The morning times., 1897-03-07
LONG DOES NOT KNOW It.
Has Not Discussed the Ordering
of a WarShip to Cuba.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY
Mr.. Mckinley Said 10 Favor the
Dispatch of Man-of-War TO
Cuba. Not as Menace TO Spain,
But 10 Protect American Inter-
GHls.

IL Il reported that the purpose Of the
new administration Is 10 place a waTship
IN Havana harbor, not as a menace to the
Spanish nation. but as a preCauti0n against
injury to American interests. II this be
the design, however, il has not yet been
communicated to the new Secretary OF
the Navy.
Secretary Long was asked by a Times
reporter last night whether or not the
proposition had been subject of discussion
between himself and the President, or
whether il tad been in anywise called 10
his attention.
1T has not, he answered. You
tell me OF the rumor, and that is the
first l have heard of the matter from
any source"
Asked for his opinion Of such a move
upon the part OF this government, the
Secretary replied:
why, | cannot even discuss it, for
know OF no intention TO take the step.
1t has not even been mentioned in my
presence, and | had heard nothing of
IL until this moment. Affairs are re-
ported TO be very quiet there now"
Assistant Secretary McAdoO was asked
earlier in the afternoon for information
upon Illt sulBJtIA, anu tltS htNollc SAS iiiti'iS
public were placed before him. He
replied thai he knew nothing about it,
but that he could not with propriety dis
cuss it, since all such matters were now
In the hands OF Secretary Long.
The story as given out is to the effect
that President Mckinley has decided to
place a man-of-war in Cuban waters, near
enough to Havana for the protection of
Ia
nothing until Secretary Long could be a
party to it, he not having then been In
Quoted into office 1t was also stated
that several Cabinet sessions would be
held, at which the matter might be fully
discussed before the issuance of the order
for the transfer of a vessel
It is alleged that the President re-
CARDS il as desirable that warship be
placed at Havana, and as affairs on the
island are now reported to be quiet, the
time is regarded as opportune for the
carrying out OF a policy which many af-
firm should have been inaugurated long
ago.
Senator Elkins, a member of the Senate
Committee on Comme rec, who was asked
yesterday evening to give his views Of
the rumored intention of the President
to the police the Cuban harbor, said:
"A man-of-war should be sent there,
Ind / do not think Spain Will object if il
done; but whether or not Il is the purpose
OF the admnistr ton to do so l cannot
say If a ship is placed at Havana in
charge OF prudent commander, there viii
be no danger of a rupture of the peaceful
relations between this country and the
Spanish government"
IL is announced as the desire of this
government to avoid any appearance oi
unfriendliness toward Spain, but the ne
cessity for the adoption of the policy SUg
gested is recognized, and it is argued that
70 dispatch a vessel there now, when
,here is no immediate occasion for inter
vention, viii be less likely to offend SpaiI
than if the action is delayed until some
specific case shall arise when the rights
Of an American citizen will be iii jeopardy
Gen. FitZhugh Lee, the American consn
general, has Informed the State Depart
ment that all is quiet in Havana. and thai
he hopes to secure prompt trial of al
Americans imprisoned. Those who may
be shown to be innocent are TO he released
and if any be found guilty they are to III
sent out of the island.
In case the government should order 6
vessel to Havana, the Spanish minister
Senor de LONE, will probably protest, upol
the ground that it would complicate mat
ters with the insurgents and also becauss
ft is unnecessary as a measure for the pro
tection Of American interests.