The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-25
Day OF IIIlllE|lB|||
Unusual Activity Appsreat 4 lllt
official Quarters. I 'S
SPANISH TORPEDO FLo1llLA SANS.
The Movement Is Being Nstets1
NTH Grave Approximations.
ADMIRAL SlcAKD REPLACED.
SQUADRON rna Fleet 10 BE Pvt On y
War FootinE and Important
Changes Are Made.

fl
Washington. March c4.--The last day be- \
fore the arrival Of the report Of the court
Of Inquiry was one OF unexamplcd activity
In all official quarteys.
The advices came early that the Spanish
torpedo boats had sailed from the Canar,es
for Porto Rico, aud from this moment tho
most energetic war measures followed one
another. The movement OF the fleet has
been watched With tho kecnest interest.
and Il was felt TO involve serious probable
tiles, which might compel tho United
States TO protest against the movement Is
OF hostile character.
Immediately on receipt OF the official dis
patch from ono OF our naval attaches
abroad. briefly announcing the sailing Of
the fleet, the fact was made known to tho
president ana an earnest conference was
held between him and Secretary Long aud
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. The se-
robustness Of the movement was fully con-
sidcrcd and the president was advised that
naval strategists regarded II as essential
that this torpedo fleet should not be al
lowed 10 reach Western waters What. II
any conclusion, was reached is not known.
81 Later Ia the day The Spanish minister.
Senior Polo Bernabe. called at the stats
department and spent some time with
Judge Day. ltswas naturally inferred that
the approach Of the torpedo fiotilla was one
or the subjects referred to. Whether,
however, there was any suggestion as TO
the motive was not disclosed by either
Judge Day or the Spanish minister. both
Of whom maintained the closest secrecy re-
speak concerning u.
i Fnpoeins ihe flctilla announcement the
/ news followed rapidly. Tht4firKt was shis
announcement by Secretary Long indl-
eating tho plnclug OF onr squadron and
fleet on war footing:
Admiral sicnrd has been granted leave.
very much 10 the regret OF the navy de-
psrtment and altogether on account Of his
health CAPTAIN Sampson has been made
commander OF the fleet at Key West; Cap
tain Evans has been ordered TO take CONF
mnnd Of the Iowa.
The orders 10 the squadron In Hampton
Reads have not yet been Issued.
Although tho announcement did not
state. IL soon hscame known thai Conn
mander w. s. srhley wns slnted 10 COM
mand the Flying Squadron This AM
nounccment wns recognized Mt once as Of
unusual inheritance at this jnnctnre
Admiral Sicard has been In command Of
the fleet Mt Key West throughout the crit
teal period OF the Maine disaster. Captain
Sampson has been IN command OF the
Iowa. but more recently has been con-
spicuous before tho public as president Of
the mime court OF inquiry. Captain ROBE
crt Evans Is better known as Fighting
Rob-
| II developed that Captain Evans orders
| to take command Of the Iowa had most
| important sequel In the assignment OF
1 Captain Sampson present commander of
the Iowa, to succeed Admiral sicard in
command Of the North Atlantic squadron.
| This is probably the most important as
sgnmcnt the department has made IN
many months. II is due mlinly to the
finding Of medical court, that tho i'd
miral is incapacitated from active duty,
owing TO long continued Illness. captain
Sampson Ii regarded as one OF the best
| equipped officers In the navy, having seen
active ssryice during the civil var and
occupied many prominent rcsitiops, He
ia high authority and before taking
command Of the Iowa was chief Of the
bureau. Of ordinances Of the navy DEPART
nent He Is between 30 and 60 YEARS %
age, student Of naval affairs. Of genial
temperament and Ii cpnsIde cd an ofasev
Of exceptional executive ability The =
.iremcnt OF Admiral sicArd has the effect
Of raising Captain Sampson TO The rank
Of commander I'll ss
Commodore Sehlsy commanded the fullest
confidence Of the administration and ~
Secretary Long. During the present crisis
he bas been frequently called into CONSUL
taiion with the naval officials. ne cans
i prominently Into Tho public notice during
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