The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-28
THE NAVY DONs WAR PAINT
SOmber Hues Indicate the I'm
minence Of HOStilitieS.
UNEASINESS AT FORT MONROE
Her Hig Gums Would he Intellectual
characterization for Rapid Fire
Guns-Actiyity in the Department:
of the Gulf.

Newport News, Va, March 27.-Wires
have been laid from Capes st. Charles
and Henry across the channel leading
into Chesapeake Bay and Hampton
Roads and submarine mines or torpe-
does may be attached to them with very
little trouble or delay at any time. This
work will no doubt be carried to compile
ton as quickly as possible, because it has
just leaked out that Fort Monroe would
be utterly ineffective against the Span
ish torpedo fotilla, should it make an
effort to pass that fertilization. Col.
Frank commandant at the fort is au-
thority for this statement. He says the
swift little agents Of destruction could
laugh at the large guns at Old Point
There is not now at the fort a single one
of the rapid-fire guns which are effective
against torpedo boats and the officers
there are by no means pleased with the
outlook. Col. Frank has made requisi-
ton for rapid-fire guns and says he must
have them at once If he is expected to
stop anything that attempts to pass.
The uncertainty regarding the move
ments of the Spanish torpedo flotilla is
causing much uneasiness at the fort, as
the officers are afraid the hostile fleet
may turn up in Hampton Roads before
they are ready for them. The mortar
batteries and new disappearing guns at
the fort will be ready for service on
Tuesday.
Should war be declared it would be
terrible blow to the proDrietors of the
Hotel Chamberlain, as the magnificent
! structure, erected at a cost Of nearly
| 81, 00o000, will be a complete loss. The
building was erected upon the assump-
ton that the United States would always
be at peace with foreign nations. The
Hygeia will not suffer as badly. That
building was put up in sections and
may be taken down and carried out of
danger in comparatively short time
/ Both of these hotels We're built with the
understanding that they were to be RACED
| in forty-eight hours in the event of war
| On board the cruiser BROOKLYN there
has been great activity today, painters
swinging. from upper decks of the crack
| cruiser have transformed the glittering
white sides and yellow smokestacks into
| dull leaden color. The battleship Mas
sachusetts, which arrived here late last
nigh. will be treated to a similar coat
| tomorrow. ,s--
VIII Be Painted. Black
Philadelphia, March 27. - a supply of
black paint was put aboard the cruisers
| Columbia and Minneapolis today The
vessels will be painted when they reach
Norfolk. The Columbia leaves tomorrow
and the Minneapolis. it is thought, will.
in all probability, leave at the same time.
The old monitors CatskiH and Nahant
/ will be taken out Of drydock tomorrow
! and sent to Boston in a few days They
arc in fair condition. The trip outside
will develop their sea powers
Fort Sam Houston Re-Enforced
San Antonio, March 27-The order for
the immediate abandonment of Fort
Clark, Texas and the transfer of the
troops stationed there to Fort Sam
Houston, was today issued by Gen. VIII
liam II. Graham. commander of the de-
partment of the Gulf Fort Clark is
headquarters of the Twenty-third Infan-
try.
Seven companies of the Twenty-third
Infantry and two troops of Fifth Caval,
~ are stationed there. The Fort Clark
reservation embraces five thousand acres
of land.
New York Naval Reserves
New York, March 27-Orders for the
Naval Reserves to go to Philadelphia af.
ter the monitors Nahant and Mason
which were expected today, did not ar
rive. 1t is thought the monitors will be
ready early this week About forty OF
the naval militia reported at the New
Hampshire today ready to go TO Phila
delphia. They went away when they
learned that no orders had come
Major General Roe said today that 81
far as the National Guard was con
cerned, no orders had been received.
The Ioyva's Movements.
Key West, March 27-The battleshiI
Iowa left her anchorage this morning
gone to Dry Tortugas presumably 70
coal and also for additional ammunition
taken there from Tampa by the Marble
hood. There is not enough water to per
nit her coming to the wharf here an,
there is too much swell these days 70
coaling from a barge at her usual an
chorage six miles west of here. The us
ual number of officers were ashore thi
afternoon.
New Regiment of MiIitia
Cape May, N. J., March ply reques
of several South Jersey citizens the gov
ernor, it is stated, has decided TO hav
a new regiment OF militia organized fror
towns in this section.
The New Orleans Sails.
London, March 27.-The United State
cruiser San Francisco and the cruise
New Orleans which. under the name o
Amazonas, was purchased by this Gov
eminent from Brazil. sailed from Grave
send for New York today.