Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-13
The Government to Buy the st. Louis
and st. Paul.
OTHER PURCHASES ARE IN VIEW
A Number of New Naval Com.
manders Chosen.
TO TAKE TROOPS TO CUBA

today indicates clearly the belief of the au-
thorities that war is unavoidable and i'm
minent. This is evidently based on infor-
mation as to the probable course Of Con-
gress for the settlement Of the Cuban ques-
ton. There was greater activity in both
the War and Navy Departments today than
has been the case for over a week past.
and everything tended to indicate the gen.
eral belief that the beginning Of hostilities
with Spain will not be postponed many
days.
Probably the most important action at
the Navy Department was the issue Of in
structions to the naval auxiliary board at
New York for the immediate purchase of
the ocean, greyhounds st. Paul and st.
Louis Of the American Line, the purchase
of another first-class cruiser, probably the
Yorktown Of the Old Dominion Line and
the purchase of the Brazilian cruiser Mic
theroy.
The last named vessel is about to be in
spected and the result will determine the
question of her requirement by the United
States navy. The purchase of the st. Paul
and the ST. Louis is probably the most ex-
pensive transaction contaminated by the
Navy Department since the beginning of
the war excitement. These vessels cost
garded as among the best vessels of their
class in the world, being exceeded in speed
only by the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse of
the German line and the Lucania and Cam
pania of the English line. Their impress
ment into the naval service is authorized
by the act under which they were granted
a subsidy for carrying the United States
mails. The amount paid for them is an
official secret, but is known to be some
where in the neighborhood of $5,OO0,0OO.
The st. Paul left Southampton on the 9th
instant and is due in New York on the 18th
instant. The steamer st. Louis is at the
English port and the date of her return is
not stated. These vessels will be armed
and armored at the New York navy yard
and put in condition for naval service as
rapidly as possible. They will probably
serve mainly as commerce destroyers, their
speed and power making them especially
adapted for such service.
There is considerable speculation at the
department regarding the probable COM
manders of these two fine ships. The con-
sensus of opinion, however, is that Capt
Charles G. Sigsbee, the gallant commander
of the ill-starred battle ship Maine will be
assigned to the command of the st. Louis,
and that Capt. Caspar F. Goodrich, presi-
dent of the Naval War College, and now
acting as a member of the naval strategic
board, will be assigned to the command of
the ST. Paul.
Conference With Gen. Lee.
Another significant transaction at the
Navy Department today was conference
lasting over an hour between Consul Cen
eral Lee and the naval strategic board,
composed of Assistant Secretary Roosevelt,
Rear Admiral Walker, retired, Capt. Cas-
par F. Goodrich of the Naval War College
Commander Richardson Clover and Com
mander Crowinshield chief of the bureau
OF navigation. The meeting was held in the
Office OF Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. AL
though the proceedings We're secret it is
known that they related almost wholly to
the military defenses of Cuba and especial
~ OF the port of Havana. General Lees ed
ucat1on and experience naturally give much
weight to his observations of the defenses
natural and otherwise of the Cuban capital
General Lee was questioned in detail as
to the armament of the forts at that har-
Dor, location and strength of land batter
les and other points of military importance
which his long residence had given him
knowledge of. The conference discussed
thoroughly the entire question of Offensive
and defensive movements IN the neighbour
hood Of Cuba in the light of the irforma-
ton which General Lee was able to impart
Naturally no details were allowed 10 get
out. but one of the members of the board
stated as they dispersed that the military
situation had been thoroughly considered,
and General Lee had been able 10 give
them Information OF very valuable char
acter.
Prior to the meeting of the strategic
board General Lee spent half an -FOUR in
conference with Assistant Secretary Day
IN the latter's Office discussing the political
situation at Havana.
The Brazilian cruiser Nictheroy will prob
ably be purchased by the United States
government providing she passes the iii
spection ordered by the Navy Department.
A naval board has been ordered to in
spect the submarine torpedo boat Holland
at New York with view to her acquire
ment by the navy.
Telegraphic instructions have been given
for the purchase of the steel sea- going tugs
Fearless, Vigilant and Active at San Fran
cisco for conversion into auxiliary cruisers.
These vessels will be attached to the Pa
cific squadron. under Admiral Miller, and
form a part of the second line of defense
proposed for the Pacific coast.
Orders have been also issued for the pur-
chase of the steel tug c. G. CoyIe at New
Orleans and the tug Penrose at Mobile
These vessels will be sent to Pensacola,
Fla, to receive their batteries, and are
designed to aid in the defense of the gulf
ports.
Naval Movements.
The training ship Alliance arrived at
Fort Monroe yesterday.
The newly purchased craft, the Tecumseh
and the Osceola, left the New York navy
yard yesterday for Norfolk, where they
are to be fitted out for naval service.
Arrangements are being n ade to put into
immediate service the monitor Nantucket,
which has been in use as a training ship
for the North Carolina Naval Reserves for
the past four years. This old craft took
prominent part in the bombardment of
Fort Sumter, and is said to have been one
of the best monitors of the war. She will
be given protective armor, and high-power
guns will be placed In her turrets.
Secretary Long has under consideration
the request Of the defense committee of
New Orleans that n cruiser monitor "a