Evening star., 1898-04-06

the Enterprise and ordered to London as
Lieutenant ]. c. Colwelt's assistant.
Lieutenant w. A Marshall has been as
signed to duty as assistant to Commander
H. Elmer. commanding the mosquito fleet.
Chief Engineer c. P.s Howell has been
ordered to the navy yard ateNewark.
Lieutenant Commander A. p Osborn, or
der Of 4th modified. Detached from COM
mand of the Macarthur and ordered at once
to duty with the New Orleans
Lieutenant w. H. H. Switzerland has
been ordered to command the Eagle when
ready. .
Lieutenant J. Hood has been ordered to
command the Hawk when ready.
Lieutenant A. Ward has been ordered to
command the Wasp when ready.
Lieutenant F. F. Brainardt has been or
dered to command the Uncas when ready.
Lieutenant J. NJ. Helm has been ordered
to command the Hornet when ready.
Lieutenant c. w. Jungen has been order
ed to command the Wompatuck when ready.
Ensign w. R. Gherardi has been ordered
to command the Sioux when ready.
Lieutenant ]. L. Purcell has been ordered
to command the Osceola.
Naval Cadet D. F. Boyd has been ordered
to the New York.
Assistant Engineer ]. R. Morris has been
ordered to the Columbia.
Passed Assistant Paymaster W. L. Will
son has been ordered to the Mayflower.
Ensign Y. Stirling has been detached from
the Newport News yard and ordered to
the Dolphin.
Lieutenant c. E. Vreeland has been or
dered to the Dolphin as executive officer.
Repairing Old Monitors.
The bureau Of steam engineering of the
Navy Department is actively tnga ged in the
work Of preparing for the installation of
the new boilers that are to be put into the
old monitors that Secretary Long decided
several weeks ago to put into commits
sion for use in the navy. Through the ex-
traordinary efforts adopted by the bureau
the officials expect they will be able to in
stall these boilers in about thirty days-a
task that under ordinary circumstances
would require six months work.
Disposition Of New Ships.
Two Of the ships purchased by the Navy
Department from the Morgan Line steam
ers will be sent to the New York navy ward
and two of them to the Norfolk navy ward.
AT the navy yards such changes as are
necessary to convert them into cruisers will
be made and the armament, which will con-
sst mainly of fve-dnch guns, will be in
stalled. In two or three weeks the officials
believe the ships can be prepared for active
service. While the officials decline to state
the exact price paid for these vessels, it is
said that 100000 apiece would be a fair re-
muneration for them.
The cruiser Diogenes purchased in Eng
land the other day for the navy, is expect
ed to leave that country this week for New
York. She is about 1880 tons burden.
Coal I'm the West Indies.
The naval intelligence bureau of the
Navy Department has kept itself fully in
formed of the amount Of coal owned by
the Spaniards in the West Indian Islands.
Like much other information which this
tureau obtains the officials decline to make
public. but it is said in some quarters that
the SUPPLY will last for a reasonable length
of time The bureau of equipment of the
Navy department is also 'straining every
nerve to get adequate supply of this val
usble requisite for fleet Or ships at sucn
points on the gulf as may be readily avail
able
Likewise the officials OF the Navy Depart
nent are making every effort to obtain
ccaling stations in theiWest Indies, but IL
their efforts up to this time have been
crowned with success they,fefuse to make
the fact public. Two desirable locations
which 1t is believed are under considera-
ticn. are the Mole st. Nicholas, Haiti, and
the Island of St.e.Thonaas, which belongs
to Denmark. If theaertwo places could be
acquired, then with supply stations at Key
west end at Dry Tortugas 1t is believed
the facilities for obtaining coal would be
reasonably adequate for all purposes in the
event OF war with Spain. Although the
Senate acted adversely on the proposition
to purchase st. Thomas. 1t is believed The
department has not given up all hope Of
securing some accommodations there for
ccaling station purposes.
Would They Be Reinstated1
The war feeling has manifested itself in
the postal service by the receipt by the
department Of numerous letters from DOS
tai employees who ask for information as
to their status in case they go to the front.
Many clerks, number of them members
OF state militia, want to know whether
they can leave their present occupation
and enter into active service with the
army, and If they do so whether their pay
will continue or If not whether when hos
Titles have ceased they will be reinstated.
Pending declaration Of war the depart
ment does not feel justified in passing
upon this question, but should hostilities
actually occur the law upon the subject
will be examined and ruling made.
Feeling Among Milftiamen.
The strong patriotic sentiment which pre-
walls among the militiamen of the various
states is finding vent In a number of COM
munications which have been received at
the War Department regarding their status
in the event of hostilities They are of
such a character as to leave no doubt In
the minds CT the officials that this strong
organized reserve army which amounts to
over 100000 men will be found ready to
any call that may be made upon them for
assistance in time of need. At the same
time there seems to be some fear among
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