The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-07
N0SNUB TOOUR ADMIRAL
THE GREATEST COURTESY Fossil
BILE SHOWN IN CUBA.
AN Officer of the Cruiser Newark De-

An Officer OF the Cruiser Newark De-
MES q Report to the Contrary-The
American Warships Seluted Before
They Reached Their Anchorage
Point in the Harbor
NORFOLK, VA, April 6.-Lieut. Kilburn
Of the cruiser Newark, which is at the Nor
folk navy yard, was in the city to-day.
When questioned as to the truth OF an arti-
c.e which appeared in & New York news
paper on April entitled, "a Snub to an
American Admiral, )" he said it is so grossly
in error that statement Of the facts in the
case seems called for to correct any possible
impression that an indignity or slight had
been offered to the commander-in-chief of
the United States ships-of-war at
Havana. On the contrary, the most
hospitable courtesy and the great
est consideration were shown to the
American admiral and other officers by the
captain general of Havana, the Spanish ad-
miral and all the other officials with whom
be came in contact. Upon the arrival of
the Newark and Bennington the officers of
the port were received on board at the
usual place and pilOted the ships to their
berths, which were assigned to them on the
most convenient location In the harbor
For this service they refused TO receive any
compensation from the American ships,
they having been employed for the purpose
by the Spanish government. Officers reps
resenting captain of port and Span
ish admiralty boarded the New
ark before she had reached
the inner harbor with an offer of any ass
distance or any facilities for supplies which
might be required during the stay OF the
ships in port.
SALUTED BY A MAN-OF-WAR.
Before reaching the position where the
usual salutes could be fired by the American
ships, the Spanish man-of-war III port
dressed the ship rainbow fashion, with the
American flag at the main and fired a salute
OF twenty-one guns. These saluteS were
fired before the arriving ships had an op-
portunity TO salute the port which was an
honor rarely If ever extended before. Dur
ing the entire stay OF the American ships
the Spanish vessels remained dressed" and
Illuminated at night with electric lights
Within half an hour after anchoring
the Spanish admiral, accompanied by his
flag lieutenant, called upon our admiral
which was also unusual, as by naval custom
the officer arriving at port always makes
the first call. On the folio EIGg day our ad-
mlral, accompanied by his staff, called upon
the captain general Of Havana, by whom
he was received with the greatest considers
alton. An invitation to dine was extended
by the captain general, but was declined,
owing to anticipated orders from Washing
ton. This invitation was urged with great
hospitality, and our ADMIRAL was pressed to
prolong his stay, for the purpose Of ao~
cepting.
A sIIP-UP EXPLAINED.
"a regulation of the Spanish government
prevents the governor captain general
from visiting ships-of-war in the harbor
He appoints an officer of proper rank TO
represent him on such occasions. The ad-
miraps visit to the captain general was at
IL O'clock on March q. Gen. Lono of the
Spanish army was appointed to return this
visit aG O'Clock Of the same day, but the
governors order miscarried and did not
reach him until after dark. As the admiral
sailed at o'clock the next morning, it be-
came impossible to carry out the gov
ernOr's wishes, all OF which was subse4
quently explained with many expressions
of regret, to the consul general of the
United States at Havana, which explana-
tion was forwarded to the admiral by the
governors request. Upon the transfer of
the caravals to the Spanish authorities, the
american ensign was hoisled on both the
Nina and Pinta and saluted with twenty
one guns by each of the five Spanish men
ot~war in port, an act Of International
courtesy which was duly acknowledged by
Au6 -F6WAIh uul DSuDlHRSCn Dy IDeir re-
turning the salute when the Spanish flag
was hoisted
when the American ships left the har-
Dor ct O'Clock the following morning the
Spanish flagship signeled our admiral q
parting good.by and wish for pleasant
voyage home. The courteous consideration
and attention with which our flag and our
admiral have been received at every port
visited during the past cruise of the New
ark in European waters was in no respects
abated during the visit to Havana. A
sense of what is due the Spanish officials
after their hospitablo efforts and show Of
respect to the people Of the United States
through their naval representatives impels
this public contradiction OF any statement
to the contrary"
HERBERT SHOWN THE INTERVIEW.
WASHINGTON. April 6-Secretary Her
bert was tonight shown the interview with
Lieut.. Kilburn Of the Newark, now at the
Norfolk iVa.) navy yard, regarding the
alleged snubbing of naval officers at Hay-
ana. Secretary Herbert said he was not
personally acquainted with Lieut.. Kilburn
and therefore was not in position to dis
cues the staten ent made by him, but as
he was an officer of the Newark he should
be conversant with ell the facts. Secretary
Herbert said he had received no official adj
vices OF the reported suubbiEg of the Amer
lcan officer at Hevana, and If such a thing
had occurred be would surely have been iu-
formed Of 1t. Tho Spanish government had
always been friendly in its intel course with
the United States.