The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
Purchase OF the Formidable BRAZIL
ian Cruiser NictherOy Under Con-
sideratiOn by Secretary Long.
TALK AMONG NAVAL OFFICERS
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST HA-
vANA DISCUSSED AT KEY WEST.
How the Message Was Received by
the "Fighters''-"FIying Squadron"
Ready for Action.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE War and
Navy Departments continued their active
preparations to-day. While eventualties
are being prepared fer, the sentiment in
army and navy circles is that war is not
so imminent as it seemed to be few days
ago. 1t can be stated on authority that no
consideration has yet been given to the with
drawal Of the United States fleet at Key
West, as the administration holds that the
situation has undergone no change which
makes this withdrawal necessary or adj
visable.
Not bakers dozen of senators and rep
resentatives combined put in an appear
ance at the departments to-day. Secretary
Long saw no congressional visitors this
morning, but went shortly after 10 o'clock
to the White House. The most interesting
item of information that came to the Navy
Department was the reported arrival of the
cruisers San Francisco and New Orleans at
Halifax to-day. 1t was expected at the
Navy Department that the two vessels
would come directly to New York where
they were expected to arrive on Saturday
or yesterday. 1t is supposed they were de-
layed by the stress of weather The arrival
of the New Orleans in this country is the
source of supreme satisfaction to the naval
officials, as she has aboard a number of the
Maxim ordenfeldt rapid-fire guns just pur-
chased in Europe and quantity of
ordnance stores. The guns were intended
for the seacoast Notifications and are badly
needed just at this time. So anxious were
the officials that these stores should be
brought to this country safely that it may
truly be said that they were more inter-
ested in a safe arrival of the stores than the
ship herself. The expectation is that the
two vessels will proceed promptly to New
York
Word reached the department to-day of
the arrival of the .IjYSt-class cruiser Balu
more at Yokohama, Japan, on her way 20
Hong Kong to join the Chinese squadron.
She will make an excellent addition to the
American fleet ir those waters. The Balti-
n has aboard large amount of ammu-
milton stores, which she transshipped at
Honolulu, to which place they had been
brought by ore of the smaller United States
ships, and these will be distributed among
the ships of the squadron.
Chairman Hull, of the House military
affairs committee, was at the War Depart
ment for some time to-day discussing
with Secretary Alger the bill providing for
an increase of the army in time of war and
military committee after being considered
in the House. t.
The Navy Department has under con-
sideration the purchase of the Brazilian
cruiser Nictheroy, one of the most formid-
able vessels OF its kind afloat. The Nicthe-
roy was high-speed merchantmen
purchased by Brazil in this country during
the Mello revolution She was transformed
a wit
her class, and hurried there to meet the
vessels which under the revolutionary adj
miral were investing Rio. She WIS armored
and equipped with a large pneumatic dyna-
mite gun and a secondary battery of light
high power and machine guns. She is still
borne on the Brazilian naval list The ne
EQUATIONS for her purchase, as far as can
he learned have not yet assumed definite
shape, but the matter is under consldera-
tion.
1t was stated to-day that there was no
foundation for the report that Secretary
AIger would recommend that the President
designate Lieutenant General Schofeld. re-
tired, as a military adviser to the executive
and secretary of war in case of hostilities
General Schofelds recent visits to the
President and secretary, it is added. were
simply for the purpose of consulting with
them regarding the volunteer reserve move
ment Secretary Alger, of the War De-
partment, and Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt, of the Navy Department were in con-
ference some time to-day, during which the
general situation from military standpoint
was considered. While they were together
General Miles, commander of the army
dropped in. and later, after the officials had
parted, Lieutenant General SchofieId re-
tired, saw the secretary for a moment The
presence of these persons in the secretarv's
office led to the report that a general con-
ference having in view the formation of a
plan for a joint naval and military demon
stration was under consideration, but the
statement is made authoritatively that so
far as a prearranged conference was con-
cerned it was confined entirely to the sec
rotary of war and the assistant secretary of
the navy. During the morning there was a
meeting in Assistant Secretary Roosevelts
Office of the naval strategic board those
present including Mr.. Roosevelt. Captain
Crowninshield and Captain Glover. mem
bers, and Rear Admiral Walker and Lieu
tenant Commander Wainwright, who had
been called in TO assist the board in it's de-
alterations.
Bids were opened at the Ordnance Bureau
of the army to-day for supplying the army
with rapid-tire guns, carriages, ammuni-
tloH, etc, OF American manufacture, as fol-
lows: Twenty six-pounder guns and eighty
fifteen-pounder guns with carriage and
three hundred rounds of ammunition for
each gun. Proposals were received from
the American Ordnance Company, the
briggs Gun and Ammunition Company and
the Vicker's Sons q Maxim Company. The
awards will probably be announced to-mor-
row.
Secretary Long sent to Congress to-day
an estimate for an appropriation TO be in
cluded in the general deficiency bill of
100000 under the head of equipment of yes
sells. The secretary says labor at
navy yards for the next three months prob
ably will approximate 100000 chargeable 10
this appropriation. and that large quantities
of coal, especially, have been purchased for
the emergency and charged 10 the regular
appropriation, and that larger additional
quantities will possibly be required in the
near future"
Two more vessels OF the navy have left
Beaufort. s. c.. to join Captain SIMPSONS
fleet rendezvoused in the gulf. They are the
Nezinscot and the Algonquin. Information