Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-25
THE COURTS REPORT
1t Reaches Washington at
Last.
70 BE CONSIDERED TODAY
Energetic War Measures Follow Each Other
In Constant Successiou.:u TN. Aampied
Activity In All Official nusrtcrs.
Important Naval Orders.
(I'y Telegraph.)

WASHINGTON, March 24.-Tne las,
day before the az rival of the report of
the Maine court of inquiry was ONE
i, of unexampiod acLvitySin al. official
Iu.ag-lG AliN!ces came early that ';'he
Spanish torpedo ilorilla- 11ad sailed from
the Canaries fvr Porto Rico, and from
| this moment the most energetic warl.->e
| measures followed one ano rner IN con-
stant sue cesson. The movement of uhis
| fleet had been watched ~ 18th the keen
! eSSL-uilteI est, rs aic was Tent to inNolve
| serious poss.bii ties which might cbm-
PSI the United States government 10
| protest against the niA!srment as Of a
hostile character. Immed lately on the
one of our naval attaches abroad.
briefly announcing the sailing of tho
fleet, the fact was made known to the
President, and an earnest conference
was held between him and Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roose-
Welt I'h.. seriousness of the movement
was fully consid cred. and the Pres NJ. MT
Was advised that naval strategists re-
garded il as esse ntia. that this torpedo
fleet should not be allowed to reach
western waters. What. if any, conclu-
sion was reached is not known Later
IN the day the Spa niSh minister, Senior
Polo y Bernabe, called at the state de-
partme-at and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t was naturally inferred
that the approach OF the Spanish flo
tilla was one o. the subjects refer. ed
TO- Whether. however, there was any
suggestion against this move was not
disclosed by ether Judge Day or the
spanish minister. both of whom main
tanned the strictest retcence regarding
their conference. Ha..,
Following the futilla announcement,
important news CAM rapidly.
TIE first was this announcement by
Secretary Loug, indicating the placing
OF. our squadron and fleet ON war
footing:
Admiral s.card has been granted.
leave. very much to the regret of the
navy department. on account OF his
health
Captain Sampson has been made
commander of the fleet at Key West.
Captain Evans has besn ordered TO take
command Of the batteship Iowa.
The orders to- be squadron in Hemp
ton Roads have not yet been issued
Although the announcement did not
50 state. it soon became known that
Commodore w. S. Scilley was selected
10 command 1.-THE flying squadron"
Ihis announcement was recognized as
of unusual Importance at this juncture
Admiral 'Sicard has been in command of
the fleet at Key West throughout Lhe
critical period of the Maine disaster
Captain Sampson has been in COM
mand Of the Iowa. but more, recently
has been consple uous before the pu.lc
us president of the Maine courr of in
quiry. Captain Robley II. Evans is bet
ter known as Fighting Bob"
The next important movement was
determination to create a joint commis-
sion from the war and navy depart
nlents so as TO bring them into haR-
nonG'oIs action on afl measures. Cap. ain
Barker. naval aide OF Secretary Long
was designated to represent the navy
department. in this common p.an of ac-
ton. The representative of the war
department has not ye't been named. II
Will rot be necessary for these two Of
ficers to leave Washington, as they ceuu
best arrange a Joint Plan OF action in
conference with the Elreau chiefs of
the two departments here. Then al tie
ecse OF day came an announcement
that the navy department had sue
ceeded in purchasing eight steam yachts
and tour steam tugs, presumably at cT
near New York, for use IN the auxiliary
toms each. ard in an emergency would
be suitable as torpedo boats. The
yachts purchased are among the fleet
est along the Atlantic coast. and are
said ito be somewhat similar to the May
flower. recently purchased OF the Og-
den Gcelet estate. This acquisition to
the navy is regarded as n exceptionally
valuable one at the pr sent time, as The
greatest need is felt for smaE craft.
suitable as torpedo and dispatch boats.
The rames and amounts for the vari-
GUS yachts are rot disclosed
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance,
Senators and Representatives from b5;h
political parties ceiling to confer with
the President. Among the callers were
Senators Cullom. Fairbanks, Lodge.
Aldrich Jones (of Arkarsas) and
Spooner, and Representative BaEey, the
Democratic floor leader in the House of
Representatives. The uppeamost ques-
ton at all the conferences was the
| Maine disaster. and the anticipated &c
ton Of the President in laying the re-
| port before Congress. The conferences