Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-04

0pdlu has NOtuiHS III OAAc VI
Speed, Armor or Armament to Be
Compared With 1.-THE Brooklyn
and New York Are Two of the
Finest Fighting Ships Afloat, and
the Others Are Close Competi-
tors-American Sailors Anxious
to Demonstrate to the Dons the
Superiority Of American Vessels
and Men.
Hampton Roads, April 3.-The prac-
teal completion of the flying squadron
of the American navy by the assign
ment of Commodore w. S. Schley to
take charge and his acceptance as
marked by his active operation of Mon
day last is an epoch making event in
the history of the present difficulty.
No other action of this government
since the Maine disaster so actively
determines the fact that actual war
fare has been expected. The North
Atlantic squadron is always organized
and the appointment OF Captain Samp-
son to it's command is but the natural
sequence OF the retirement of Rear Ad-
miral Sicard from active duty. So to
the assignment of ships of war to that
squadron or to the Pacific squadron
are Tut moves toward mobilization
that might occur at any, time. But fly
ing souadrons are the direct outcome
of dangerous war conditions; are not
necessities of standing navies in time
of peace, and are expeditions of an
extraordinary nature created only when
the government fully decides there is
fear of attack or that the time is ripe
for an attack from her. 1t is therefore
not only possible. but highly probable,
that the new American flying squadron
has work cut out for it.
The fleet partially gathered and al
together proposed that will bear this
euphonious title was one of the most
formidable that can be gathered to-
gether by any nation. Realistically In
favor of the United States as that state
Inent may be. the facts bear it out. In
average rate of speed, in armored
protection, in calibre and number of
guns, and in fighting quality and dis
cipline of men, it can be proven that
the composition of this flying squad
ron is superior, point of numbers be-
ing equal, TO any organization of a
like nature to be
FORMED BY A FOREIGN POWER.
When on Monday morning Commo-
dore Schley raised his flag on the
Brooklyn, evidence of an unmistakable
character was apparent that every
not only fearless of battle, but court
ed it and hoped it would come. The
small calibre gun that fired the COM
modore's salute with blank cartridges
sang out high-pitched p>an of well
come and peace. About the land
locked water Of Hampton Roads, where
thirty-fiye years ago the Monitor and
Merrimac fought their terrible battle,
sunshine touched the hills just assum-
ing their emerald garb, and nature
awoke, after her Information caressing
the hills, spoke only for peace. But
as the smoke blows away, in every eye
was the kindling spark of vengeance
for fellow seamen hurled TO death and
the hope that the cannons tenor note
might be changed to the dreadful one
of war And if war comes, what of
this squadron?
j. S. Schley, Commodore command
ing this fleet, is a well-built man OF
about 50 years of age, with general
appearance denoting thoughtfulness,
and diplomacy coupled with certain
characteristics which indicate force
of character and quickness of action,
when developments require those feat
ures large headed and kindly faced,
smiling eye evidentl ySot given to
temper quick of answer, searching in
quiry, this man, as he treads the cap
tain's bridge of the Brooklyn in a
naval uniform or shakes hands with
you in the lobby of the hotel in civil
ian clothes, impresses you as the firm
unyielding warrior. just the man to
take partial orders Or flying
squadron and complete them himself
with
CREDIT TO HIS COUNTRY.
In the atmosphere which to-day sur
rounds him there is a spirit akin Il
that German song which says:
I'VE have all had more than enough
Of love, and now for song OF hatred.
but in the commander there is no slgf
of emotional desire, yet when the sum
mons comes the songs OF those WHIT
cry loudly now may weaken enough
to be over-topped by the commands o
this intrepid leader of host
In the make up of the flying squad
ron. speed and fighting qualities have
been considered. A summary OF tn
points in comparison with those OF th'
best boats that Spain can offer IN max
ing up a similar squadron. follows:
Speed
Name Tons H. Power. knots