The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-25
FLEETS ON A WAR FOOTING
DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DAY OF
GREAT IMPORTANCE
Sailing of the Spanish Torpedo Flo
tiIIa Followed by Orders Assign
Ing Capt. Sampson to the Conn
mand of the Key West Squadron
Government Purchases Eight
Yachts and -Four Tugs.

WASHINGTON March 24-This was
day OF unexampled activity in all off,
cial quarters. Advices came early that
the Spanish torpedo fiotilia had sailed
from the Canaries for Porto Rico, and
from this moment the most energetic
Warllke measures followed one another
| in constant succession.
The movement of this fleet has been
watched with the keenest interest, as
1t was felt to involve serious possibili-
ties which might compel the United
States government to protest against
the movement as of a hostile character.
Immediately on the receipt Of the off,
cial dispatch from one of our naval
| attaches abroad, briefly announcing the
sailing of the fleet, the fact was made
known to the president and an earnest
conference was held between him and
Secretary Long and Assistant Secre-
| tary Roosevelt. The seriousness Of the
movement was fully, considered and the
president was advised that naval stra-
tegists regarded it as essential that this
torpedo fleet should not be allowed
to reach western waters. What if any
conclusion, was reached, is not known
Later in the day the Spanish minister
called at the state department and
spent some time with Judge Day. 1t
was Naturally inferred that the ap-
proach Of the Spanish flotilla was one
OF the subjects referred to. Whether,
however, there was any suggestion
against the move was not disclosed by
either Judge Day or the Spanish minis
ter. both of whom maintained the
strictest reticence.
Following the f1otilla announcement
important news came rapidly The first
was this announcement by Secretary
Long, indicating the placing of our
squadron and fleet on war footing:
War Footing.
Admiral Sicard has been granted leave,
very much to the regret Of the navy de-
partment, and altogether ON account of his
health.
! Capt Sampson has been made COM
mander of the fleet at Key West.
Capt Evans has been ordered to take
command of the battleship' Iowa.
The orders to the squadron at Hampton
Roads have not yet been issued.
Although the announcement did not
state so. it soon became known that
Commodore Schley wassslated to COM
mand the flying squadron.
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 disas-
ter.
Capt. 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.
Capt Robley Evans is better known
as Fighting Bob
The next important move was de-
termination to create g. joint commits
sion from the war and navy depart
ments so as to bring them into har-
monious action on all measures. Capt
Barker, the naval aide Of Secretary
Long, was designated TO represent the
navy department in this common plan
of action. The representative of the
war department has not yet been nam
ed. II will not be necessary for these
two officers to leave Washington, as
they can best arrange a joint plan Of
action in conference with the two de-
partmentS here.
Then at the close of the day came an
announcement that the navy depart
ment had succeeded in purchasing e eh.
steam yachts and four steam tugs TIE
boats are about 400 tons each and In
an emergency would be suitable as tor
pedo boats. The yachts purchased are
among the f1eetest along the Atlantic
coast and are said to be somewhat
similar to the Mayf1ower recently pur-
chased of the Ogden Goelet estate.
This acquisition to the navy is re-
garded as an exceptionally valuable one
at the present time, as the greatest
torpedo boats and dispatch boats
There was additional satisfaction at
the navy department at the large num-
Der secured in a single purchase.
The names and amounts paid for the
various yachts and tugs are not dis
closed, as it is said this would prove
an embarrassment to the government
! in promoting speculation on other craft
for which negotiations are now pro-
ceeGing.
Mason for. War.
Senator Mason, of Illinois, was at the
navy department during the morning
and was one of the first to learn that
the Spanish torpedo fiotilla had left
the Canaries. He talked with the Off
cials on this move, and later when ask
ed what he thought of this action by
Spain, he said:
ut means that they are coming to
this side either to fight the insurgents
| or to fight us. The insurgents are In
the mountains and the torpedo boats