The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-29

fetal OuarteIs-Our Fleets Placed on War
Footing-More Vessels PuTchassd-Re-
port of the Court to be Laid Before the
Cabinet Today
Washington, March 24.-The last
day before the arrival Of the report of
the Maine our of inquiry was one
of ~unexampled activity in all official
quarters. Advices came early that the
Spanish fotilla had sailed from the Ca
naries for Porto Rico, and from this
moment the most energetic war
like followed n ano'"7r
i'm constant succession. The movC---It
of this fleet had been watched with
the keenest interest, as 1t was felt to
involve serious possibilities which
might compel the United States g,yv-
eminent to protest against the move-
ment as of a hostile character. I'M
mediately on the receipt Of the official
dispatch from one of our naval at
tacheeS abroad, briefly announcing the
sailing OF the fleet, the fact was made
known to the president and an earnest
conference was held between him, Sec
rotary Long and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. The seriousness Of the move
ment was fully considered and the pres
ident was advised that naval strate-
gists regarded it as essential that this
torpedo fleet should not be allowed to
reach western waters. What, if any,
conclusion reached is not known. Later
in the day the Spanish minister, Senior
IIp1n ~ TDay~pa rho called a 7 tho ct 70
department and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t was naturally inferred
that the approach of the Spanish flo
tilIa was one of the subjects referred
to. Whether, however, there was any
suggestion against this move was not
disclosed by either Judge Day or the
Spanish minister, both Of whom main
tained the icteSt reticenCe regarding
their conft -ence.
Following the fOtilla announcement,
important news came rapidly. The first
was this announcement by Secretary
Long, indicating the placing OF our
squadron and fleet on a war footing:
admiral Sicard has been granted
leave, very much to the regret of the
navy department, on account of his
health"
Captain Sampson has been made
commander of the fleet at Key West"
Captain Evans has been ordered to
take command of the battleship
Iowa"
The orders to the squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not yet been issued.
Although the announcement did not
so state, it soon became known that
Commodore w. S. Schley was slated
to command the flying squadron"
This announcement vas recognized
as of unusual Importance at this juno
ture. Admaril Sicard has been i'm COM
mand of the fleet at Key West through
out the period Of the Maine disaster.
Captain Sampson has been in command
of the Iowa, but more recently has
been conspicuour before the public as
president of the Maine court Of in
quiry. Captain Rdbley ran is bet
ter known as Fighting Bob"
The next important move was a de-
termination to create a joint commits
sion from the war and navy depart
ments so as to bring them into har-
moniOus action on all measures. Cap
tain Barker, the naval aide of Secre-
tary Long, was designated to represent
the navy department in this common
plan of action. The representative Of
the war department has not yet been
named. 1t will not be necessary Tor
these to officers to leave Washington,
as they can best arrange a joint plan
OF action in conference with the bureau
CNleIS on une Two departments uc1t.
MORE SHIPS PURCHASED.
Then at the close of the day came an
announcements that the navy depart
ment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yachts and four steam
tugs, presumably at and near New
York, for use in the auxiliary naval
fleet. THE boats are about 400 o
Zach and in an emergency would be
suitabl as torpedo boats. The yachts
purchased are among the f1eetest along
the Atlantic coast and are said to be
somewhat similar to the Mayflower re
Gently purchased of the Ogden-Goelet
estate. This acquisition to the navy
is regarded as an exceptionally valu-
able one at the present time, as the
greatest need is felt for small craft,
suitable a. torpedo and dispatch boats.
The names and amounts paid for the
various yachts and tugs are not dis
closed.
Throughout the day the White house
presented an appearance,
senator's and representatives from both
political parties calling to confer with
the president. Among the callers were
Senators Cullom, Fairbanks, Lodge,
Aldrich, JOne of Arkansas, n Spoon
er and Representative Bailey, the dem
Ocratic leader in the house of represen-
tatives. The uppermost question at
all the conference was the Maine dlS-
aster and the anticipated action of the
president in laying the report before
congress-. The conferences showed
that the president still hoped for peace,
but that there would be no abatement
of preparation to meet the other al
tentative.
COURSE THE PRESIDENT WILL
PURSUE.
The president said to, several of his
visitors today, in discussing the stu
alton. that he would do everything con-
sistent with the honor and dignity OF
the country to avert war and he still
believed wal could be averted. He also
aid that he believed the government
of Spain was as anxious for peace as
We were, but at the same time, he die
not hesitate to admit the gravity Of
the situation. The president frankly
acknowledges that he believes the re-
port of the board of inquiry will FIND