The evening times., 1898-08-08

Secretary Long is about to have an ar
duous task placed before him in making
changes In no few sea and shore COM
gin Immediately upon the advent OF
peace now daily expected.
The regular service is now deficient in
the number of officers to fill all the ma
val biilets on sea and land. The Secre-
tary Is even now considering details of
officers to active commands which are
now or will fall vacant during the mex,
few months.
Rear Admiral C. s. Norton. who will
be retired on "Wednesday on account of
age will be retained on duty as COM
mandant of the Washington navy yard
until the end of the war. Retired Off
GERS In command of navy yards include
Rear Admiral c. c. Carpenter. command
ant of the Portsmouth navy yard, and
mandant of the Mare Island navy yard.
From present Indications there is a
probability that Capt. J. w. Pailip, who
will be relived of the command of the
Texas wi hin a short time. will. upon his
promotion, succeed Rear Admiral Kirk
land. who will take his place on the re-
tired list. 1t is believed among naval
officers that Capt. Philip would be sat
isfied with the Mare Island navy yard,
great part of his life having been
spen- on the Pacific coast. Secretary
Long will determine probably during the
present week WHO shall be nominated to
succeed Capt. Philip.
He will also issue orders assigning ar
officer to Commodore Scniey's new fiag-
ship. the Newark, which was made W.
cant by the transfer o: capt. Barker to
the Oregon. AS the ST. Paul and ST
Louis are to be plac Il out Of commission
as soon as they return nJ-;a thS.r com
manding officers, Capt. {. IL. Si.,sbec chd
capt. {. +. Goodrich. will be available
Tor assignment 10 ne :eNaS .i,.I Newark
Another officer whJse ntns ~ meEt,cned
In connection wi.n me retIs - Cart. s.
w. Terry, who CON nlniS the rec,N H..
ship Franklin.
Rear Admir- II N-r. rc,iremer. vii
promote Commodore Howell, commander
in-chief of the blockading squadron. In
structions have been sent to Commodore
Howell directing him to convene a medi-
cal board for his examination, but there
Will be no professional examination,
the Revised Statutes permitting the pro-
motion of an officer of the grade of COM
modore during the time of war without
professional examination. There is every
reason to believe that IL Commodore
Sampson goes abroad Commodore How
ell will be given command of all opera
tions in American. Cuban and Porto
Rican waters, and Schley will be assigned
to such duty as he may direct.
Commodore Schley would probably be
mado second in command of the block
aiding squadron.
Besides Rear Admirals Norton and ST.
card. Rear Admirals Matthews. Miller
and Bunce will be reiegated to retire.
ment during the present year. Even
should the war be in progress at the time
of Rear Admiral Miller's retirement in
November tho department will be COM
PEELED to relieve him of the command of
the Pacific station No decision has yet
been reached as to his successor but II
the war should come to an end before
his retirement one of the flag officers now
on duty in Cuban waters will undoubt-
edIy be ordered to relieve him.
Secretary Long has announced that as
soon as the war Is ended all of the old
stations will be reformed Rear Admiral
Dewey will naturally remain in command
of the Asiatic squadron because of his
acquaintance with the Philippines prob
lem, and his general ability. Commodore
Howell. who was brought home from the
European station. may return there as
the commander in chief Of a strong force
This leaves Commodores Sampson Wat
son and Schley to be provided for.
Commodore Sampson will undoubtedly
be kept afioat, either in command of the
North Atlantic or European station. and
the command of the Pacific station will
go either to Commodore Watson or Com
modore Schley, with the chances greatly
in the formers favor. Commodore Schley
may possibly return to his old duty as
chairman of the Lighthouse Board.
In view of the splendid results obtained
during the present var the bluejacke;s.
who are former apprentices. the Navy
Department has determined to foster the
pan of training young boys for service
on board men-Of-war. Instructions have
been given by Secretary Long for the he
aiabilitaiion OF the Essex and Adams as
training ships. One Of these will be sta
tioned on the Atlantic and the other on
the Pacific Coast.
Besides these two ships the department
will keep in service the Alliance and Mo-
hican. The Mohican is now at Honolulu.
but will be brought back to San Fran
cisco in all probability. where she will
be fitted out for a cruise to Samoa. Civ
il Engineer F. F. Chambers will proba-
bly, accompany her and upon his arrival
at PagO Paso will commence the con-
of the coaling station and piers.
plans and specifications for which are
now being prepared by the department.
1t is expected that the expedition will
leave within the next three weeks. by
which time sections of completed build
ings will be ready for shipment.
Commander r. B. Bradford. chief of
the Bureap of Equipment, who has been
Il IL g.
get the authorities to consent to the es-
of a coaling station at Pago
Pago. has already shipped several thous-
and tons of coal to the Samoan Islands,
and as soon as Civil Engineer Chambers
arrives and the sheds are erected 1t will