Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-29
FORMATION OF ANOTHER SQUADRON
DETERMINED UPON.
SMALL CRAFT TO COMPOSE 1T.
NO NEWS FROM THE SPANISH TOR
PEDO FLOTILLA.
An Admiral, Active or Retired, May
Be Placed in Supreme
of the Naval Forces-UsuaI
Activity
Yesterday.

Washington, March 2S.-The customary
activity which had prevailed in all branches
OF the war and navy departments for the
past month was apparent again to-day.
Particularly was this the case in the lat
ter, where Secretary Long and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt were on hand early,
holding conferences with bureau chiefs and
a number of visitors who had business Oh
Importance. Among the public men who
saw Secretary Lon was Senator Frye, OF
Maine. AT 10 o'clock the secretary left
the department for the White House. in
tending not to return until 2 o'clock
There was no additional information at
the department regarding the location of
the Spanish torpedo boat fiotilla now on
its way to Puerto Rico from the Canaries.
excepting that it was advancing steadily.
The highest naval authorities continue to
say thai this movement is the most for
midable menace to the ships OF our navy
that has yet occurred.
1t was disclosed for the first time by
ore of the naval orders issued to-day that
the department had determined upon the
formation of an additional new feet, to be
known as "the mosquito fleet" to be COM
posed of tugs. steam yachts and other
small vessels which may be obtainable
and which are to be used as a sort of
mobile defense of sea coast cities. 1t was
further 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
A. 1R;oA~c nf tha nnuu
active or retired, being placed in charge
of the entire naval operations. including the
fleet under Captain Sampson, Commodore
Schley's flying squadron nj any auxiliary
lines Of defense that nay be established.
1t was stated. however, at the navy de-
partment that Admiral Walkers home
coming is because of the conclusion of the
work of the Nicaragua canal commission,
of which he is president, and that it was
not FASTENED because of the present naval
activity. Moreover, the name of Admiral
Bunce, who is still on the active list, is
the most frequently mentioned among the
highest laval officers as the one most like
ly TO be chosen for this supreme command
If it should be determined upon.
In view of the great desire for ex-
perienced men in the naval service just al
this time, 1t is more than probable thai
the navy department will exercise con,
siderable leniency in dealing with the case:
of men who are charged with having de-
serted from the naval service and who re-
main absent from fear Of punishment. 1r
cases where the records of the men were
good previous to their desertion, they Will
in all probability. upon surrendering them
selves at a receiving ship. be officially re
garded as simple %stragglers and not as de
~serters. According to the regulations {
''straggler" is an enlisted man who hae
overstayed his leave and is subject to minol
punishment. Deserters. however. are dis
charged from the service and are ineligible
for reinlistment. 1t is recognized thai
many good men nave left the service with
out permission during the past few year:
of peace who would willingly re-enter thu
navy and render good service in the even
of an outbreak of hostilities. The probable
policy of the department looking to a NOR
liberal treatment of echnica deserterS !!
due in a great measure to the difficulty tht
recruiting officers are having in securing
men up to the naval requirements.
Commander Horace timers has been de
tached from Cramps ANY yard and or
dered TO command THE Mosquito fleet
10 be formed of all small craft that car
carry a gun. The Cincinnati and Castin,
ave arrived at Key West.