Evening star., 1898-03-25
FEAR TORPEDO FLEET
Naval Officers at Key West Point Out
Its Force.
MENACE TO OUR BATTLESHIPS
Preparations for Actual War Go
Actively On.
TORPEDO BOAT

of the Spanish torpedo flotilla from the
Canary Islands became known among the
naval officers here. 1t created intense feel
ing, especially among the officers of the
torpedo boats which are in this harbor.
One of the most prominent of these officers
said today: IF the United States allows
the Spanish boats to get to Porto Rico it
will be the biggest mistake ever made
They are a greater menace to the safety
of cur fleet than if all the rest of the Span
ish navy was brought to these waters.
AT Porto Rico they will be nearer Key
West than Havana. Only two torpedo beats
in our navy would have any chance of
getting away from the Spanish torpedo
boat destroyers. The Iowa, New York and
Indiana lying out there six miles off the
land would practically be at the mercy of
say a dozen Spanish torpedo boats. which
could run over from Porto Rico in a short
time should war be declared.
Means of Defense Lacking.
we have no protected harbors here
ana we have not single torpedo boat de-
stroFer, and unless fleet powerful enough
TO be proof against these torpedo boats is
quickly concentrated in these waters, or
unless the Spanish fiotilla is warned to
keep farther away, 1 should judge that it
would be better to take every United
States warship as far away as possible
from this menacing force which Spain in
tends to concentrate within such a con-
venient distance as Porto Rico
1T Is all very we'll to talk of peace and
TO say that there is no probability of war
but at the same time while international
relations are strained displays of force
should be met with alacrity, and, as a tor
pedo expert, 1 must say that if every ship
in the United States navy was brought
into these waters it would be none too for
mldab!e display when the strength of
the Spanish fiotilla is considered"
CoiwelI Gets IL Torpedo Boat.
LONDON, Marcn 2o.-Lieutenant Com
mander Colwell, the United States naval
attache here, has bought for the United
states government, through an American
hrn' hrst-class torpedo boat built 81
SchlcRau fer Germany. She is ready TO
sail.
Tie United States cruisers San Francisco
a.ld New Orleans were expected to sail to-
Gay Tor the United States. Lut they will
frouapiy postpone their departure until to-
morrow, as they may be unable to complete
loading ammunition
. Activity at Mare Island.
VALLEJO, Cal, March 25.-Great activ
tty prevails at the Mare Island navy ward.
The cruiser Philadelphia has been. hauled
quay wall, near the Charleston The gun.
boat Yorktown has also been towed to
the wall, and all three ships fairly swarm
with men at all hours. The Charleston is
rapidly nearing completion, and will be
READY TO SO in,o commission in d compar-
atlvely short time.
The Yorktown, too, is nearly ready for
sea, and TIE purchase OF supplies Tor both
Is now being made.
Lieut.. Commander Thomas S. Phelps, ir..
formerly executive officer Of the RECEIVING
snip Independence, who accompanied Presi-
dent Dole CT HAWAII ON his trip 10 WASH
ington as naval aid, mas been appointed
cnIet aid to Rear Admiral Kirkland.
Armament ut the Presidio.
SAN FRANCISCO. March 25-A new
tweive-inch rihed cannon, with disap-
pearing carriage, to be located at the tre-
sidio, has arrived from the east and Will
be mounted at once. Eventually il is the
intention OF the Var Department to have
three or Iour more of tnese disappearing
guns at the Preside. three at Lime to.nl
Several carloads OF powuer and projec-
liies for the new guns, as we'll as Tor
the other modern weapons at the Presie,o
and Lime Point, are now en- route from
the east. AL the Preside there are i've
ten-inch modern rifles and three dynamite
guns III position, also i've tweive-inch guns
mounted on baroettes and sixteen twelve
inch mortars. A secondary battery of NOR
I,ni,, raH
Point there are three twelve-inch rifles on
barbettes.
Naval Officers Changes.
PORTLAND. Ore, March 25.-Robert W.
Calf, chief engineer, U. s. NJ, who has
been inspector Of machinery on the tor
pedo boats being tuilt by Wolf & Swicker
iron works, has been detached and ordered
to proceed to Mare Island on the arrival
OF his relief. Passed Assistant Engineer
Howard Gage, who has been on duty at
the Union iron works, San Francisco.
Rough Riders Offer Services.
CHEYENNE, Wyo., March Ex-Governor
Richards has received an offer from Geo.
r. Stanton, a weil-known Laramie cow
boy, to raise within ten days notice
company Of fifty rough riders and expert
shots for service in the event of war. The
men will furnish their own mounts and
equipments. The offer will be accepted by
the governor if war should ensue.
President Asked TO Go Slow.
COLORADO SPRINGS. Col, March 25.-
A petition signed by fifty citizens of Colo
RADIO Springs was sent to President McKin-
ley expressing the hope that in behalf of
Justice, humanity and Of our own perma-
nent rational welfare, the United States
will continue to refrain from hostile inter-
vention in Cuba. A false step at this time
may bring war, and 1t is possible that VIC
tory, by begetting a willingness to inter-
fere In the affairs of other nations. may
produce results that might be worse eyen
than defeat"
Among the signers are DIR. william F.
Slocu,n, president of Colorado College; Irv-
ing Howbert, collector of internal revenue;
Louis Enrich and others equally prominent.
Battery mt Point Wfison, wash.
SEATTLE. Wash. March 25.-The con-
demnation suits by which tho government
secures site for a battery at Point VIII
ron have been closed In the federal court.
The price to be paid aggregates $4,000 A