The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-04

Bulletins from Madrid Read with In
terest by Naval Officers.

terest by Naval Officers.
WASHINGTON, April S.-Secretary Long
did not visit the Navy Department to-day,
but his mail was sent to his residence. AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt was at the de-
partment for a short time attending to his
correspondence. A number of naval officers
and clerks were at their desks, principally
those who have charge of active operations
and the preparations that are progressing
for equpping and supplying the navy. The
naval officers read with interest and dis
cussed the Associated Press Madrid bulletin
regarding the movement of Spanish ships
and torpedo fiotilla. 1t was said that the
1otilla perhaps had encountered bad wealth
er If it had attempted to sail direct for
Porto Rico, and might have been driven to
the Verde islands. 1t was also said that ex-
perienced navigators were of the opinion
that the f1otilla had taken the course it had
in order to avoid adverse winds and find a
better course by way of the Verde islands
than by taking direct route. This course
would save coal, as sail power could be
used to advantage. Some naval Officers
were of the opinion that they could not trust
wholly to Madrid information concerning
the movements of Spanish war vessels at
present, especially If the Spanish admiralty
thought advantage would be gained by mis-
leading the American Navy Department.
Both the war and navy departments have
been considering bases of supplies in the
event of hostilities, and all available ports
on the south and gulf coasts have received
attention. The general belief is that the
gun oTerS better places than the Atlantic
coast. Pensacola, Tampa. Mobile and New
orleans are all believed to be available No
one place will be depended upon. The water
clV L11~-- no
~ feet; Tampa, 20 feet, and the mississippi
20 feet. This is the low water entrance 1t
Is not intended that the big war vessels
should be taken into these places to receive
supplies. They will be coaled, provisioned
and receive communication from lighters
Whlch can be sent over the bars into the
narDofS. 1t is regarded as impracticable to
attempt to get the big ships up to wharves
ana, moreover, their coming to land would
not tend to increase the efficiency and dis
cipllne OF the crew, It is. said that Punta
Gordo, further south than Tampa is being
considered by the War Department as
point for embarking troops and supplies in
case an army was to be sent to Cuba. Light
oraIr vessels could easily enter this bay for
Such purpose. l5 Il 5e4
It is probable that negotiations will be
opened by this government with Denmark
TO allow cable messages to come over the
french line from the Danish island of St.
THOMAS to the United States With the
Leeward islands, of which ST. Thomas is .
center as the probable center of any naval
operations Which may result from the pres
I r.
ttance to secure cable facilities not CON
ttrolied by Spain. AT present the cable line
touching at Porto Rico, and subject to
spanish control, is the only means of com
nnnlcating with these islands The French
cable lands at ST. Thomas but the
SoaIlon IS merely for testing purposes, and
messages are not received or delivered III
IS now proposed to have this sta ton turned
INTO mt, a regular bureau, in which case the
cable communication with any naval rem
dezVous there. The establishment of the
bureau will require the consent of Den
mark, and it is probable this will be asked
through the United States minister at Co
penhagen within the next few days. 1t is
understood that the Danish government did
not view with favor the recent propositions
for the purchase of the Island of ST Thorn
as by the United States for use as a coal
and at this time would be an unfriendly act
towards Spain This view was commune
Gated to Washington, and was doubtless
made known to the State Department
through the Spanish minister here.
Inere was comparative quiet about the
White House and the departments to-day.
The members of the Cabinet did not call
on the President during the early part OF
the day, nor did they visit the departments.
Sunday quietude. Assistant Secretary Day
being the only forenoon caller, remaining
with the President for about a half hour.
Several of the higher officers of the State
Department and clerks in charge of trans
lating cipher cables were on duty. Some
cable messages were received during the
forenoon, but it was stated that none OF
them were on matters of much Importance
1t was stated that the department had no
official information about the consuls of
the United States going to Havana for safe
ty. Assistant Secretary Day went to the
state Department early in the afternoon
and immediately began debating to his ste
nographer. He gave orders to admit no
one, and would not be interrupted for any
purpose. Other officers of the department
remained in their rooms during the day.
The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius left here
to-day for Norfolk. 1t is expected that
from there she will go to Kew West