The age-herald., 1898-04-25
DESTINATION OF
 .k@ THE CRUISERS
'-' Minneapolis and Columbia a Mere Matter of News
 paper Conjecture.

Fort Monroe, Va, April 2t-(on Board Flagship Brooklyn.)-For strategic pur poses and for the protection of information that might be of value to the enemy, Com modore schley, of the flying squadron, has established practical censorship over those in his command relative to the d. vulging of the reason for any movement made or to be made by the squadron or in- divldual ships of the squadron. To mo e fully carry out that plan of protection to government interests only commenting ofh- cers are made aware of such movements and the responsibility is thus minimized
 It is for these reasons that the actual destination of the Minneapolis and Colum- bia' is merely a matter of newspaper con lecture The actual mission of the b 2 cruisers is not and will not be made publlc, the navy department, Commodore Schley and the commanders of the vessels pei 1s the sole possessors of Information on tae subject. The conjectures as to the ob . feet for which Commodore Schley ordered them to sea last night are many.
 Protection of the steamship Paris assist anee to the battleship Oregon, capture of Spanish gunboats and convoy for the transport Panther now at Hampton Roads, are some of them. The latter theory is partially discredited because the Panther, with her human freight of nearly 7O0 oft1- cers and marines, lies in safety with the remaining ships of the squadron off Fort Monroe and evidently in no hurry to move. As a matter of fact the Panther itself has some protection, being pretty well armed with eight rapid fire guns which could be used effectively. All of the 7o0 men on board of her are in excellent condition, no patients occupying the sick bay.
 The departure of the Columbia and Min neapolis last night created great deal of
 
 condition the ships of the squadron are in. When the multtudinous duties to be per formed after an order to put to sea Is given are considered thoroughness of dis ciplne and capability of men are in splen- did evidence.
 Tonight the precaution was begun of put ting out patrol fleet of steam cutters fully equipped to fight and to give warning if an enemy approaches.
 The work of strengthening the fortifica- tions at Fort Monroe continued all day with a large working force as did also the work of laying mines in the harbor Where the old eight and ten inch converted rifles used 10 stand will be mounted battery of mod ern rapid fire guns which are expected to command Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay and make it impossible for a torpedo boat of the enemy to enter. These guns, it is thought will be in fighting condition by the end of this week.
 The work is not confined to the fort itself by any means for active preparations Tor a possible conflict are being made at the Pines battery and on the beach of Chesa- pealle bay midway between this battery and the fort Here four new disappearing puns will be mounted behind breastworks of the most modern and substantial kind.
 In addition to this immense battery or smooth bore guns are ready for use and at a range of one mile will prove terribly destructive.
 At Willoughby Spit, opposite Fort Mon roe and which point controls the entrance to Norfolk, Newport News and the James and Potomac rivers. board of naval off, ficers has made an inspection with a view of constructing fort at that point to CO., operate with Fort Monroe.
 It is expected that active operations on the fort will begin this week and be pushed to completion.