The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-25

FIGHTING BOB" EVANS.
last sleeper on the train and deftly
avoided the crush Of citizens by alight-
ing at the upper end of the platform
and going across the tracks. All were
thoroughly tired, and Commander
Mark was asleep in the corner Of the
seat when the train pulled in.
The party was met at the steps Of the
car by Cadet Ward, of the navy de-
partment, who was the sole repre-
sentative Of Secretary Long. He in
formed Commander Mark that the
secretary would not receive the report
at once, and escorted the party to the
hack stand. Lieutenant Hood, as the
most muscular member of the party,
carried the bulky document In white
canvass bag slung under his arm. 1t
must have weighed 10 or 20 pounds,
without it's carrying case, and porteud-
ed endless reams of complica ted tes-
timony to be digested by the admin
istration before the next step In the
progress of the Maine incid Mt can be
taken.
That the whole party carrying the
report was armed was demonstrated
In a rather theatrical way just as they
were about to get into the carriages
The crowd closed around the party and
jostled them considerably. Some one
ran against the end of the baG In which
the report was concealed. Quick as a
fash Lieutenant Hoods hand went
back to his hip, and Lieutenant jun
gen laid his hand on the butt of a
revolver that was sticking from his
side pocket. The movements were
sufficient to prevent further jostling.
On being driven to the Ebbitt House
the whole party retired, first having
ordered some light refreshments to
their rooms.
Young Mark was deputed as a sort
of a press committee, and met all in
quirers with the stereotyped reply,
81 don't know" to every question. 1t
may be said, however, that the report
In due process of law must first be
delivered to the secretary of the navy.
1t will then be submitted to President
Mckinley, upon whose decision Its
future migrations viii depend.
The last day before the arrival of the
report was one Of uneXampled activ-
ity in all official quarters. AdYices
came early that the Spanish torpedo
fleet had sailed from the Canaries for
Porto Rico, and from this moment
the most energetic warlike measures
followed one another in constant sue
cession. The movement of this feet
had been watched with the keenest
interest, as it was felt sure TO involve
serious possibilities which might compel
the United States government to pro-
test against the movement as of a hos
tile character.
Immediately upon the receipt Of the
official dispatch announcing the sailing
OF the fleet the fact was made known
to the president, ana ar earnest con-
ference was held between him and
Secretary Long and Assistant Secre-
tary RooseVent. The seriousness of the
movement was fully considered, and
the president was advised that naval
strategists regarded IL as essential that
this torpedo fleet should not be al
| lowed to reach western waters. What
II any, conclusion was reached is not
known. Later in the day the Spanish
minister, Senior Polo de Bernabe, callec
at the state department and spent
some time with Judge Day II was
| naturally inferred that the approach
of the Spanish netilla was one of III,
subjects referred to. Whether, how
ever, there was any suggestion agains
the move was not disclosed by eithe
Judge Day or the Spanish minister.
Following the fotilla announcement
| important news followed rapidly. Th
| first was this announcement by Sec
retary Long, indicating the placing
of our squadron and fleet on a wa
footing;
admiral sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret of tn
navy department, although on accoun
OF his health. Captain Sampson ha
been made commander OF the fleet a