The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01
DANISH WEST INDIA ISLANDS
MAY BE PURCHASED FOR NAVAL
AND COALING STATIONS.
Bill for That Purpose Introduced In
the senate-War Fund of 81 100000
Voted by New York Legislature.

WASHINGTON, March 81. - Apparently
there was no cessation to-day of the ex-
traordinary activity which has prevailed at
the Navy Department during the past
month Now that many of the emergency
prepa' atoms are we'll under way so far as
the department proper is concerned, more
attention is being devoted to the broader
question of a plan OF campaign in the event
of war. Under this head comes the estab-
lshment of "a depot to be used as a base of
supplies, and on this matter the commercial
interests of the country are making them
selvesrheard The citizens of Louisiana have
called forcibly to the attention of the Navy
Department the merits of New Orleans. To-
day Senator McEnery and Representatives
Meyer, Ogden and Davey called on Secre-
tary Long and supplemented the representa-
tions of merchants who were here last week
urging the selection of New Orleans as a
base of Supplies. They said the city, being
situated fome distance from the gulf. was
reasonably safe from attack by a fleet, and,
being railroad center and situated on the
Mississippi river, grain and other supplies
could be shipped there in great abundance.
The secretary did not commit himself. The
delegation also spoke to the secretary in re-
gard to the question of iefenses for the
city of New Orleans, but the secretary ex-
pressed the opinion that with formidable
fleet in the gulf and such Notifications as
are already in existence the city was we'll
protected.
Representatives McMillin Of Tennessee,
Underwood and Wheeler of Alabama and
Lester of Georgia called to talk about the
selection of a coaling station the gulf or
the Atlantic coast somewhere in the neigh
borhood of the headquarters of any fleet
operations that might be conducted in that
locality if war should ensue Already the
department has taken steps for the estab-
lishment of a station at Tortugas. but as
this is inadequately defended at the present
time little difficulty would be experienced
by hostile feet in plundering it. Four
places which in the opinion of the delega-
ton would make desirable locations for
coalng stations were pointed out to the
seoretary-namely, Tybee island Fort Nor
gan, Pensacola, Fla, and Mobile 1t was
said by one of the members after leaving
the secretary that they were practically
agreed on Tybee island as a second choice
If their individual preferences in the seiec-
ton of place could not be acquiesced in
by the department. Other persons who saw
Secretary Long, in addition to his bureau
chiefs, were Senators Platt, of New York,
and Gear, of Iowa.
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina was
at Assistant Secretary Rooseveit's Office
during the day and made some inquiries con-
corning the condition of the Port Royal
dry dock. The latest reports received at
the department indicated that work at that
place was progressing steadily in the drain
Ing out of a basin in the approach to the
dock so that vessels can enter and leave
either at high or low tide
The Navy Department to-day determined
to have the naval militia of the several
States prepared for immediate service
should this be found necessary This con-
clusion was the outcome of a conference of
the members of the naval strategic board
during the afternoon. Letters will be sent
to the Governors and to the adjutant gem
erals of all States where there are naval
militia organizations asking them TO set In
molten the machinery tor drilling and equip-
ing the state organizations more promptly
SO they Will be ready within a few hours
notice of call 10 arms. Assistant Secre-
sary Roosevelt has charge of all matters
pertaining 10 the laval militia, and he feels
mat The rcsponse 70 this request will be
hearty and prompt. The officials express
me hope that there will be unanimous
sentifne.-t or the part of employers TO per-
--t S'Fh " liiSiA iAiSti DIS dIG LlSNnD6ES Oh the
militia free opportunity to join their com
mands
The work incident to the transformation
of the yachts and tugs recently purchased
for the Navy Department so as to make
therl practicable for naval purposes is now
well under way. The alterations and
changes necessary are being rushed with all
possible speed, and orders have been issued
70 employ a sufficient number of men to
work night and day SO that no time will be
lost In the tugs particularly there are a
number OF changes necessary for the COM
lori ana convenience OF the men who will
MAN them. The yachts, on the other hand
are ia better shape and less work will be
required than on the tugs They will be
givel a belt of armor as means of pro-
lection FOR portions which are most Vul-
neraD!e 70 the enemy's fire. So far the de-
p~rtment has purchased five yachts and
eight tugs for the auxiliary navy.
Sir Julian Pauneefote, the British am
basSadof, called on Assistant Secretary
\ Roosevelt ut the Navy Department this
afternoon and left his card for Can't - ID.
Slgsoee' eonsratulating that officer on his
escape and bearing throughout his recent
thrilling experiences in the harbor of
There was nothing specially significant
in tie movements of naval vessels reported
10 the department to-day. The gllnboat
Wilmington arrived at Jacksonville yester-
torpedo boat Somers. purchased In Ger
many. arrived at fillau yesterday on her
way " TIE tlNllSu OIdIeS. The &unDOat
Wheeling has left Port Angeles for Seattle.
Tho cruiser Columbia and the revenue cut
ter Morrill, arrived at Norfolk to-day The
Columbia Is attached 10 the flying SQUAD
ron" and is in complete readiness for any
service II may be called on To perform Her
sister ship, the Minneapolis. now fittings out
~ League island, is expected to join the
squadron at Hampton Roads III a day or
two The gunboat Marietta, OF the Pacific
squadron arrived at CallaO Peru to-day.
Although not so admitted, Il Is generally
UNDERSTOOD that she Is bound for. Key West.
The same Is true OF the battle ship Oregon
which ~ expected TO arrive at Callao this
week These vessels nave been Informed OF
the presence Of the Spanish torpedo boat
Tenerari0 on the east coast Of South Amer
lea and have been warned 70 be on their
The military information division OF the
War Department has made public table