upon the prearranged plans for
moving the troops were put in shape. but
matters in this regard are so well in hand
tnat no new orders were issued.
Despite the utmost precaution It develop
eu shortly before noon that the Flying
Squadron had been ordered to move from
Hampton Roads.
me nrst report was that the squadron
"ouiu san under sealed orders, going
sOuln' ana occasioned much excitement
mp Ieclatlng that deep significance was
nAey 10 be attached to the move, a quiet
ing and cautionary semi-oficial state
uleht was made that the squadron would
80 OUT for a practice cruise of 4S hours
Irooably the most significant action at
ule navy department was the issue of
Instructions to the naval auxiliary board
al New York for the Immediate purcha Sc
Ct the ocean greyhounds ST. Paul snd
o. Louis of the American line, the pur-
Nn"Se Oh another first class auxiliary
ID,user' probably the Yorktown of the Old
DDoHlhlon line, and the purchase of the
brazilian cruiser Nictheroy.
me last-named vessel is about to be in
epected, and the result will determine the
question OF her requirement by the United
States navy
me purchase of the st. Paul and the St.
Douls IS probably the most expensive
raleactlon consummated by the navy de-
pdItment since the beginning of the war
eIneht. The amount paid for them is
on OHlclal secret, but it is known to be
Where in the neighborhood of $5, ,000, 600.
ne report made by the Rodgers auxili-
uS board for the armament of these
seaners provides for two six-inch rapid
nIe and ten five-inch rapid fire guns for
we main battery, and of twelve six-pound-
Is lor the secondary battery. The steer
"s gear of these vessels, as well as the
,noEazlnes will be in readiness for SER
wee IN about thirty days.
another event was the conference last
~ over an hour between Consul General
ana the naval strategic board, com
rpoaeu OF Assistant Secretary Roosevelt,
''r Admiral Walker, RETIRED Capt. Cas-
ral 20 r. Goodrich of the naval war college;
Co'N'hander Richardson Clover and Capt.
,,o"hinshield. chief of the bureau of nav
a.loh' Although the proceedings were
ny yf ~ II IS known that they related almost
""'Iy TO the military defenses Of Cuba,
TT''u especially Of the forts at Havana. Gen.
education and experience naturally
T'e much weight to his observations, and
as questioned in detail as to the arma-
I"t Oh the forts at Havana harbon the
ION and strength of land batteries,
tt ttu other points of military Importance
ms residence had given him advan-
o ol. The conference discussed thor
daS the entire question of offensive and
80 IslVe movements in the neighborhood
v't uoa IN the light of the information
'yn n. zen. Lee was abe to impart.
LOT TO the meeting of the strategic
'0iN N. Zen. Lee grenf hak an hoiIr in