Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-14
ADMIRAL SCHLEYS CALL
He Visits the Department to Confer About
His Cruise.
Will Raise His Flag on the CHICAGO
acknowledgements Duties
to Be Performed.

Rear Admiral Schley who is about to as
sumo command Of the South Atlantic
squadron, called at the Navy Department
today and had a long conference with Act
ing Secretary of the Navy Allen concerning
the general character of the service on
which he is about to embark. 1t was the
admiral's final call before leaving, as he
goes Thursday to New York where on
next Saturday he will raise his flag on the
cruiser Chicago, flagship of the squadron.
The sailing orders of the ship. giving her
route and destination, have not yet been is
sued. and 1t is said a definite determination
has not been reached on that point. The
admiral's visit led to renewed conjecture
as to the probability of his going to some
of the South African ports, which are
within the limits of the South Atlantic sta
ton. AS to this, however, the admiral de-
clined to say a word and there was the
same retcence throughout naval circles. 1t
is understood, however, that it was among
the matters gone over today, and the view
prevails in well-informed quarters that the
governments general line of policy as to
the South African war will be made known
to Admiral Schley before he sails, there
after he will be the executive officer In
closest touch with the field of action. The
conference brought about no developments
in connection with the personal controver-
sizes which have occurred of late.
The British Transport Service.
1t is possible that one of the chief duties
which will devolve on Admiral Schley will
be to make full report to the Navy De-
partment upon the South African end of
the British transport service. The Chica-
60 since being refitted, us considered one
of the best long-range cruisers in the serv-
ice. She mas been pushed to an average
speed of fraction over eighteen knots for
a period of over seventy-two hours, while
at her economical cruising speed of about
eleven knots, she is good for over 1000
miles
This government is particularly interest
ed in the troop movements that are now
being made by Great Britain, and the army
and navy attaches at London have been in
Structed to report fully upon the embarka-
ton of troops and all matters of inter-
est connected with the transport service at
their end of the line.
The army has its representative who will
soon be with The British troops on shore
in South Africa, and it is proposed that
the navy watch the, debarkation arrange
ments at Cape Town and other South ART
ports, WHARF, landings will be made
May Go to Cape Town.
The Chicago is particularly well fitted for
that duty, and 1t is possible that Cape
Town may be one of her early points of
call. The British are solving some inter-
eSting problems IN transportation, not for
the first time but III new ways, and their
experience. it is thought, will be valuable
to our government. The Navy Department,
it is said, relies upon the ability and good
Judgment of Admiral Schley in this inter-
esting service, and intends to give him an
opportunity to do some valuable work in
his new independent command. II is init
mated also that there are other important
duties which will devolve upon Adn.iraI
Schley's flagship ON this voyage, and that
her foreign cruise promises to be long
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