The record-union., 1898-03-25
Causes Much Anxiety in Department
Circles at Washington.
Captain Sampson Appointed to the Command
of the Squadron at Key West, Vice
Admiral SiCard, Granted Leave
on Account Of III Health.

day before the arrival of the report OF
the Maine court of inquiry was one of
unexampled activity in all official quar-
ters. Advices came early that the Span
ish torpedo flotilla had sailed from the
Canaries for Porto Rico, and from this
moment the most energetic warlike
measures followed one another in con-
slant succession.
The movement of this feet has been
watched with the keenest interest. as 1t
was felt to involve serious possibilities
which might compel the United States
Government to protest against the
movement as of a hostile character. I'M
mediately upon the receipt of the dis
patch from one of our naval attaches
abroad. briefly announcing the sailing or
the fleet the fact was made known to
the President, and an earnest confer
ence was held between him and Secre-
tarv Long and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. The seriousness of the
movement was fully considered, and the
President was advised that naval STRAIT
egists regarded it as essential that this
torpedo fleet 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 Polo Bernaben, called at the State
Department and spent some time with
Judge Day. It was naturally inferred
that the approach Of the Spanish flo
tilla was one of the subjects referred
to. Whether, however, there was any
suggestion against the move was not
disclosed by either Judge Day or the
Spanish Minister. both of whom main
tanned the strictest reticence regarding
the conference, and refused to speak
concerning it.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Following the flotilla announcement,
important news followed rapidly. The
first was this announcement by Secre-
tary Long indicating the placing of our
naval squadron and fleet on a war foot
ing.
Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. much to the regret of the Navy
Department, and altogether on account
of his health.
Captain Sampson has been made
commander of the fleet at Key West.
Captain Evans has been ordered to
take command of the battleship Iowa.
The orders to the squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not yet been issued
Although the announcement did not
state so, it soon became known that
Commodore W. Schley was slated to
command the flying squadron" This
announcement was recognized at once
as of unusual Importance at this juno
ture. Admiral Sicard has been in COM
mapd Of the fleet at Key West through
out the critical period ofthe Maine dis
aster. Captain Sampson has been in
command of the Iowa. but more recently
has been conspicuous before the public
as President of the Maine Court of In
quiry. Captain Robley Evans is better
known as Fighting Bob
termination to create joint commission
from the War and Navy Departments,
s as to bring them into harmonious ac-
ton on all measures. Captain Barker,
the naval aide Of Secretary Long, was
designated to represent the Navy De-
partment in this common plan of action.
The representative of the War Depart
ment has not yet been named. It will
not be necessary for these two officers
to leave Washington. as they can best
arrange a plan Of action in conference
with bureau chiefs of the two depart
mcnts here.
MORE VESSELS PURCHASED
Then, at the close OF the day came an
announcement that the Navy Depart
ment had succeeded in purchasing stea n
yachts and four tugs, presumably at or
near New York for use in the auxiliary
naval fleet The boats are about 400
tons each, and in an emergency would
be suitable as torpedo boats The
yachts purchased are among the heetest
along the Atlantic coast, and are said
to be somewhat similar to the May
flower. recently purchased from the
Ogden Goelet estate This acquisition
To the navy is regarded as an excep-
tionally valuable one at the present
time, as the greatest need is felt for