The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-14
ST. PAUL NOW A WARSHIP
AMERICAN LINERS SOLD TO
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT

q Day of Instense Activity I'm the
Military and Naval Bureaus of the
Gotvernment-TheF Flying Squad
ron Sent Out On a Short Cruise
for Practice.
WASHINGTON, April 13.-This was
day Of stirring activity at the navy
and war departments. Anticipating
decisive action by congress, the ma
chinery Of the military and naval
branches of the government was early
put in motion, and events Of grave
sion.
In every bureau the work Of prepara-
tion went on with an enthusiasm and
rush that was in marked contrast to
the lethargy that had characterized
the big granite building since Mon
day. With it all there was an added
secrecy and reticence on the part Of
officials to discuss the warlike move
ments.
The first event to become known was
the acquisition by the navy department
Of the American line steamships St.
Louis and st. Paul, and coupled with
the announcement came the informa-
ton that in all probability Capt. Sigs-
bee would be placed in command Of
one, and Capt. Goodrich of the other.
Early in the forenoon the naval
strategic board went into session and
called Consul General Lee into the con-
ference. The session was a long one,
and was devoted to a thorough dis
cussion of offensive and defensive
movements in Cuban waters, Gen. Lee
being able to give the board much
valuable information regarding the de-
lenses Of Havana.
Flying Squadron Sails.
Crowding close upon the heels of
these events was the news that the
flying squadron had put to sea. De-
spite the utmost precaut1on 1t devel-
oped shortly before noon that the fly
ing squadron had been ordered to move
from Hampton Roads. The first re-
port was that the squadron would sail
under sealed orders, going south, and
occasioned much excitement. Appre-
ctating that deep significance was like
ly to be attached to the move, a quiet
ing and cautionary semi off1cial state
ment was made that the squadron
would go out for practice cruise Of
forty eight hours.
At first Secretary Long would neither
affirm nor deny that the squadron was
about to move, stating that a positive
rule had been made not to mention any
projected naval movements There
were intimations, however, that the
movement was not significant as q
prospective war measure, and was
more in the line of giving the restless
officers and men of this squadron
something to do for few days.
Moreover, the brief practice cruise
probably will take the SQUADRON out
side the capes, where they can be
rea ched easily by dispatch boat, If
it becomes evident that they are need
ed for offensive or defensive purposes
at some other point
The flying squadron Is made up Of
the pick OF our naval vessels, in point
OF speed and effectiveness
Significant Step.
Probably the most significant action
at the navy department was the issue
OF instructions to the naval auxiliary
beard at New York for the Immediate
purchase Of the ocean greyhounds ST.
Paul and st. Louis, of the American
line, the purchase of another first class
auxiliary cruiser, probably the York
/ town of the Old Dominion line and the
purchase of the Brazilian cruiser Mic
theroy. The last named vessel is about
to be inspected and the result will de-
termlne the question of her acquire
The purchase of the st. Paul and the
st. Louis is probably the most eXpen-
siTe transaction consummated by the
navy department since the beginning of
the war excitement. These vessels cost
over two million dollars each and are
regarded as among the best vessels Of
that class in the world, being exceeded
In speed only by the Kaiser Wilhelm
der Crosse, of the German line, and the
| or,io Of he 1;.I,
line. Their impressment into the naval
service is authorized by the act under
which they were granted a subsidy for
carrying the United States mail.
The amount paid for them is an Off
cial secret, but it Is known to be some
where in the neighborhood of five mil
lion dollars. The ST. Paul left South
New York on the 18th inst. The steam
er st. Louis Is at the English port and
the date Of her return is not stated.
These vessels will be armed and
armored at the New York navy yard
and put in condition for naval service
as rapidly as possible. They probably
will be used mainly as transport ships,
or as commerce destroyers, most prob
ably the latter, as their speed and pow
er make them especially adapted for
such service.
Sissbee Assigned.
Capt. Sigsbee, the hero Of the Maine,
and Capt. Goodrich, president of the
naval war college, have been practical
~ agreed upon by the navy department
as the two officers to take command OF
the crack vessels. The assignment of
Capt. Sigsbee has been awaited with
great interest. for both the president
and Secretary Long have been anxious
since the commander of the Maine ar
rived in Washington to give him one