Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-05
it is sedulously concealing, may be set
down pure moonshine.
Movements of Sampson's Fleet.

Gus reports that are published this morning
concerning movements of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet People who from their official
position might be supposed to share in the
confidence of the administration are credit
ed with the statement that the admiral has
gone to seize Porto Rico, and this state
ment is made after conference with the
executive
On the other hand, it is asserted with al
most equal positiveneSs that Simpsons s
ironciads have gone to meet the Oregon
and bring her in safety to the north
Still another story is to the effect that
the admiral has gone to seize MatanZas, for
use as a base of operations. The officials
refuse absolutely to make public the plan
of campaign and thus give aid to the enc
my. Therefore these conflicting theories as
to the plans of the fleet can be judged only
in the light of their probability when view
ed in connection with the usual methods of
warfare. Thus to lombard MatanZas with
out at the same time being able to land a
sufficient force to seize and hold the place
would seem to be very bad strategy, and
panied by no troop transports would seem
to negative the idea that he had either gone
to attack Matanzas or to seize Porto Rico
To attempt the latter would also require a
strong landing force, in view of the number
of Spanish troops on the island. In addi-
ton. it is suggested that Admiral Sampson
would be very 10th to run the risk of hav-
ing one or more of his best ships completely
disabled by attacking forts needessly as the
result might be to leave his fleet inferior
to the Spanish force.
Addition to Flying Squadron.
A significant movement is the addition
of the warship New Orleans late the Abre-
uall of the Brazilian navy TO Commodore
Sclrleys squadron at Hampton Roads in
place cf the flyer Columbia. This seems
to indicate a complete change in the char
acter of the squadron, which instead of
being a flying squadron in the ordinary
sense, Las now assumed the character of
an iron-clad battle fleet. Without being a.
speedy at first organized, Commodore
Schley's squadron is now probably able 10
meet On even terms, at least, the formd-
able Spanish armored cruisers which sailed
from Cape Verde for an unknown destina-
ticn. In view OF this action of lhe depart
ment and particularly if Commodore
Schley should be reinforced by soma tor
pedo vessels, it may be assumed tnat he
will reinforce the fleet in quest of the
Spanish squadron.
Naval Recruiting.
Chief Engineer Harrie Webster, II mem-
Ter of the naval recruiting board, which
has been gathering up material for the
personnel of the navy in the west and
south. arrived at the Navy Department
this morning. He is just from Norfolk,
where he landed 1O4 good men, who mad
been enlisted by the board. Commander
Hawley and DR.. Persons the other men,
beTs of the board, with Boatswain Larkin
late of the Maine. an attendant, have ar
rived in Detroit, where they will tonlorr Nv
open recruiting headquarters. The board
has met with success in its undertaking.
Some excellent men were obtained al New
Orleans, where the first Office was cpencd.
Galveston, the next recruiting port, also
furnished a contingent AMI It was noted
that the applicants there were better quail
fled physically than at any otner point,
the average number passed being so rer
cent, as against an average of so per
cent elsewhere. At Cleveland the board
took in about an even number of deck
hands and machinists. The lO4 men taken
down by Mr.. Webster came from t-h;ca 20
and are of good character, also about
evenly divided between the two classes,
deck hands end machini;;s. From Detroit
the board goes to Sheboysar Wis. where
it has been informed 1J) good men are
ready to enlist
Lieut.. A. III. Cobb of the navy has been
assigned to duty as secretary of the naval
strategic board, of which Rear Admiral
Sicard is president, succeeding in that duty
Mr. William Howell, private secretary to
the assistant secretary of the navy.
To BE the supply.
The steamship Illinois. recently acquired
by the Navy Department, is being fitted
out as refrigerdting supply ship. and Will
hereafte: be known as the Supply. 1t was
necessary to select new name for this
vessel, because of the fact that there IS
already battle ship Illinois in the navy.
The Secretary of the Navy has decided
II make no change in the name of the
swift yacht Aileen, recently purchased in
New York for naval purposes.
Mr.. RooseveIfs Departure.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt will leave
here tomorrow for San Antonio, Tex. for
the purpose of assuming mis- new duties as
lieutenant colonel of the regiment of
mounted rifiemen, commanded by Col.
Leonard Wood. He will practically sever
LIS oHicldl connecI0n with the Navy De-
p&rtment at the close of business today.
although his resignation may not take ef-
feet until after ;he appointment and quail
incation of his successor. Who this will be
has not yet been disclosed, but there is a
strong impression that it may be either ex-
Representative Robinson of Pennsylvania
or ex-kepresentative Allen of Massacbu-
sets.
Rpafring the Cincinnati.
1t having been represented to the Navy
Department that the cruiser Cincinnati is
In need of repairs to her boilers and VEN
uiating apparatus, authority has been CIV
en- for the withdrawal of that vessel from
further service with the biockading SQUAD
ron on the northern coast of Cuba. in or
der that she may SO to the Norfolk navy
yard for an overhauling. The work to be
done is not very extensive, and will prob
ably be completed in time to enable the
Cincinnati to resume her place on the Gu
ban station by the end of the month The
Cincinnati is one of the best Ships of her
class in the navy, and has been selected as
the flagship of Commodore Watson, who
has been assigned to the command of one
of the divisions Of Admiral Sampson's fleet