The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-01
NAVAL BASE OF SUPPLIES
QUESTION UP FOR CONSIDERA-
TON BEFORE MIR. LONG
emergency Routine Work Reing
Largely Disposed OF, the Depart
ment Is Turning It's Attention to
the broader Problems Involved
IN Naval Campafgn-C1nims of
New Orleans Strongly Urged.

the broader Problems Involved
In Naval OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
New Orleans Strongly Urged.
WASHINGTON, March 81. - The
most important action taken by the
naval department today was the deter
mlration to have the naval militia of
the several states prepared for inme-
dlate service should this be found nee
essaIy.
This conclusion was the outcome of
a conference of the members of the
naval strategic board during the after
noon. Letters will be sent to the gov
errors and to the adjutant generals of
all states where there are naval MILL
TIA organizations asking them to set In
motion the machinery for drilling and
equipping the state organizations
promptly, so they may be ready within
very lew hours notice of a call to
arms.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt has
charge or all matters pertaining to the
naval militia, and he feels that the re-
Spouse to this request will be hearty
and prompt. The officials express the
nope that there will be a unanimous
sentiment on the part of the employers
to permit such Of their men as are
members Of the militia free oppportu-
WASHINGTON, March 31.-Apparen+-
ly there was no cessation today of the
extraordinary activity which has pre-
vailed at the navy department during
the past month. Now that many of
the emergency preparations are well
under way so far as the department
proper is concerned, more attention is
being devoted to the broa der quest on
a mr. Daic in, q
war.
Under this head comes the establish
ment Of depot to be used as a base
OF supplies, and on tbs matter the
commercial interests of the country
are making themselves heard. The
citizens Of. Louisiana have called forci-
bly, to the attention Of the navy de-
ra1tment the merits of New Orleans.
Today Senator McEnery and Repre-
sentatiYes Meyer, Ogden and Davey
called on Secretary Long and supple
plemented the representation Of mer-
chants who were here last week urging
the selection of New Orleans as a base
of supplies. They said the city, Being
situated some distance from the gulf,
was reasonably safe from attack by a
fleet, and being a railroad center and
situated on the Mississippi river grain
and other supplies could be shipped
there Ia great abundance. The secre-
tary did not commit himself.
The dele cation also spoke to the sec
retaIy in regard to the question CT de-
Tense fer the city of New Orleans, but
the secretary expressed the opinion
that with a formidable fleet in the
gulf and such Notifications as are al
ready in existence the city was well
protected.
Representatives McMillin (Tenn,), IN
derwood and Wheeler (Ala.) and Leste r
Ga) also called on Secretary Long to
talk about the selection of a coaling
station on the gulf or the Atlantic
coast somewhere in the neighborhood
of the headquarters Of any fleet opera
tons that might be conducted in that
locality If war should ensue.
Already the department has taken
steps for the establishment of a sta
ton at Tortugas, but as this is made
Quately defended at the present time
little difficulty would be experienced
by hostile fleet in plundering it.
Four places which, in the opinion O:
the delegation, would make desirable
locations for coaling stations were
pointed out to the secretary, viz: Tybee
island, Fort Morgan, Pensacola, Fla.
and Mobile.
1t was said by one of the members
after leaving the secretary that they
were practically agreed upon Tybee is
land as a second choice if their individ-
ual preferences in the selection of a
place could not be acquiesced in by the
department.
Aiming Yachts.
The work incident to the TRANSFORMED
ton of the yachts and tugs recently
purchased for the navy department SO
as to make them practicable for naval
purposes is now well under way. The
alterations and changes necessary are
being rushed with all possible speed
and orders have been issued to employ
a sufficient number of men to work
night and day, so that no time will be
lost.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
ambassador, called on Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt at the navy department
this afternoon and left his card for
Capt. c. D. Sigsbee, congratulating that
officer upon his escape and bearing
through tout his recent thrilling expe-
rlences in the harbor of Havana.
There was nothing especially signifi-
cant in the movements Of naval YES
sells reported to the navy department
today. The gunboat Wilmington ar
rived at Jacksonville yesterday on her
way to New York for repairs. The
torpedo boat Somers, purchased in Ger
many, arrived at Pillau yesterday on
her way to the United States. The gun
boat Wheeling has left Port Angeles
for Seattle. The cruiser Columbia and
the revenue cutter Morrill, arrived at
Norfolk today.
The Columbia Is attached to the fly
ing squadron, and is in complete read
mess for any service it may be called
upon to perform. Her sister ship, the
Minneapolis, now fitting out at League
Island. is expected to join the squad
ron at Hampton Roads in a day or
two.
The gunboat Marietta, Of the Pacific
squadron, arrived at Callao, Peru, to-
day. Although not so admitted, it is
generally understood that she is bound
for Key West. The same is true Of the
battleship Oregon, which is expected
to arrive at Callao this week. These
vessels have been informed Of the pres
ence of the Spanish torpedo boat Tene-
rario on the east coast of South Amer
lea, and have been warned to be on
their guard against her while in those
waters.
Won by Orioles.
CHARLESTON, s. c., March S1.-BaIti-
more Won from Charleston today by a score
of II to 8. The weather was too cold for
good ball playing Innings:
R.HE.
Charleston II 1 01 0-S s
Baltimore - 0 0 2 L 0 5 Oil 70 5
Batteries. Jones and Goodhart; Clark and