New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
VIGILANCE NOT RELAXED.
UNCEAsING PREPARATION BY THE WAR
AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS

AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS.
ADMIRAL. WALKERS RETURN CAUSES TALK OF a
CHIEF COMMANDO COMPANY SHOWS ITS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO DESERT
ERs-sEcRETARY ALGERs
MOVEMENTS.
Washington. March 2S.-The customary actv-
ity which has prevailed in all branches of the
War and Navy Departments for the last month
was apparent again to-day. Particularly was
this the case In the latter. where Secretary Long
and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt were on hand
early holding conferences with bureau chiefs
and number of visitors who had business OF
Importance. Among the public men who saw
Secretary Long Senator Frye Of Maine Al
10 o'clock the Secretary left the Department for
the White House.
ahere was no additional information at the
DEPARTMENT regarding the location OF the Span
ish torpedo boat notilla now on It's way to Porto
Rico from the Canares, excepting that 1t was
advancing steadily. The highest naval author
tiles continue to say that this movement is the
most formidable menace to the ships OF our
Navy that has yet occurred.
It was disclosed for the first time by one OF
the naval orders issued to-day that the Depart
ment had determined upon the formation OF an
additional ne feet. to be known as the Mosquito
Fleet" to be composed of tugs. steam yachts
and other small vessels which may be obtain
able. and which are to be used as sort OF
mobile defence OF seacoast cities. 1t was fur
Their developed In this connection that the Naval
Militia Of the several States is to be called upon
to man this auxiliary fleet
The fact that Admiral Walker cabled from
Nicaragua to the State Department, announcing
his departure for home, revives the speculation
as TO the likelihood OF one OF the highest officers
Of the Navy. active or retired. being placed III
charge OF the entire naval operations. including
the fleet under Captain Sampson, Commodore
Schleys flying squadron. and any auxilary
lines Of defence may be established.
It was stated, however, at the Navy De-
partment that Admiral Walkers Homecoming
Is because Of the conclusion Of the work or the
Nicaragua Canal Commission OF which he Is
president, and that 1t was not fastened because
Of the present naval activity Moreover the
name Of Admiral Bunce. who Is still on 'he
active list, is the most frequently mentioned
among the hghets naval officers as the one man
likely to be chosen for this supreme COMMAND
II it should be determined upon.
Secretary Long has written a letter thanking
the Harlan G. Hollingsworth Company, of Will
nineton Del for its manifestation of patriot
ism" In hurrying work on the torpedo-boat
Stringham, and declining any extra amount
from the Government for work necessitated by
the rush orders The company's action was
made known to the Secretary In the following
letter from II. G. Morse the companys presi-
dent:
I'm connection with your telegram regarding
the work on the Stringham, beg TO advise you
that we are pushing the construction OF the BOAT
by working until 10 o'clock at night IN our
machine-shop and In our draughting-roem; nave
taken on about fifty additional men Tor day
work. and have employed superintendent LOT
that boat.
I'VE do not expect TO make any claim FOR e&-
ira cost due to the extra work which we are
doing to push the boat along.
In view Of the great desire for experienced
men in the naval service Just at this time IL
IS more than probable that the Navy Depart
rnent will exercise considerable leniency In deal
ing with the cases Of men who are charged
with having deserted from the naval service
and who remain absent from fear OF punish
ment In cases where the records OF the men
were good previous to their deserton, they WILL
IN all probability upon surrendering themselves
at receiving ship be officially regarded as SIM
nle stragglers and not as deserters. According 10
the repulatlons q "straggler" is an enlisted man
who has overstayed his leave. and Is subject 10
minor punishment Deserters. however are DIS
charged from the service and are ineligible
for re-enlistment It is recognized that many
good men have left the service without permits
sion In the last few years Of peace who would
willingly re-enter the Navy and render goou
service in the event Of an outbreak OF hostii-
ties The probable policy OF the Department.
looking to a more liberal treatment OF technical
deserters is due In n great measure to the dliii-
cultv the recruiting officers are having in Sc
curing men up to the naval requirements.
Secretary Alger was at his office only short
time before he left for the Cabinet meeting to-
day. In the brief time he was there he saw
Senator Platt Senator Proctor, who has mad
many consultations with the Secretary IN the
last few weeks, and Representative Hooker, or
New-York