New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-12
THE SQUADRON AT OLD POINT
NO ORDERS FOR COMMODORE sCHLEY
TO SAIL.
ST. PAUL TAKES ON AMMUNGTION-WELL-
KNOWN MEN IN PENNSYLVANIA
GUARD on DUTY AT NEW
PORT NEWS.
rBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRrRrNr.l

Newport News Va May 1.-THE "Coaling"
Squadron Is still at Old Point Comfort. That is
about all of positive nature that can he said
Of Commodore Schley's command There are
more rumors to-day about early farewell to
Hampton Roads. but II there is any foundation
for these reports 1t is impossible to confirm
them by the officers Of the squadron.
private telegram from Washington this
afternoon stated that sailing orders for the fleet
could be expected at any minute now. as the
Department had decided to send Commodore
schley to Cuba to direct the bombardment Of
Havana and Porto Rico. bur the standing OF
the sender Of this message Is not known, there
ia no reason TO believe that 1t was inspired
through an flcial source. The work Of coaling
the New-Orlcans has been pushed with re-
doubled energy to-day, and 1t Is probable that
she will be in good condition for a long voyage
by tomorrow morning
TRYING TO KEEP NEWS SECRET.
The embargo news at Old Point and In
Newport News Is a farce to some extent as the
correspondents manage to get Just about as
much information before the corpora
lions and private concerns handling Government
contracts We're instructed to give out no In
formation about the movements Of naval vessels.
the times of departure or expected arrival or
the amount II coal to be taken on. The eX-
elusive story published in The Tribune last
Thursday about the detaching OF the Columbia
and the detailing Of the New-Oreans to replace
her in the Flying Squadron was really the cause
Of the investigation into the sources Of informa-
ton not supposed to go 70 the pubic IL Is
learned from a trustworthy source that the
Navy Department has been anxious 10 know
how the news leaked out, and since that time the
officers of the squadron and railway and ship
yard officials have been further cautioned
against speaking too freely TO newspaper men.
Twenty tons OF ammunition were transferred
from the warehouse Of the Adams Express
Company this morning to the auxiliary cruiser
St Paul. still lying in the stream taking coal.
This is another piece Of information that was
no, intended for publication. This Is the same
ammunition that came from Jersey City TO the
shipyard Yesterday at the rate OF sxty-fve miles
an hour The high explosives were sent to the
sh,pyard as bluff and in the dead Of night
brought out again and transferred 10 the
express company's Offices. The rest OF the am
rnunition will be sent aboard the 81. Paul to-
morrow morning.
PENNSYLVANIA GtARDsMEN on DUTY.
The first detachment Of volunteer troops to
be mustered in the service Of the United States
and ordered from their own State special
over the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad from
Camp Hastings Mount Gretna. Penn. Battery
4 Captain B. H. Warburton. and Battery G.
Cantaln G. Waters the crack artillery organiza-
lions Of the Pennsylvania State National Guard,
left Camp Hastings at 3:45 o'clock yesterday
afternoon; at the corresponding hour to-day
they were quartered at Camp Warburton ad-
Joining the shipyard. comfortably az camp
life will permit
There are eighty-one men In Battery A. made
up OF the most exclusive set Of National GUARDS
men from Phladelp hia. sons OF millonaires ana
men Of high social standing. Battery nails
from Phpnixvllle. and carries seventy not OF
such proud family connection. but aole-Dodied
men and all ready to obey dutys call. Inc
camp is situated on high bluff overlooking the
historic James River and the mammoth plant
OF the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
dock Company.
The batteries have been stationed at Newport
News for the purpose OF protecting the Govern
nents interests at the shipyard TINS precAu-
ton being regarded necessary In view or the
,a,go amount ~ important Nork on hand. The
artillerymen will be stationed inside ana OUTSIDE
,be ward and will be expected u Keep an eye
on the hattle-shpa kearsarge. hehtucKy anu
Illinois and the Yosemite. piNlr an" pulia.o
os lone a. they are here. The batteries brought
eight Inch guns with them. which are now
mounted on the bluff commanding the RIVER ana
the shpyard 4, .ho CO..,
~ the Treasurer Of Philadelphia. ana a son IN
law az John Wanamaker Sergeant NILS Is
49,, -, no former commandant OF West POINT,
and sergeant church is the famous Pennsyl-
vanla football player ,-, ,.o,.,,,..
The Yosemite IS still at the sh'pyard awaiting
'..i,., Uo,xalrs orders The Dixie VIII be
DELAYED untn next week. The cruiser Newark
is now in the drydock at the Navy yard. ana
,ni not he commissioned for n week or ten
~ - o, rho only small craft at the yard are
me gi,nhoats Maple and America 1t IS under
stood that General Frank, commandan' OF rort
N,rroe will in a few days receive Two OF more
W ~, ,i.t,,oi batteries with which g man his
s,rnnrh"ld The fort is now short OF eXpe-
r,enred men and the presence Of two batteries
~ trained volunteer ar,illerymen VIII De WEI
come relief.