Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-03-26

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menace, Having been decided upon
many weeks ago. On the contrary,
the spanish government hold that the
extensive armament at Dry Tortugas
is more direct hostile act against
Spain than any movement of the
fiotilla, Instead of stopping the
fiotilla the present attitude of Spain
tends towards reinforcing it with
other Spanish war vessels, not as a
menace but from what the Spanish
government feels is requirement
called for by the existing condition Of
affairs.
Hardly less suggestive than the ap-
proach of the torpedo flotilla was the
information received by the highest
military authorities, that the Spanish
government mad hurried to compile
tton the extensive fortification On the
island of Porto Rico, lying just off
Cuba, and the only Spanish possession
iu this hemisphere, other than Cuba.
The exact character of the new de-
fenses have been made known here,
and are being given weight with mil
itary authorities as showing the dis
position Of Spain. y
The navy department gave out the
following list of vessels. as showing
the exact number of each fleet, as
it stands today. The following ves-
sells comprise the North Atlantic
squadron: New York, Iowa, Indina,
Miantonomoh, Fern, Puritan, Terror.
Marblehead, Montgomery, Delaware,
Castine Nashville, Helena, Whining
ton ane VesuYius; the torpedo boats
Foote, Dupont, Ericsson, Cushing.
Porter and Wlnslow; tug, Leyden
and Samoset.
The following vessels comprise the
flying squadron: The battleships
Massachusetts, and Texas, and the
cruisers Minneapolis, Columbia and
Brooklyn.
The navy department was informed,
by cable, from Lieutenant Colwell,
the naval attachee to the United
States embassy at London, that the
agents Of this government had pur-
chased the "Schishad," torpedo boat
that had been constructed for the
German government. She is now all
ready for sea. 1t is expected that in
day or two she will leave for the
United States,
Favorable answers were received
from the New York naval militia of
their readiness, on short notice, to
supply officers and men to man the
single-turreted monitors, now called
into service. Orders were issued to-
day to have all warships painted black,
color that is better adapted to hos
Utilities, because the vessels will not
afford so good target.
NEW YORK, March ga dispatch
to the World from Madrid says:
The feeling among statesman and
financiers is pessimistic. Even the
most moderate of the newspapers and
the friends of the government admit
that affairs have entered upon a very
critical stage The council Of MIN
listers has decided to send by cable
note to Washington expressing sur
prise the impartial reports, at receiv-
ing request for permission to de-
stroy the wreck Of the Maine before
the two governments have communi-
Gated officiallyto each other the re-
ports Of their respective commissions
of investigation with essentials to de-
termine subsequent action. Spain
hopes President Mckinley will await
this customary exchange of cores
pondence before seeking to begin ne
gotiations on a matter requiring the
utmost sincerity, because Spain's
honor and dignity demand public rec
ognition of the honesty of her acts and
intentions,
WAsHIN0ToN, March, 26.-The work
of getting the army, navy aud coast
defenses in shape for war is still being
pushed forward with all possible
haste. Twelve speedy yachts and sea-
going tugs have been purchased by
the navy department, to be converted
into torpedo-boat destTOyers and
picket. boats in case Of emergency. At
Mare Island navy yard the cruiser
Cha rlastOn and the unnhoat York.