The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-25

Following the flotllla announcement
important news followed rapidly. The
first was this announcement by SEQ
retary Long. indicating the placing
Of our squadron and feet on war
footing:
Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret of tho
navy department. although on account
of his health. Captain Sampson has
been made commander Of the fleet at
Key West Captain Evans has been
ordered to take command of the bat
tleship Iowa"
Although the announcement did not
modore w. S. Schley was slated to
command the flying squadron" In
Hampton Roads.
This announcement was recognized
at once as of unusual Importance at
this juncture. Admiral Sicard has been
in command of the feet at Key West
throughout the critical period Of the
Maine disaster. Captain Sampson has
been in command of the Iowa, but
more recently has been conspicuous
before the public as president of the
Maine court of inquiry. Captain Rob-
ley Evans Is known as Fighting Bob"
The next Important move was de-
termination to create q joint commis-
sion from the war and navy depart
ments, SO as to bring them into har-
monious action on all measures. Cap
tain Barker. the naval aide Of secre-
tary Long. was designated to represent
| hn Ant, t,, III, ~ -
action. The representative Of the war
department has not yet been named.
1t will not be necessary for these two
officers to leave Washington, as they
can best arrange joint plan Of action
in conference with the bureau chiefs
Of the two departments here.
Then, at the close Of day, came an
| announcement that the navy depart-
ment has succeeded In purchasing eight
steam yachts and four steam tugs,
presumably at and near New York.
for use In the auxiliary naval fleet The
boats ara about 400 tons each, and
in an emergency would be suitable as
torpedo boats. The yachts purchased
are among the feetest along the At
lantic coast, and are said to be some-
what similar to the Mayfower, re-
Gently purchased Of the Ogden Goelet
estate. The names and amounts paid
for the various yachts and tugs are
not disclosed, as 1t is said this would
prove an embarrassment to the gov
ernment In promoting speculation on
other craft for which negotiations are
now proceeding.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance.
senators and representatives from both
political parties calling to confer with
the president. The president said to
several of his visitors that he would
do everything consistent with the
honor and dignity Of the country to
avert war. and he still believed war
could be ayerted. He also said that he
believed the government of Spain was
as anxious for peace as we were, but
at the same time he did not hesitate
to admit the gravity Of the situation.
The president frankly acknowledges
that he believes the report of the board
CT Inquiry will find that the Maine was
blown UP from the outside. His pro-
gram has been definitely decided upon.
1t Is his purpose to treat the blowing
UP Of the Maine as an incident. The
report of the board will be sent to
congress on Monday. with very brief
message relating to the events leading
up to that point and informing con-
gress that the facts contained In the
report have been cabled to Madrid to
be laid before the Spanish government
by Minister Woodford. No demand
will be made upon Spain. but the laying
of the facts before the Spanish gov
ernment will be equivalent to calling
upon Spain for an explanation and
such action as she may deem proper.
IT is tho purpose of the house lead
ers to refer the report and message
TO the committee on foreign affairs |
without debate, and to this program |
1t is believed the Democrats of the
house have acquiesced. reserving the |
right to demand action if "A report |
from the, committee IS too long de-
layed. Much will then depend upon
Spain's response, but there are those
rlt Sc to the president who believe that
from the time the report Is sent to
It will drop out as a factor
In the situation. The second part of
the presidents program reaches the
Maine question, and involves inter
tcntion on humanitarian grounds with
in week or ten davs after the re-
oGrt of the board goes to congress. It
will be. intervention to relieve the
starvation in Cuba, and upon Spain's
or objection to this act will
.opcnd peace or war. A prominent
member of the house said that in his
opinion the next two weeks would 1e-
ermine which 1t would be-
The attention of Assistant Secretary
If State Day was called to story
'rlnted in New York which represented
lin as having declared that the Span.
sh situation had gone beyond diplo-
matte adjustment. He said: II did
lot say to any one and have never for
moment thought that the present
elations between Spain and the United
'tates were beyond the hope OF dlplo-
matte adjustment. I have not advo-
ated sending Cuban relief supplies in
var vessels. I did not say that this
overnment should intervene at once
nd force Cuban freedom and have
ever advocated such course"
'APTAIN SIMPSONS ELEVATION
Was Surprise to Navy Officers.
Captain Evans Popularity.
Key West, March 25.-The news that
aptain William II. Sampson, of the
owa, had succeeded Rear Admiral
icard in command Of the fleet caused
o end Of excitement among the naval 4
Ulcers here. The admiral himself
new nothing of the change until he
'as shown the press dispatch As
lready stated in these dispatches. It
as known by the best Informed that
dmral Sicard was to be relieved, but
o one thought the change would come
! nuicklY The selection of Cantain |