| Show THE NAVY SAVED spain knew of its demoralized condition but owing to the presence of the big denof war could not send reinforcements to general toral navy will ba reorganized ahen peace is restored washington aug G if the navy department part ment contemplates any lurther change in the composition of abo eastern squadron which was destined for a cruise to spanish waters the matter has not taken form yet this statement applice of the ships of this squadron equa dron as well to the chips themselves and the talk of sending admiral sampson in charge of this squadron Equa dron consequently is rather speculative at this time of course it is understood der stood in he event peace is restored resto there must be a complete reorganization and redistribution of the united states naval force and thia will involve undoubtedly the separation of four naval commanders of high rank now on duty in the north atlantic fleet namely admiral sampson commodore watson commodore schley and commodore howell the north atlantic fleet comprises about a hundred vessels the most name rouB and powerful force ever commanded by an american admiral such a big force will dot be maintained in time af peace many of the auxiliary vessels and which are unfit for general cruising will be retired from commission and laid ap pp in the navy yards or in the case ot the former will b sold A sufficient force of be retained on the atlantic squadron the othere are to be distributed between the various other stations in the pacific asiatic and south atlantic the european station which was vacated just prior to the declaration of war will ba rehabilitated and for toe sake of the moral effect likely to result will receive some ot the most powerful and modern ships in the american navy it will be possible also with the at the navy departments disposal to carry out a long cherished project tor the formation af a new station on the south pacific probably at valparaiso or Callao under this plan of reorganization there will be openings for several officers oi flag rank and thua it is expected that there will be less friction than heretofore between the officers but with tho exception of the eastern squadron the north atlantic is not to be diminished as long as the war continues more clearly than ever now it is perceived to be the strong krisht arm of the country and the naval officers are thanking that they were able to resist the pressure brought to bear upon them to expose this tremendous force to dissipation by profitless attacks on fortified ports A naval officer today called attention to the fact that the most cerious result might haver followed the disclosure ot demoralized condition of our army at santiago had not the navy been at band to protect it notwithstanding the best orts of censorship over the telegraph and mails it is said the spanish government bad acquired knowledge oi the condition at santiago but was powerless to profit by it for the reason the navy blocked the way and prevents the dispatch of reinforcements re and up to the spanish army in cuba the lack of which obliged gen toral to surrender |
