The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-26

and break the circuit, the torpedoes
still could be exploded from either end
OF the line.
THE channel is already protected
from the Willetts Point shore to the
center of the channel by two groups of
submarine mines. Each group of the
mines consists of % torpedOes, A tor
gether containing 120 pounds of giant
powder
"At Ft. Schuyler directly opposite
Willett's Point, considerable engineer
ing work has beer done. A torpedo
magazine and experimenting gallery
was recently completed. 1t is consider
ed the strongest magazine on any
United States fortification-"
Key West, Fla. Feb. 26-Ex- -Secreta-
ry of War Redfield Proctor, represent
ing President Mckinley, arrived Thurs
day afternoon on the steamer Miami.
He Immediately entered a carriage and
was driven to the Key West hotel
Admiral Sicard of the North Atlantic
squadron has come ashore from the
flagship New York and was at the hotel
to meet Senator Proctor Their con-
ference was most vital It was as If the
United States senate was talking with
the United States navy. The course OF
government may hinge on the meet
Two days ago it was stated that Sen
ator Proctor was coming to Key West
and that he represented the government
IT was further said that Gen. Lee
Cushing 1t now can be said that Gen
Lee sent a detailed letter to Washing
ton in the consul department bag CIV
ing all that the administration wished
to know.
Senator Proctor left last night by the
steamer OIivette for Havana He says
he goes to Havana merely for pleas
ure trip for his health
Senator Proctor, before sailing. was
shown q dispatch reporting consIdera-
BILE excitement at Havana over MS e2-
pected visit. He read II, laughed ana
said: absurd"
IN renIv to a request for a detailed
statement regarding his visit Senator
Proctor said:
1T is all simple and straight as DAY
I've been to Havana several times pc
fore and have many friends there I've
been fishing several days in FLORIDA
with Colonel Parker, a business man OF
washington and a friend of mine, ana
we have decided to go over to Havana
The correspondent of the Associated
Press suggested that some people might
think Havana a strange place TO go Ior
laughingly replied: ITO tell the truth,
we are just going over there TO see
what's going on, to be where the eX-
citement is. Does not every Dody want
| TO 90 there2 Don't you? There is not
a bit of political significance about It.
I may stay in Havana day or a Week
I have not the remOtest idea how long
Commander Clifford h. west, cnleI OF
I Admiral Sicard'S staff, also sailed on
! the Mascotte. When asked the pur-
| pose of his visit to Havana, he replied:
! 4 cannot say anything for publication
| Rear Admiral Sicard is still in charge
| of the fleet which, with the exception
! of the New York and the Iowa, remains
| at the Dry Tortugas- The New YORK
| and Iowa lie off this harbor. The ad-
/ TniraI said that he expected to be bet
| ter soon and he looked much improved:
| The admiral expects the Marblehead
and the Detroit on Sunday, but says
| the fleet will not be brought in body
/ to this harbOr.
! IATER-The United States cruiser
/ Detroit. Capt. Dayton, has arrived here
| from Mobile She came up to the
| wharf to take coal on board.