The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-25

is HANDED TO PRESIDENT
CONSIDERATION BY THE CABI
NET TO-DAY AT II O'CLOCK.
Be TRANSMITTED TO CONGRESS MONDAY
Admiral SCard Granted Leave and Captain
Sampson Made Commander at Key West
Captain Evans Takes Command Of
the Battle Ship Iowa.
the Battle Ship Iowa.

Captain Evans Takes Command Of
the Battle Ship Iowa.
Washington, d. c., March 24.-Tho
last day before the arrival of the report
of the Maine Court of Inquiry was one
of mexampled activity in all official
quarters. Advices came early that the
Spanish torpedo flOtilla had sailed from
the Canaries for Porto Rico and from
this moment the most energetic waF-like
measures followed one another in con-
slant succession. The movement of this
feet had been watched with the keen
est interest, as it was felt TO involve Sc.
ri0uS possibilities which might compel
the United States government to protest
GgainSt the mOvNncl: as Of hostile
character. Immediately on the receipt
Of the official dispatch from one of cur
Naval attaches abroad, briefly annOunc-
ing the sailing of the fleet. the fact was
made known to the President and an
earnest conference was held between
him and Secretary Long and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt. The seriousness of
The President was advised that Naval
strategists regarded it is essential that
this torpedo feet should not be allowed
TO reach western waters. What, if any
conclusion was reached is not known.
Later in the day the Spanish Minister,
Senior Bernabe called mt the State De
partment and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t was naturally inferred
hat Az af se1, Qn4 L.
was one the subjects referred to.
Whether. however. there was any sug-
gcstion against this move was not dis
closed by either Judge Day or the Span
ism Minister. both of whom maintained
the strictest reticence regarding their
conference.
Following the flotilla announcement,
important news came rapidly. The first
was this announcement by Secretary
Long indicating the placing of our squad
ron and fleet on a war footing:
Admiral Sicard has been granted
leaye, very much to the regret of the
Navy Department. on account of his
health. n'
Captain Sampson has been made
Commander of the fleet at Key West.
Captain Evans has been ordered to take
command of the battle ship Iowa.
'The orders to the squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not yet been issued"
Although the announcement did net
so state. it soon became known that
Commodore w. s. Schley was slated to
command the flying squadron"
This announcement was recognized as
of unusual Importance at this juncture.
Admiral Sicard has been in command
Of the feet at Key West throughout the
critical period of the Maine disaster.
Captain Sampson has been in command
of the Iowa, burt more recently has been
conspicuous before the public as Presi-
dent Of the Maine Court of Inquiry.
Captain Robley Evans is better known
as Fighting Bob"
The next important move was a de
termination to create joint commission
from the War and Navy Departments
30 rs to bring them into harmonious ac-
ti0n on all measures. Captain Barker.
Of the Naval Aide of Secretary Long.
was designated to represent the Navy
Department in this common plan of ac-
ton. The representative of the War De-
partment has mot yet been named. 1t
will not be necessary for these two or
fcers to leave Washington as they can
best arrange a joint plan of action in
conference with the bureau chiefs OF
the two departments here. Then at
the close Of day came an announcement
that the Navy Department had succeed
ed in purchasing eight steam yachts and
four steam tugs, presumably at and
near New York, for use in the auxiliary
Naval fleet. The boats are about 40G
tons each and i'll an emergency would
be suitable as torpedo boats. The yachts
purchased are among the feeteSt along
the Atlantic coast and are said to be
somewhat similar to the Mayfower re-
Gently purchased of the Ogden -Goele5 cs-
tate. This acquisition to the Navy is
regarded as an exceptionally valuable
one mt the present time, as the greatest
need is felt for small craft, suitable as
torpedo and dispatch boats. The names
and amounts paid for the various yachts
and tugs are not disclosed.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance.
Senators and Representatives from both
political parties calling 10 confer with the
President. Among the callers were Sen
ators CnllOm. Fairbanks, Lodge, Aid
rich, Jones of Arkansas. and SpOOner,
and Representative Bailey, the Demo-
cratic floor leader in the House of Rep
resentatives. The uppermost question
at all the conferences was the Maine
disaster and the anticipated action OF
the President in laying the report before
Congress. The conferences showed that
the President still hoped for peace. but
that there would be no abatement of
preparation to meet the other alterna
tive.
The President said to several of his
visitors to-day, in discussing the situa-
tion, that he would 10 everything consis-