Evening star., 1898-08-06
NO CHANGES CONTEMPLATED.
Competition of the Eastern Squadron
Remains Unaltered.


If the Navy Department contemplates any
further change in the composition of the
eastern squadron. which was destined for
cruise in Spanish waters. the matter has
not taken form. This statement applies to
| the commanders of the ships of this squad
ron as well as to the ships themselves and
the talk of sending Sampson in charge of
this eastern squadron is consequently rath-
er speculative at this time. OF course 1t
Is well understood that in the event that
peace is restored there must be a complete
reorganization and redistribution of the
United States naval forces, and this will
involve undoubtedly the separation of the
four naval commanders of high rank now
on duty in connection with the north At
lantic fleet, namely, Admiral Sampson
commodore Watson, Commodore Schley
and Commodore Howell The north Allan
tic fleet comprises about a hundred vessels
the most numerous and powerful force ever
commanded by an American admiral. Such
gigantic force would not be mainta aimed on
one station in time of peace Many of the
auxiliary vessels and the monitors which
are unhl Tor general cruising, will be re-
tired from commission and laid up in the
navy yard or, in the case of the former
Sold A sufficient force of the remaining
vessels Will be retained on the north At
lantlc station to maintain il as the most
Important naval command. The others are
10 De distributed between the various other
stations, Pacific, Asiatic and south Allan
TIC. The European station, which was va
Gated completely just prior to the declara-
.ioh OF war, will be rehabilitated, and for
lIx .ne sake OF the moral effect likely to result
VIII receive some of the most powerful and
modern ships in the American navy. II
VIII also be possible with the ships at the
Navy departments disposal to carry ont
lohs-cherlshed project for the reation of
d new station in the south Pacific with q
pass PROBABLY at Valparaiso or Callao
Under this plan of REORGANIZATION tbere viii
pe openings for several officers of flag rank
anu anu mus 1t is expected that there will he
officers 'e'"eeh THESE
but with the exception of the eastern
Squauron the north Atlantic fleet is NOT To
pe diminished as long as the war continues
.'ioie ciearly than ever il is now perceived
70 oe the strong right arm of the country
ana the naval officials are congra tulafing
themselves that they were able to resist
one one pfessure that was brought to bear at
one time upon them to expose this tra
niehuous force to dissipation by proftless
attacks upon fortified ports A distineuisb-
eu iiaval ofhcer calls attention 10 the fact
ehat the most serious results might have
lollowed the disclosure of the demoraIizad
tphuitloh or our army at Santiago had NOT
'ne navy been a hand to protect II NJ
"itnstanolng the best efforts of rensorsbi,,
oter teiegraph and mails 1t is believed that
,he Spanish government had acnpirad
nn.nowieose n''. OF the situation at Santiago
but IL was powerleSS to profit hy n for H.
reason that thc navy blocked tho UaT- Ia
prevented the dispatch of reinforcenants
anu supplies to the Spanish army in Cnbo
the lack OF which obliged Gen ToraI 10
surrender AnG thus it happens that tho
sis nans mas again. though this time in a neg
dIiNe way. been of the greatest service =
the country and justified the wisdon, ne ~, ~
oilceTs VINO refused to expose il to nead-
less destruction II " heed-