The herald., 1898-04-07
NAVAL PLAN OF ACTION
WHEN THE WAR AGAINST SPAIN
BEGINS
A DASH FOR CANARY ISLANDS
Where a Station Will Be Established
From Which to Harass the
Shores Of Spain
Associated Press Special Wire

AAnSOCldLCQ IIcSo 6pcCidt WlTo
WASHINGTON. April 6-The plan of ac-
tlon for the naval forces In event of hostil-
tiles is now practically completed as a
result Of several weeks constant work
on the part Of the officers to whom was en-
trusted this important feature Of the war
preparations. While these plans are nat
urally most closely guarded, 1t may be
stated on high authority that one featuea
Of them contemplates a dash by the fiy-
ing squadron under Commander Schley to
the Canary Islands. This proposition is
as yet tentative as all projects subject to
unforeseen conditions may be. but has re-
ceived careful consideration by the naval
authorities. AS outlined by q high naval
officer, the plan is that in the event Of q
declaration Of war. the flying squadron. as
now composed, or possibly with the addi-
ton Of a few more ships, will Immediately
start for the East with the Canaries as its
destination. Naval officials do not think
that 1t would be difficult task for SO
powerful a fleet to establish q @tation at
that point and operating from It as a base.
harrass the coast of Spain. From that
point the squadron could not only be
placed advantageously to intercept Span
fish merchantmen, but would be In posi-
tion, should circumstances demand or
warrant 80 desperate venture, to at
tack a seaport. 1t was also pointed out by
this officer that to seize and hold the Can
ray Islands would be a severe blow to
Spain. inasmuch as the islands lie between
the Cape de Verde islands and Spain and
In direct line with the route to Cuba.
ORDERS TO TROOPS
CHICAGO, April 6.-Specials from points
IN the West where army posts are located
Indicate that orders have been received from
Washington to have everything in read
mess for movement on short notice. Pre-
parations to this end are bing rapidly made
by the Twenty-second Infantry at Fort
Crook, Neb.: the Seventeenth Infantry at
Fort Leavenworth. Kan; the Eighth In
fantry at Cheyenne. Wyo.; the Fourth In
fantry at Fort Sheridan, ILL.,, and the
rwenty-fourth Infantry at Salt Lake,
Utah. Stores and rations have been issued
and camp outfits are being put in shape.
rhe orders state that transportation ar
tangements will be made at Washington,
but do not indicate the time the soldiers
will move nor their destination.
BUYING OF BOATS
LONDON, April Ga special dispatch
from Rome published today says contracts
WSLO oi6uCu 0uAAh6 tiC ody AOI tHc SdIc VI
three torpedo boats to the United States,
for the sale of the armored cruiser Guis-
hppe Garibaldi to Spain, and for the sale of
the armored cruiser Varez to the Argen-
tine Republic.
The armorcd cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi
y a steel vessel of 6S40 tons and $4,000 indi-
Gated horse power. She is 1928 feet long,
has 50 feet inches beam and draws "a feet
OF water. She has four torpedo tubes, her
peed Is estimated at 20 knots, she carries
900 tons OF coal and her crew numbers 45O
men.
THE ASIATIC FLEET
HONG KONG. April 6.--The United
States fleet is preparing to go to sea and
supplies of coal are being purchased for the
use Of the American warships.
The United States authorities have pur-
chased the British steamer Nanshaw,
which will used as a store ship.
OHIO'S NATIONAL GUARD
COLUMBUS, April 6.-The Senate has
passed the Riley bill appropriating 1,OOO,-
700 to put the Ohio National Guard ON
war footing. There was not dissenting
vote.
NAVAL SUPPLIES
CHICAGO, April 6.-General John Nc
Nulta, President Of the Naval Reserves
Association Of this city, has just received
the following telegram from Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt:
1.-THE general storekeeper of the navy
yard at New York Is authorized to issue
such articles as are in store. Orders have
been sent to the Adjutant General Of Illi-
nois'
This is in reply to a telegram asking for
orders so that the naval militia could get
supplies from the navy stores.
MOVEMENT OF TROOPS
NEW YORK, April Gone hundred and
fifty members Of the Twenty-First In
fantry from Plattsburg, N. Y, have ar
rived at Fort Slocum. The men will only
quarter there temporarily. Since Fort
Hancock at Sandy Hook was turned over
to the army by the corps of engineers
there has been O shortage of men at Fort
Elocum.
1t was from this post that the greater
number of the artillery for the new fort
were drawn. Col. Tully McCrea, formerly
In command at Fort Slocum, was also
transferred to the Hook and Col Sinclaire,
commandant at Fort Wadsworth, was ap-
pointed to I'LL the vacancy caused by the
transfer.
RO0I1I4NG 1bIIA Aims
NEW YORK, April 6.-Orders have been
received for the immediate completion Of
the work on the protected cruiser Chicago
Several hundred mechanics will be kept
at work on the Chicago until she Is ready
to go into commission. The Chicago will
be one of the most powerful vessels Of her
class in the world. She will carry four
8-inch and fourteen 5-inch rifles and q
large secondary battery. She will have a
speed of 10 knots and a crew Of more than
$50 men. It is said at the navy yard that
the vessel will be ready in about two
months. Orders were also received to-
night for the enlistment of crew for the
Saturn within the next three days.
PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT
WASHINGTON, April 6.-The strong
patriotic sentiment which prevails among
the militiamen of the various States is
finding vent in a number Of communica-
tlons which have been received at the
War Department regarding their status
In case of hostilities. They are Of such
q character as to leave no doubt in the
minds Of the officials that this strong or
Ganized reserve army, which amounts to
over 100000 men. will bs found ready 10
respond to any call that may be made
upon them for assistance In time of need.
Sometimes there seem to be fear among
a number of these organizations that the
operation of the Hull Reorganization bill,
which has the approval Of the admlnistra-
tion and Is now before Congress, win be
to their disadvantage. should its provi-