Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-24

United States either in protesting to Spain
or intercepting the fleet or compelling its
withdrawal. There is very decided cur
rent of sentiment among naval officers, in
Guiding some of the highest In favor Of
decisive and immediate action. They say
that from a naval strategic standpoint it
would be most unfortunate at this time
to have this great torpedo f1otilla brought
within easy reach of our squadron at Key
West This is not mere naval speculation,
but 1t has been given official congizance
and has been urged upon the President.
1t was due to this official apprehension,
that instructions were issued to keep the
Navy Department immedia tely advised of
the departure of the torpedo fleet from the
Canaries.
Capt. Evans to Command the Iowa.
Captain Robley D. Evans, well known as
Fighting Bob Evans" and one of the best
known characters in the navy, arrived in
Washington this morning from Key West
and had half an hours conference with
Secretary Long. He has been temporarily
in the light house service, but he told the
Secretary that if there was to be a fight
ne wanted to be in it. Mr. Long an
pre- clated the suggestion, and Immediately
issued orders placing Captain Evans in
command of the battle ship Iowa, which
stands at the very head of the ships of the
American navy, both as to tonnage, guns.
armament and all the qualities that go to
make up a first-class modern battle shin.
ne Iowa is now at Key West with Adj
mliai Sicard's fleet. Captain Evans was
apoard her only few days ago and dur
ing his visit to Key West talked with Adj
inirai Sicard and with the members of the
Maine court of inquiry. He brought no in
oimation on the report
Admiral sfcard's Successor.
IL developed today that Captain Evans
crders to take command of the Iowa had
most important sequel in the assignment
OF captain Sampson, present commander
Oh the Iowa, to succeed Admiral Sicard in
command of the North Atlantic squadron.
Ihls Is the most important assignment the
department has made in many years. It
Is the result Of the findings of the medical
court, now sitting at Key West, that Ad-
m1ral Sicard is incapacitated for active
duty, owing to long continued Illness He
mas been ailing for weeks, but has heroi-
cally struggled against his sickness until
he found that further active service was
impossible. He himself requested that the
medical board be appointed to inquire into
his condition. and it is the result of this
inquiry which brings about the changes
Capt. Sampson, who now assumes COM
mand of the North Atlantic squadron, has
been in the eye of the public very con-
spicuously within the last few weeks, being
president of the naval court of inquiry
which investigated the Maine disaster He
Is regarded as one of the best equipped
officers in the naval service having seen
active service during the civil war, and
since then having occupied many impor-
tant positions in the navy. He is a high
authority on naval ordnance, and before
taking ccmm and of the Iowa was chief of
the bureau of ordnance of the Navy De-
partment He is about fifty years of age, a
student on naval affairs, of genial tenn
permanent, and considered an officer Of ex-
ceptfonal executive ability.
Capt. Sampson's Elevation.
The retirement of Admiral Sicard has the
effect of raising Capt. Sampson to the rank
of commodore. as he is at present the
senior captain in the service. He is a ma
tive Of New York and entered the service
in September. 1857. He has seen over forty
years active service, nearly fourteen of
which were spent on the sea-. He con-
cluded his last cruise in June, 1892, since
which time he served as chief Of the bureau
of ordnance up to the time Of his assign
ment to the command of the Iowa While
his naval service has been extensive the
public has come to know him best in con-
nection with his recent prominent position
at the head Of the Maine court Of inquiry
He was chosen for this position because Of
the implicit confidence imposed in him and
of his known ability and conservative judg-
ment.
To Command Hampton Roads Fleet
Hardly less important than the assign
ment of Captain Sampson was the deter
mination to place Commodore W. s. Schley
in command of the fleet now assembling at
Hampton Roads. This will consist of the
battle ships Massachusetts and Texas, the
cruisers Brooklyn Minneapolis and Column
bia, and such other ships as may be as
signed later. 1t is commonly known as the
flying squadron, the idea being to make
Hampton Roads the base of operations,
and yet to give Commodore Schley's fleet
easy and effective cruising distance of the
entire sweep Of Atlantic seaboard. The
two commands under Commodore Sampson
and Commodore Schley will be of equal
dignity, and will be entirely Independent
OI edcn OtneT LOT the present at least.
Commodore Schley is another officer who
commands the fullest confidence of the ad-
ministration for his good judgment and
ability. During the present crisis he has
been frequently called into consultation
with the naval chiefs, who recognize his
complete familiarity with every detail Ct
naval procedure. When the flying squad
ron was first suggested his name naturally
presented itself as probably the fittest man
for that particular duty In the service. He
came prominently into public notice by his
successful prosecution of the Greedy relief
expedition, Of which he had command,
during the administration of Secretary
Chandler. Later, as the commander of the
Baltimore at Valparaiso at the. time OF the
Chilean revolution, he participated in the
critical events following the assault on the
sailors Of his ship. and is believed to have
contributed much to the successful ad-
justment of the difficulties which threat
ened at one time to involve this country
with Chile.
Says 1t Means Fight.
Senator Mason Of Illinois was at the
Navy Department during the morning, and
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