The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-26
This Verdict of the Court Of Inquiry with Confidence and with
Freedom Confirmed by Admiral Scard.

of Naval pqlLipment completed plans
for securing a Naval coaling station IN
waters south of Cuba, and the papers
are now ready for final action. The
station will not be on NavasSa island,
as has been suggested, but is likely 10
be ut one of the several line narbors OF
Hayti or San Domingo Or else or the
Danish island of st. Thomas, which IS
open to prchase from Denmark for Il
considerable sum. Late to-day the bat
tleship Texas was ordered from Hamp-
ton Roads to the New York Navy Yard
to repair her machinery for holsting
ammunition and guns. Favorable an
swers were received from the New York
Naval Militia of their readiness on short
notice to supply officers and men to
man the single trreted monitors now
called into service.
Orders were issued to-day to have all
the war ships painted black, a color that
is better adapted to hOstilities because
the vessels will not afford as good tar
get.
The Navy Department was Informed
bv cabegram from Lieutenant G0lwell,
Naval Attache to the United States Em-
bassy ut London, that agents OF this gov
ernment had purchased a "Schishau'
torpedo boat that had been constructed
for the German government. The new
acquisition is of the general type of Ger
man torpedo boats and is regarded as a
valuable addition to our Navy. One fea-
ture regarding her that affords special
Qualification to the officials of the Navy
Department is that she is now ready for
sea. 1t is expected that in n few days
she will leave for the United States. She.
will be able to make the journey across
the Atlantic without difficulty, as she
is good sea going vessel and her coal
capacity is ample for the trip to this
country. 1s@-@sssa
She is 23-knot vessel, and about $50
feet long. While of the same general
type as the Rodgers and Foote, of the
United States Navy, she is a t1ifie larger.
At the Navy Department the precise dl-
menSions of the new boat could not be
given. i ne price paid for her the Navy
officials declined at this time to state but
it was said TO be very reasonable,
Work on the vessel has just been com
pleted. she never having been in service.
She is supposed to carry three torpedo
tubes and two small calibre rapid fire
guns. Nine to twleve men will be need
ed to man her.
Word reached the Navy Department
office to-day that the Spanish authorities
have taken steps to supplement the eX-
isting forti.cations at San Juan De
Puerto Rico, the main port of the island
of Porto Rico. The news is regarded as
significant. Porto Rico is the only other
possession which belongs to Spain on
thGs hemisphere beside Cuba The Off
ciais of the department while acknOw-
etlging that information of the above
character has reached them are yet very
cllary about imparting any of the details
to the press. The city of Puerto Rico
is fortified after the old style prevalent
in early days. the defenses consisting of
II wall which completely circles it, of
several forts at strategic points. while
the only points Of egr6ss and ingresS are
through massive gates. These f0rtifica
tions are being strengthened and the
armament has been increased by two
large guns of formidable pattern and
calibre. San Juan has 23,414 inhabi-
tants.
General Flagler. Chief of Ordnance Of
the Army, to-day had a long conference
with Secretary Alger with reference to
additional guns and gun cartridges. A
few days ago Secretary Alger allotted to
General Flagler $1,600,O00 from the
emergency appropriation made by Con
gress to be used by the Ordnance Bu-
reau i'll the discretion Of General Flag
Ter. This amount was not, in the Opin-
ion of General Flagler, sufficient to meet
the requirements of the present emer-
gency and his conference with the Secre-
tary was to obtain an additional allow
ance. After careful canvass of the sit
uation, Secretary Alger gave General
Fiagler Il liberal additional allotment
from the appropriation, but no infOrma-
ton could be obtained either from Gen
eral Flagler or from the Secretary's of
fee as to it's amount.
The sum must be a very considnrohle
one. however. as General Flagler said
rhat II was to be used to cover DrO-
VlSlonal contracts entered into for the
construction Of new guns of various
calibres and their necessary carriages.
tending action on the report of the
Court of Inquiry, Lieutenant Command
or Mark. the Judge Advocate of the
Court will be on special duty in the office
of the Judge Advocate General. Here
he will he available to supply any in
formation that the President or the
Secretary OF the Navy may desire in
connection with the progress of the
court
The enlistment of men for the Naval
service is progressing satisfactorily at
the Washington Navy Yard, and Il good
class of men is being obtained.
Lieutenant Colwell. Naval Attache to
the United States Embassy at London,
has been directed by the Navy Depart
mcnt to urge upon the builders of the
recently purchased cruiser Albany.
formerly the Brazilian vessel Abreuall.