The evening times., 1900-01-06
WAR Vessels FOR AFRICA
The Sending Of American Ships
Under Discussion.
Naval Officers Believe That the Unit
ed states should he Represented
Great Britain and the BOers-No
JnfriendIy Intentions to Either.

There has been some discussion of the
project of sending an American warship
TO South African waters 1t is understood
the State Department officials do not Ia
vor precipitate action, while some of the
naval officers believe the service should be
represented near the scene of the Trans
yaal troubles. 1t would not be surprising
10 naval officers if orders were issued dur
ing the next few weeks for a naval repre-
sentation on the African coast.
There is a large force of vessels in the
North Atlantic and South Atlantic fleets
which would be available for this service
No one expects the department would pro-
pose sending more than two or three ships
and none of them Of great power in a
fighting sense. The reasons which would
actuate such an assignment Of naval ships
do not include anything unfriendly TO the
British 1t is merely in the line, say the
State Department people, Of the usual poll
cy OF protecting our interests abroad.
The seizure of American ships bearing
foodstuffs is only an incident and need not
be regarded as calling for a menacing ma
val demonstration in African waters, but
il is probably one of the conditions which
will finally prompt the sending to South
Africa OF a few or at least Of one of our
ships Of war.
1t is understood the subject has been dis
cussed by the Cabinet without a decision
beyond the necessity of closely observing
the situation at the scene Of conflict and
the maintenance OF strict vigilance in keep
ing our ships of war in good condition. In
this connection the attitude of the German
Government in its relations with the Brit
ish is watched with much in terest There
have been indefinite hints that the ships
of foreign nations would appear on the
tracks of steamers likely to be stopped by
the British authorities and all such talk
attracts much attention in the Navy De-
partment.
The neutral aspects OF the case do not
disturb naval officers in consideration OF
the proposition 10 send American warships
10 Africa They adhere to the belief that
we should be represented at every scene
of trouble and there is no occasion to en-
courage the fiction that the appearance of
our vessels in African waters or elsewhere
would be a manifestation of our official
sympathy for the British cause We have
no ships on the European station. where
We have many interests. and the neglect
OF that important station has been fruit
full topic OF gossip among naval officers.
The despatch OF ships to African waters
is a question which under ordinary circum-
stances involves the present South Allan
tic fleet The African section comes under
Rear Admiral Schey whose command eX-
tends to hat part Of the world. He has IN
nis squadron The Chicago the flagship OF
the heet. and the Montgomery and Will
mington. Capt. c. H. Rockwell is in COM
mand Of the ChiCaeo, Commander }. p.
Merrill Of the Montgomery, and Command
er c. o. Alliboue CT the Wilmington. All
OF these shiIs at last accounts were at
Buenus Ayres.
Ii is likely IL Schley Is ordered TO Africa
he viii take the Chicago and one OF the
other two ships which comprise his dimin-
utive command. Il is possible. Of course,
instead of sending either Of the smaller
vessels now on the South Atlantic the de
partment viii designate the Detroit. the
MachiaS, the Nankton. or the Eagle to ac-
company the Chicago. The other ships Of
the North Atlantic feet are too formidable
for the pacific duty of protecting American
interests. The Detroit is at Key West. the
Machias a San Juan the Eagle and Yank-
ton are on surveying duty in Cuban wa
ters from which they could be recalled
without much trouble.
When Rear Admiral Schley was sent TO
the South Atlantic station he was ordered
70 proceed directly TO these waters. There
was much gossip at the tine as to the
nature Of his Instructions. which were sup
posed 10 leave 10 his own discretion the
privilege OF visiting the African coast.