Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-04
NO FLYING SQUADRON THE SUPER
IOR OF OURS.
SPAIN IS FAR 0UTCLAsSED
HER BEST SHIPS INFERIOR IN GUNS
TONNAGE AND SPEED.
Greatest Advantage of American
Squadron Is in Thickness of
ArmOr, CaIiber of Guns and
the Fighting Quali-
ties of the Men.

Hampton Roads. April 3.-Ths practical
completion Of flying squadron OF the
American navy by the assignment Of Com
modore w. S. Schley to take charge, and
his acceptance, is an epoch-making event
in the history of the present difficulty.
No other action of this government since
the Maine disaster SO actively determines
the fact that actual warfare has been ex-
pected. The North Atlantic squadron is
always organized and the appointment OF
Captain Sampson to its command is but
the natural sequence of the retirement Of
Rear Admiral Sicard from active duty.
So, too. the assignment of ships Of war
to that squadron or to the Pacific squad
ron are but moves toward the mobilization
that might occur at any time. But fly
ing squadrons are the direct outcome Of
dangerous conditions; are not necessities
of standing navies in times of peace, and
are expeditions of an extraordinary nature
created only when the government fully
decides that there Is fear Of attack or
that the time is ripe for an attack from
here. 1t is, therefore, not only possible
but highly probable that the new Ameri-
can flying squadron has work cut out
for it.
The fleet that will bear this euphonious
can be gathered together by any nation.
Egotstically in favor of the United States
as that statement may be, the facts bear
it out. In average rate of speed in ar
mCred protection, in caliber and number OF
guns, and in fighting quality and disci-
pline of men it is superior, point of num-
bers being equal, to any organization of
like nature that can be formed by
foreign power.
When on Monday morning Commodore
Schley raised his flag on the Brooklyn, evil
dence of an unmistakable character was
apparent that every man, from stoker to
commandant, was not only fearless of bat
tie but courted 1t and hoped 1t would come.
w. s. Schley, commodore commanding the
fleet. is a well built man of about 50 years
OF age, with general appearance denot-
ing thoughtfulness and diplomacy, coupled
with certain characteristics which Indicate
force of character and quickness of action,
when developments require those features
large-headed and kindly-faced, a smiling
eye. evidently not given to temper, quick
of answer. searching inquiry, this man, as
he treads the captains bridge of the Brook
lyn in a naval uniform or shakes hands
with you in the lobby of hotel in civilian
clothes, impresses you as the firm, unyied-
ing warrior, Just the man to take partial
orders for a flying squadron and complete
them himself with credit to his country. In
the atmosphere which to-day surrounds
him there is a spirit akin to that German
song which says:
I'VE have all had more than enough Of love-
And now for a song Of hatred
In the makeup of the flying squadron,
speed and fighting qualities have been con-
sidered. summary of the points in COM
parison with those of the best boats that
Spain can offer in making up similar
squadron, follows: