Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-26
The Register ~ The Sunday Geographic News Service

lest the premature announcement
might embarrass the negotiations and
possibly serve to increase the price the
government would have to pay for
them.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
was Informed by cablegram from Lieu
tenant Colwell, naval attache to the
United States embassy at London, that
agents of this government had pur-
chased a "Schischau" torpedo boat
that had been constructed for the Ger
man government The new acquisi-
ton is of the general type of German
torpedo boats, and is regarded as val
liable addition to our navy. One fea-
ture regarding her that affords special
qualification to the officials of the navy
department is that she is now ready
for sea. 1t is expected that in a few
days she will leave for the United
States.
Work on the vessel has just been
completed. She never has been in SER
vice. She is supposed TO carry three
torpedo tubes and two small calibre,
rapid fire guns. Nine to twelve men
Will De UbSueu W IlldI HGI.
Word reached the Navy Department
officials to-day that the Spanish au-
thorities have taken steps to supple
ment the existing Notifications at San
Juan de Puerto Rico, the main port OF
the Island of Porto Rico The news is
regarded as significant Porto Rico IS
the only other possession which be-
longs to the Spanish government on
this hemisphere The officials OF the
department, while acknowledging that
information of the foregoing character
has reached them, are yet very ehary
about impartIng any OF the details 70
the press.
The city of Porto Rico is fortified al
ter the old style prevalent IN carry
DAYS. the defenses consisting Of wall
which completely encircles it, OF sew
eral forts at strategic points, while the
only points of egress and lngress are
through massives gates. These 1ortl-
fications
ARE BEING STRENGTHENED
and the arament has been increased by
two large guns of formidable pattern
and calibre. San Juan has 23,4l4 IN
habitants.
Pending action on the report OF the
court of inquiry, Lieut.. Commander
Marix the iudge advocate of the court,
will be on especial duty in the ONCE
OF the judge advocate general. here
he will be available to supply any IN
formation that the President or tne
Secretary Of the Navy may desire III
connection with the proceedings OIL
the court.
The enlistment cf men for the naval
service is progressing satisfactorily at
the Washington navy yard and gooo
class -,-eay is being obtained.
Lii, golweil, at London, has been
direi d by the Navy Department TO
urge the builders ii The recently pur-
chased cruiser Albany, formerly the
brazilian vessel Abreuall to hasten
the construction OF the ship with all
nossible speed. In the ordinary course
IF work. the vessel would not be com
Melted before next December, but 1t IS
believed by officials of the Navy De
partment that if the builders are placed
under pressure she can be made ready
for sea within three months, and per-
hans a little less time.
The ordnance bureau expects to oD-
tain in all about forty-six rapid ire
guns from abroad for the sea coast
Qualifications.
Captain Shoemaker chief OF the
revenue cutter service, was DUSTY gu.
gaged to-day in making assignments OF
officers to the revenue cutters detained
Yesterday for defensive service along
the Atlantic seaboard. Every vessel IN
fine service available foe action mas
been or
WILL BE ASSIGNED TO DUTY.
Even the new cutter Gresham, on the
Great Lakes, and the little cutter Cal
umet located at Chicago, have been
called on, and in day q two both
the lake ships will be en-oute to the
rendezvous at Hampton Roads. They
will make the trip to the Atlantic sea-
board through the st. Lawrence river.
I he commanders Of The revenue cut
tiers have been notified by wire to be
in readiness to move as soon as their
general orders are received.
CAPTAIN Shoemaker was Of opinion
that it would require about week for
all of the vessels to reach Hampton
Roads or rather, Norfolk, which will
he their Official rendezvous. AT the
navy yard the vessels will receive
their equipment-guns ammunition,
torpedoes and supplies, and will make
such other preparations as are neces-
sary for fighting service.
All of the vessels are first rate sea-
going craft and all Of them are fitted
with small but effective batteries.
Their speed varies from fourteen to
twenty knots. All officers of the reve-
nue. cutter service now on duty with
the life-saving service are being with
drawn to-day and assigned to duty on
the vessels ordered TO Norfolk. Their
orders are made Immediately effective
in every case. and they will report to
the commanding officers Of the ships
as soon as the vessels arrive at Nor
folk.