Evening journal., 1898-07-11
MISREPRESENTATION
Massachusetts to Take the
Iowa's Place.
ALL THE GOLFERS TO BE ARMED.
Coalships WIN Sail For Haitian Waters
Today-Fleet Expected TO Start
Tor Spain July 49, CANA
ra's Return to Cadiz.

WASHINGTON, July 11.-Orders have
been issued by Secretary Long substi-
tutng the battleship Massachusetts fot
the battleship Iowa in the eastern
squadron.
Instructions have also been given to
Commander Brownson, commanding the
Yankee, now at Tompkinsville. direct
ing him TO proceed with the vessel un-
der his command to Hampton Roads,
from which point he will convoy the
colliers attached TO Commodore Wat
sons fleet to Haitian waters. where he
VIII joint the remainder Of the squad
ron. The department officials believe
that the squadron will leave on July Is.
In detaching the Iowa from COmmo-
dore Watson's command and assigning
the Massachusetts to take her place the
secretary acted i'm accordance with a
recommendation from Rear Admiral
sampson, who has been in consultation
with Commodore Watson as to the
number and character Of vessels which
should form the eastern squadron, and
1t Is known that Commodore Watson
acquiesced in the change.
Official confirmation of the press re-
ports regarding the return Of Camara's
squadron has reached Washington. Up
on arrival in Spanish waters the au-
thorities learn that every effort will be
made to strengthen Admiral Camara's s
command in order that it may be in a
position to give battle to the American
squadron.
Towing the torpedo boat destroyers
Camara's fleet consumed eight days
making the distance from Cadiz TO Port
Said. 1t left Cadiz in the afternoon of
June IS and arrived at its destination
in the afternoon Of June 26. The dis
tance Is 1920 miles, so that the average
rate Of speed made by the squadron
was ten knots. Officials believe that the
fleet Will leave Port Said today, so that
1t will return to Spain about a week
from tomorrow, or about the same time
that the eastern squadron starts on its
mission. Commodore Watson's first
duty will be to meet and destroy the
Spanish fleet in order that his future
operations may not be hindered by what
remains of SPANS navy.
Arrangements are being perfected by
the authorities whereby in case any Of
our colliers should b7 lost coal can be
secured from other sources. Even sup
posing any of our ships should be dis
abled" said an official today. they can
p4N AiAN0 a A AtlAAAl VI lAlEllsl port ana
make repairs and can take on board a
sufficient supply of coal to enable them
to reach the United States. That Is per-
mitted by the neutrality laws Of both
nations. OF course, after having taken
on coal at neutral port a man-of-wa
could not return to operate against
Spain, but If attacked en- route could
properly defend herself"
While II will be the duty Of the bat.
tleships and auxiliary cruisers with
Commodore Watson to provide the col.
liers and supply ships with protection,
1t Is proposed TO give these vessels an
armament which will enable them tc
defend themselves against torpedo OF
gunboat attack. Orders were given by
Captain Charles O'Neil, chief of the bu.
reau of ordnance, direct that the Del
monico be armed with three IA pounder
rapid fire guns. Each Of the colliers
will have its battery doubled, so that
its armament viii consist of four {
Founders. The work of coaling these
colliers is being pushed with all dis
patch, and the authorities confidently
declare that they viii be in readiness
TO sail from Hampton Roads on Thurs
day next, the date fixed for their de-
/ Darture.