The San Francisco call., 1898-01-15

ests, and not only the Maine will be sent, but other vessels will be ordered to Cuba should circumstances require it.
 AS an indication that the administra- tion does not believe that the Cuban situation will involve the United States in war, naval officers point to orders just issued assigning the Nashville to the European station. Department off1- cials say if there were any danger of trouble every available ship would be retained on the home station. It is also understood the Nashville will carry to Europe a draft of longtime men for the cruiser San Francisco. This shows the intention of the administration to retain the San Francisco as the nag ship of the European squadron. The Nashville will take the place of the cruiser Raleigh, now on her way to the Asiatic station. The Raleigh will ar rive at Colombo in a few days, and It Is expected that Commodore Dewey Will direct her to report to him at Naga- saki. There has been no move on the part of the authorities, so far as can be learned, to order any vessels home from foreign stations.
 The North Atlantic squadron, which has been gathering at Hampton Roads, is to sail southward tomorrow. Lest there should be misunderstanding of the purpose of the cruise, which has all ready been described in the orders as one of evolution and drill, planned many months ago, the orders under winch the vessels will proceed have been made public, and, taken in con- nection with the departments order to Admiral Sicard. the Navy Department says, show that the squadron's move ments have no reference to Cuba.
 These orders are made by Admiral Sicard, and are issued in identical form to the commanders of the various ships making up the squadron. They are dated at Fort Monroe. January II, on board the flagship New York, and be- gin as follows:
 Sir: The squadron is to be prepared to sail from Hampton Roads, weather and contingent circumstances permitting, with steam for ten knots, at 10 a. m. on Sat urday, January 15. for the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas, off the coast of Florida Vessels will unmoor in the morning watch unless signal is made to the contrary Squadron under sailing orders at s a. m. The order of ships will be: First divi- sion C. New York; @, Iowa. making the first section: (3) Massachusetts; (D In diana, making the second section. Second division: 05) Texas, first section. The Fern will proceed singiy to Key West un- less otherwise directed.
 The New York, Iowa and Indiana will proceed from Hampton Roads to the first sea rendezvous off Currituck. N C.. lat 6.30 N. long. 75.20 w, in about fifteen fathoms of water, the lighthouse bearing w. s. w. 7-8 distant 9 miles. and will re- main in that vicinity, weather permit ting. until noon Sunday. the 16th They will then proceed to a second rendezvous off Cape Fear, N. C., in eighteen fathoms of water, Frying Pan Shoal light, being north distant about seventeen miles. and remain in that vicinity until about D. m Tuesday, January IS, when they will pro- ceed to Dry Tortugas, communicating possibly by some light draft vessel with Key West in passing that port.
 It Is expected that the Massachusetts will leave the navy-yard on Friday, the 14th inst, and the Texas on Saturday, the 18th Inst. The Massachusetts will en- deavor to join the flag first on the Cur rituck rendezvous, and, if that is missed, then on the Cape Fear rendezvous. It is hardly expected that the Texas will be able to join the flag on the Currituck rendezvous; therefore, directly the Mas sachusetts joins there (prior to noon of the 16th inst), the squadron will not then await the Texas, but proceed to the Cape Fear rendezvous, and there 1t is expected that the Texas will be able to go in at 6 p. m. on Tuesday, January IS. Should the Massachusetts miss the flag at both rendezvous, or should any ship be separ- ated from the flag by weather or other contingencies. the next, third and final rendezvous will be the harbor of Dry Tortugas, where they will await the flag.
 While the squadron is on the Florida drill ground, which will include occa- sional anchorages in Dry Tortugas liar