The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-25
ITO PROTECT THE PARIS
MOST PROBABLE DESTINATION OF CRUIS-
ERS FROM FLYING SQUADRON.
The Strengthening Of the Notifications at Forl
Monroe Continues TO be
Rushed.

nuSlleu,
| Fort Monroe. Va. April 24.-(On
! board Flagship Brooklyn)-tor strategic
I purposes and for the protection of infor-
| nation which might be an ovature to
| the enemy, Commodore Schley, of the
| Flying Squadron, has established n prac-
| teal censorship over those III his com
mand relative to the divulging of the
reason for any movement made or to be
made by the squadron or individual
ships of the squadron. To more fully
carry out that plan of protection to
government interests, only commanding
officials are made aware of such move
ments and the responsibility is thus
minimized.
1t is for these reasons that the actual
destination of the Minneapolis and
Columbia is merely q matter of news
paper conjecture. The actual mission
of the big cruisers is not. and will not
be made public. the Navy Department,
Commodore Schley and the commanders
OF the vessels being the sole poSsessOrs
of information on the subject
The conjectures as to the object for
which Commodore Schlcy ordered them
to sea last night are many. Protection
of the steamship Paris, assistance to
the battleship Oregon, capture of
Spanish gunboats and convoy for the
tral sport Panther now at Hampton
Roads, are some of them. The latter
theory is partially discredited because
the Panther, with her human freight of
nearly 700 officers and marines, lies III
safety with the remaining ships of the
squadron off Fort Monroe, and evidently
in no hurry to move. AS Il matter of
fact the Panther itself has some protec-
ton being pretty we'll armed with eight
rapid fire rifles which could be used eff
fectively All of the 700 men aboard
her are in excellent condition, no pa
tients occupying the sick bay.
The departure of the Columbia and
Minneapolis last night created a great
deal of excitement, but demonstrated in
what fine condition all of the vessels of
Commodore Schley's squadron are.
From the time the signal was made on
the flagship to the time the Minneapolis
went by her OH way to sea was less
than an hour, and the Columbia follow
ed in a few minutes. When the multi
tudinous duties to be performed. after
an order to put TO sea is given, are con-
sidered. thoroughness of discipline and
capacity men are in splendid practical
evidence.
Sunday here passed by quietly. The
Maryland Naval Reserves, who are to
man the Yosemite and Dixie, arrived by
boat early this morning. The two con-
verted boats will be ready i'll day or
two, being at Newport News yards un-
der improvement. When the Maryland
Reserves passed the Brooklyn they
cheered heartily.
The Sioux. converted tug under
command of Lieutenant Gherardi and
which mounts several rapid fire guns,
reft this afternoon and the men on the
Brooklyn gave her a hearty cheer as
she passed ont.
The hospital boat Solace left Newport
News for Norfolk where she will take
ON medical stores.
Tonight the precaution was begun OF
putting out patrol fleet of steam cut
tiers fully equipped to fight and to give
warning if an enemy approaches.
The work of strengthening the fortiii-
cations at Fort Monroe continued all
day with large working force, as did
also the work of laying mines in the har-
Dor Where the old eight and ten inch
converted rifles used 10 stand will be
mounted battery of modern rapid fire
guns, which are expected to command
Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay
and make it impossible for n torpedo
boat Of the enemy to enter. These guns,
it is thought, will be in fighting condi-
ton by the end of the week.
The work is not confined to the fort it
self by any means, for lactive prepara-
tons for possible conflict are being
made at the pines Battery and on the
beach of Chesapeake Bay, midway be-
tween this battery and the fort. Here
four new disappearing guns will be
mounted behind breast-works of the
most modern and substantial kind.
In addition to this the immense bat
terry of smooth bore guns are ready for
use and n range of one mile will
prove terribly destructive.
At Willoughby Spit opposite Fort
Monroe, and which point controls the
entrance to Norfolk, Newport News and
the James and Potomac rivers board of
Naval Officers has made an inspection
with view of constructing a fort at
the point to cooperate with Fort Mon
roe.
1t is expected that active operations
on the fort will begin this week and be
pushed to completion without delay.
mis- fort is to be erected on a super
structure of steel supports, forming an
arched chamber with turrets, in which
the guns are to be operated. The fort
will be temporary in structure, but prop
erly manned will prove a formidable de-
Tense in case the enemy should attempt
the invasion of the harbor
AFTER THE PARIS.