Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-21

boat with dynamite, run her into the Span
lard and blow her out of the water. And
go II goes. The expectation Of some thing"
breeds suggestions Of all kinds as to what
could be done in an emergency.
All along the coast there is an anxious
watch being kept for an American man-of-
and painted white that floats through the
mist Is one of our white cruisers to the
anxious watchers. Early this morning the
AIackay-Bennett cable steamer was mis-
taken for one of our SQuadron, and the
Eews was quickly flashed all over the city.
There were expressions of relief, only to be
followed by an increase of the tension
when the truth of the report was dascred-
tied. The vigil for the Brooklyn or some
other American war vessel continued all
day today. There was one time it was
thought the Brooklyn had indeed arrived
miik-white steamer was sighted bound
in. THE Brooklyn" the lookout exclaim-
ed, straining his eyes into the fog. which
magnified all visible objects. But on closer
inspection it was seen that the stranger
had only one funnel. 1T must be the Min
neapoIis," was the verdict. 1t was neither
1t was the revenue cutter Manning.
Garrisons Reinforced.
While the big Spaniard rides peacefully
at anchor surrounded by police and naval
patrols, following out the plan of protec-
ton already thoroughly canyassed. there
are other plans being quietly carried out
that are also construed to be for the bene-
fit of our Spanish friends. These prepara-
tons give a significant tone to the ARRIVAL
of the Vizcaya, and DO not teno 10 Ienexe
public apprehension that something Is
going to happen" 1t is stated that the gar
rison at Sandy Hook was increased late
Friday night. Over one hundred men are
said TO have been taken there from the
garrisons of Fort Wadsworth, Fort Hamtl-
ton and Fort Slocum. The men were gath
cred quietly In their quarters ana trans
ferred to a government dispatch boat that
Snr,Cx
have been issued to see that the guns are
in perfect condition at Forts WadsWortn
and Hamilton and Lafayette In the mar
rows, Castle William and Fort Columbus at
Governors Island, Fort Schuyler and Da-
vid's Island at the entrance to the sound.
Orders have also been received at the forts
in New York harbor to see that the ammu-
milton which the Dupont Powder Company
once among all the forts of the depart
ment of the east where there are modern
guns.
One man in each Of the five batteries
stationed in New York harbor has been
ordered to Fort Wadsworth to be instruct
ed in the mounting, caring Tor ana the
running of the Oil engines and storage pat
terieS connected with the service IN the
armament.
Trying to Stay War RumOrs.
General Merritt and his officers are do
ing their best to stay the war rumors by an
detachments quiet. General Merritt says:
"At another time when there is not so
much talk of war the movements of the
detachments would not be anything Of UNI
usual Importance. The truth of the whole
matter is that we have some high-poWer
guns at these four points which will suffer
unless they are put in order at once. They
have been neglected too long
In regard to our ability to defend this
port if attacked without the aid Of a war
ship, an army officer, who did not Wish TO
ne quoted, said:
1T is uncertain how our new defenses
at this Fort will defend. We have put in
some big guns, but it costs $500 or $500
piece to fire them once. and we haven't
appropriate money to test them. If
pin breaks the usefulness of the gun is
gore. The government has been liberal
to the navy for the last few years and
liberal to the army, but it will require
vast amount of money to engage in war.
1t is big question and it can't be set
tied by a few men shooting off their
mouths in Congress-.
Preachers Have Their Say.
In many of the pulpits Of Greater New
York today touching reference was made
by the pastors to the Maine calamity. One
in particular is worth mention. SOL
emily impressive service was rendered in
the Metropolitan Temple. The chorus of
100 voices sang funereal anthems and the
organist played the Dead March in
Saul and the March Funebre from
Chopin. In the course of his remarks the
Rev. DIR. Cadman said: ~ .'.H
Let US continue to maintain a dignifed
and judicial attitude. which is at this juno
ture absolute necessity to consistent
and righteous action The majority of our
countrymen are at, one with the President
and his cabinet and their representatives
t In the marked and
be obt aafhhSesSief BIT q DIT that can be known
we shall know and shall govern ourselves
accordingly. The ralIying ground for US
is at Washington, There. in the hands Of
our President and his advisers, the honor
of this nation is and has been from the
first perfectly safe"
The residents Of the italian colony in this
city met today and perfected plans for q
grand military and civic parade in honor
Of the men who lost their lives on the
Maine. The parade will take place next
week, and the societies represented will
be from all sections of Greater New York
and from towns within a radius OF fifty
miles Of the metropolis.