Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-16
FROM WASHING TON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.l

WASHINGTON, March 16.
The war preparations being made by
the United States, the assembling of
ships at Key West, the purchase Of
cruisers abroad and the emergency
measures in the War and Navy De-
partmepts have come to the official at
tention of the Spanish government and
the views of the Spanish Cabinet there
on have been communicated to the
State Department here. This has not
taken the form Of protest, however. II
is rather by way of representations,
conveyed in friendly spirit and with
out threat, as to the serious influences
which these preparations will have in
encouraging the Cuban insurgents
at the moment when the autonomy
IlAn is to have its crucial trial through
the Cuban elections, and in this way de-
feat the reforms Premier Sagasts is
seeking to carry out. 1t has been
specially pointed out that the presence
of large fleet of S. warships at Key
West cannot be regarded as friendly
measure as the sending of ships was
officially represented to be when
the Maine went to Havana and the
Vlzcaya returned the complimentary
visit 10 short, the presence of this ex-
tensive fleet near Cuba, together with
the war measures taken by the United
States, are regarded by Spain as seri-
ously prejudical to the policy of au-
tonomy which Spain and the
United States have alike approved,
and an indirect encouragement to
the Insurgents in defeating the
dasires of both governments for the
success OF that policy. Finally. and
in the same spirit Of friendly represen-
tation rather than of protest, Spain
has pointed out that a war by the
United States against Spain under such
circumstances would be unjustifable
before the world, and q crime against
humanity and civilization, The repre-
sensations contained no reference what
ever to the Maine disaster or to re-
dress or indemnity therefor.
The published semi-official statement
of he Spanish Cabinets view as to the
responsibility of the United States in
the Cuban situation has created an i'm
preston. Officials decline to discuss it
publicly, but there is general belief that
the publication marks the beginning of
a new chapter in the troubled relations
between the United States and Spain.
The statement is believed to be a first
step towards forming public opinion in
Europe in anticipation Of failure on
the part of the Spanish officials to make
q success of the autonomous programme
which il had outlined and that an ct
tempt is to be made to place the re-
sponsiblity upon the United States for
any failure that may follow. That the
will be influenced by
the suggestion that the presence of the
fleet of the North Atlantic squadron at
Key West is disturbing factor is not
believed for moment.
Although the Secretary of the Navy
is still pursuing his quest for suitable
that m&y be purchased in
Europe, beyond the two already Sc
cured at the Armstrong works 10
further acquisitions have been made.
Meanwhile, it appears that there is
much larger stock of vessels at home
available for naval use than was gener-
ally supposed. Many OF them will
make cruisers and gunboats almost
equal to vessels of the unprotected
cruiser type now in the navy. Such
vessel, the MayhoWer, was acquired to.
day by the department. she is 2,400
tons displacement and 27S feet long.
She has already a small battery aboard,
and is now being fitted for service as s
{ ,rp edo t0it dectrt yer.
A brief telegram from Admiral Sic
ard announced the arrival at Key West
of the Mangroye with the court of in-
1uiry board. All the officials at the
department. profess the deepest igno-
rance as to the plans of the board and
as TO whether or no tit will
return to Havana.
Considering the competition offered
By the Navy and Marine Corps in the
enlistment of recruits, the War Depart
nent feels that 1t is doing very we'll in
securing men for the artillery regiments.
The Adjutant Generals report to day
was that 220 men hag been secured.
Secretary of War Aiger SEPT to the
House to-day an additional deficiency
estimate of $466, 400, for the present
fiscal year fef the pay, ETC., OF the army.
The officials of the engineers office Of
he War Department have indicated to
Secretary Alger their desire that they
% allotted 100000 for fertilization
of the emergency appropria-
Ion OF $4,000 appropriated by Con-
,ress.