The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-14
Steamers ST. Paul and St, Louis
Have Been Purchased,
FLYING SQUADRON GOES TO SEA
1Tndcr sealed Orders But Believed TO
BE Only a Short Practice Cruise.
Hope of Mediation Dwindiing
Away-Rcports of Outbreaks
i'm the Philippines-fOr-
cign Comment.

WASHINGTON. u. c., April 2.-This
WAS "a day of stirring activity at the
Navy and War Departments. Anucipat-
Inr decisive action by Congress. the ma
rninery of the military and naval
branches of tine Government was carly
pst in motion. and events OF grave sig
n.gr7ncc followed in quick succession.
I'm every bureau The work of preparation
went on with u enthusiasm ond rush
that was iu marked contrast 90 the
Ietharey that had Characterized the big
granite building since Monday With ii
su there was an added secrecy and reti-
r,uce ou tlc pan, of officials to discuss
il. war.ke movements.
TIN. first event to become luoWn was
'rc ACQUISITION bog the Navy Departments
1f tAa American linc steamships ST.
Louis and ST. Paul. and coupled with ihe
announcement came the information that
.u all probability Captain Sigshee would
.. placed in command Of one and Captain
Goodrich of tle other.
GENERAL LEE CALLED ~.
EarIr Iu the forenoon the Naval Srdte-
seue Board went into session, aud cu-ed
,9nsuI-G .uurll ice into the conference.
The session was long, "ud devoted To-
thor0u-l discussion of offensive tnd
defensive movements iu Cloan waters
General I.. being able to give The BOARD
much valuable information regarding the
d.,eces of Havana.
Cr0wiug closely 1pon the heels oi
these events was the news that the l\-
ue squadron had raised anchors ana put
rl sea-. This fact caused intense sNc.te-
mout in au quarters and finally elected
+lo official statement that the squadron
had merely gone 20 sea for short prac-
uce cruise
SPANISH FLEET
There was an evident anxiety ON the
part Of the naval officials for news of the
spanish fleet. but up 10 late hour MOTH
ms had been received of any movement
u that quarters.
10 was rumored that the spanish Ves-
sells IL Porto Rico had sailed, but this
could not be confirmed At the War De-
u1rtmout various details attendant upon
tho pre-arrauged plans for moving the
troops were put iu shape. but matters in
This regard are so well in hand that no
new orders were issued.
NEW YORN. April 13-Tho ST. Paul
sailed from Southampton April Wn Tor
New York. and is due here ON FRIDAY
1Ee So. Louis arrived at southampton
this morning from New olh, ana ll sue
returns according 20 the schedule of the
American Liue will san from Sou'Hai'p-
ton on Saturday next o., co,
Tine tonnage of these vessels is ll.0-9
GROSS and aS14 net cach. Ihey are 1"''
feet long. C0 feet beam ana 3l4 rect deep'
and have twin screws, ne nuns ,,,'.,.l are Vl
-tceI with ten Waterteht compdI 'mtnla
and four decks. and are fitted Tor carrying
,r.far baUa-t The engines OF the 81.
Paul are of 2JO0O horsepower and or ine
rHtaf
I1arI's sDppd record is 2lOo Knots per
hour The ST. Louis record is 2le' Knots
DESPITE Tie utmost precaution, it de-
veloped shortly before noon that the 1y-
ing squadron had been ordered 10 move
from Hampton Roads. The hrst report
WAS that the squadron would san under
sealed orders. going south, and occasloheo
much excitement
ApDreciating the deep significance thai
,,.,s likely TO Doe attached 10 the move, a
guietening and cautionary semi-ohciai
statement was made that the squadron
would 20 out Tor practice cruise of for
ty-eient hours.
MAY BUY THE YORKTOWN.
Probably the most significant action az
the Navy Department was the issue or
instructions to- the naval auxiliary board
,t New York for the immediate purchase
OF the ocean ercy-houuds 81. Paul ana 81.
Louis. of the American line. the purchase
~ another nrst-claes auxiliary cruiser
probably the Yorktown. OF the old Do
minlon lire. and the purchase of the Bra
zi.ian cruiser Nictheroy The last nam-
I'D vessel is about 90 be inspected and the
result viii determine the question of her
acouiremcnt by the United States navy.
The purchase of the ST. Paul and the
So. Louis is probably the most expensive
Transaction consummated by the Navy
Department since the beginning OF the
war excitement The amount paid for
them IS an official secret but IS known
TO De somewhere in the neighborhood OF
S. 0000J0
The report made by the Rogers AuNil-
larry Board for the armament of these
steamers provides for two siN-inch rapid
fire and ten 5-inch rapid-hre guns for the
main battery. OF twelve 6-iuch ior the Sec
ondary battery. The steering gear of
these vessels as well as the magazines
Mil be protected by q belt of coal with
rush work The vessels will be- in readiness
.rcss for service in ahout thir'v days.
CONFERRED ABOUT CUBA.
Another event was the conference last