Evening star., 1896-11-12
ADM IRAl Blu N CE
His Visit to the Navy Department
and the War Scare.
RIDICULED IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES
Secretary Herbert Says He Con-
tered About Winter Maneuvers.
PLAN MAY BE ABANDONED

ADMIRAL Bunce. commanding the North
Atlantic fleet. had another conference with
Secretary Herbert at the Navy Department
tnls morning in regard to the lons-deferrei
eVolutions of the vessels of that squadron
Inc admfrafs visit at this time has given
rise to all sorts OF sensational rumors of a
POSSIBLE conflict with Spain over the Cuban
affair. some of which go so far as TO saw
that tbs United States werships are being
placed on war footing with view to the
forcible seizure Of Havana.
IEis story Is predicated on the rumor that
Spain purposes to provoke hostili.ies with
the United States in order that it NAV
withdraw its forces from Cuba without
putting the ruling party in Spain in the
attitude or relinQuishing Cuba without a
struggle with a stronger power.
Hfdiculed In Adnninistrotfon Cire,e.-
The story is ridiculed in administration
circles as being exceedingly far-fetched,
and at the Navy Department 1t is stated
In the most positive terms that the visit
OF Admiral Bunce has no warlike signifi-
cance whatever. Secretary Herbert sent
out word that the admiral had come to talk
over the winter cruise OF the feet without
reference to any international question.
FROM another source 1t Is learned that
the proposed maneuvers in southern wa
tiers may be abandoned On account Of the
Interpretation that the newspapers are put
ting on the project. The plan for the fleet
to go into southern waters for drill and ex-
ercises on large scale during the winter
mas been under consideration for many
months past, and has no connection what
ever. 1t is stated. with the present situation
OF anairs in Cuba or Venezuela.
In view OF the war stories In c.rculat tion
1t Is probable that the department will
abandon the project for the present. lust
as 1t was compelled to do for the same
reason last winter when the admiral con-
templated extensive maneuvers in the
Caribbean sea
The situation OF affairs in Cuba and
venezuela was then about the same as II
Is at present. and the newspapers raised a
similar war scare. 1t was then feared that
a naval demonstration in the Caribbean
sea under existing condition might he con-
strued indicative of "A purpose on the
rart OF the United States to interfere, and
consequently lead to serious International
complications with Great Britain or Spain.
The result was that the evolutions were
abandoned.
Plan May he Abandoned.
The same arguments are now being ad-
vanced against the proposed .isit of the
fleet to the Caribbean sea at this time
when the relations between the United
States and Spain are Of such a delicate
and sensitive character that only the most
careful observance of international proprie-
ties can avert a possible rupture.
The presence of a large and formidable
fleet of American warships in the vicinity
of Cuba would unquestionably be regarded
by Spain in the nature of a menace re-
gardless of the peaceful purposes of the
fleet Consequently. unless the feet goes
there for the purpose of making a warlike
demonstra tion 1t is likely that it is expe-
dent to defer the contemplated evolutions
until a future date, when the conditions
are more propitous
Not Been Ordered Anywhere.
One thing stated positively at the Navy
Department is that the fleet has not been
ordered south or anywhere else as yet. and
that its future movements will be deter
mined entirely by circumstances. II this
means anything. it means that the authori-
ties are not altogether satisfied Of the wis.,
dom of sending the fleet away from the
United States under existing conditions