The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-26
CONTENT IS NOT FRIENDLY.
Spanish Papers Do Not Regard a Bat
tlsship as Friendships Token.
sHE MAINE is IN HAVANAS HABBoR.
She 1. saiuted Ry the Fcrts AMI War vos-
sels -Rumors OF n Misunderstanding
between Congosto and Gen. fttz
Lee-The situation Unchanged.

United states oatueshp MAINE 10 H"
yana viii provoke conflict and adds:
Europe cannot doubt Americas atti-
Jude toward Spain. but the Spanish PEG
pie. II necessary. will do their duty with
honor.
The Epoca asks II the dispatch of the
Maine To Havana II intended as sop
10 the Hngocs" and adds: I'VE cannot
suppose the American Government so
naive or badly informed as 10 imagine
that the presence of American war ves-
sels at Havana will be a cause OF salts
faction 10 Spain or an indication OF
friendship.
Admiral ChGcon. the admiral OF the feet
arrived here to-day and had long con
ference with Admiral BcrmeJo. the Min
,ster of Marine. lie asserted that the
recent cvolutions had demonstrated the
perfect condition of the f. Ct.
The next Cabinet Council VIII decide
which American ports the Spanish men
OF war are 10 visit. ,,..
The Spanish papers sharply stlgmatize
the Maine incident as an act OF uA"a'-
1anfcd proNOca'On.
Most Of them however. counsel the pee
plr of Havana 10 show forebsarance.
In official circles the tendency IS 10 ac-
cept the argument that the united oe"se,o
tach importance to the visit OF an Amer
can vessel TO Havana. ~
IN HAVANA HARBOR.
HAVANA, Jan. 25.-The United states
battlcship Maine. commanded by ChaTleS
ID Sigsbec. which left Key west Ia, on
January 24lh. arrived here at IL o CLOCK
this morning. ana was saiu''u ny t"0
forts and war vessels.
Concerning a report In circulatlon Of
slight misunderstanding between General
F'itzhugh Lee and DIR. C0ngosto. the cor
respondent OF the Associated Press, calleu
upon the United States Consul-General
and was informed that nothing unpleas-
ant had happened at the interview which
took place between himsf and Dr. CON
gosio when rdmor had II that the mis-
understanding occurred.
shortly after the arrival here or the
Maine. Lieutenant Albert Mcdraro' repre-
senting the captain of the port. Vice
Admiral Jose Pastor. visited The United
States battleship and extended the GUS
toniary cOuriesies
The arrival of the warship caused much
surprise and excited considerable Gu
rlosiiy.
No DISTURBING NEWS.
WASHINGTON. January 25.-The Cabi-
net met at the usual nour to-day but gave
only a short notice to thc subject OF the
Cuban situation. ana that was confined
closely to expressions Of satisfaction AT
the manner IN which the American press
and people had received me news OF the
administration action in sending the
Maine 10 Havana There was no news
from Consul-Gcneral Lee of later date
than yesterday. TWO cablegrams came
from HIM last night, but they were not OF
particular significance.
II ia said that they were both in an
f.ra
state Department, ana IL is presumed
that one at least had reference to the
reported presence Of German warships in
Havana harbOr.
The other reported that he was aOle 10
feed 20oO persons daily in the city
II WAS stated positively that in neither
cablegram was there any request Sr
warship or reference to the Maine
movements.
message came to the Navy Depart
ment this morning from Admiral Scard'
He wired that ne had received and exc
cuted Secretary Long order respecting
the Maine and that she you'd sail at
once.
The order probably was received by the
Admiral abont 10 o'clock last night while
off Tortugas harbor and the answer came
back 10 Key West on the torpedo boat
Dupont which carried over the order.
A telegram from Consul-General Lee
was received NJ me state Department
to-day at o'clock and was carried by
Assistant Secretary Day over to the
white House for the information of the
President.
EVERY COURTESY.
In this telegram Consul Lee said the
Maine had been received with every
courtesy The commanders Of German
10, hn
mad called upon me commander of the
Maine. who had returned their calls; the
SPANISH forts had fired salutes and all
The ceremonies called Cor by naval ETH
ouette had been observed. In addition
the Consul-General stated that everything
was tranquil in Havana.
The department officials have heard no.
thing officially OF any trouble or misun-
derstanding between Consul-General Lee
and Secretary General Congosto and at
tach little importance to the rumors 10
that effect.
n is suggested that the basis may be
the report current several days ago that
DIR. Congosto had expressed displeasure
because General lee had declined 10 state
officially that he had not predicted failure
Tor the autonomy plan.
II ,s said at the Navy Department that
as matters stand there is no call for
further instructions at present to Cap
tain sigsbee who is permitted TO use MS
own discretion in dealing with the events
OF the day. although ne has been enjoin'
ed TO consult freely with Consul-Genera
Lee and was also infinitely instructed be-
fore he arrived at Havana as To Tho
wishes Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
PRACTICALLY PRISONERS.
II is likely that the Names crew will
be kept closely aboard ship. In this way
the probabilities Of an unfriendly en-
counter between convival party OF
sailors and rowdies will be reduced
Moreover The confinement IS believed to
be necessary as a means OF preserving
the ships company from the danger of
contracting yellow fever which. Il Is un-
derstood. IT. now IN evidence In Havana
because the Name men must remain
under this close restriction. II is likely
that the chip will not be kept long In
Havana harbOr. but that she will be re-
placed In the course of few weeks by
one OF the cruisers. such as the Marble
head or the Montgomery. IL is not deem
cd proper 10 venture one of the heavy
draught battleships like the Iowa oil
Indiana into Havana harbor save In al
emergency. because it would be need
Less exposure OF the vessels 20 accident.
NO SUCH ADVICES.
WASHINGTON. u. G. Jan. 20.-Assist
ant Secretary % State Day on beinf