The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-16
SPANISH WAR SHIPS ACTIVE.
MOye RestIessly About Havana Har-
Dor. nn ff Expecting Something.

Move Restlessly About Havana Har-
Dor, ms IL Expecting Something.
CHICAGO, March &c. NJ. Pepper sends
the following to the Tribune from Havana
via Tampa, Fla: Havana harbor these
days is full of life and color. The Almirante
Oquendo and the Vizcaya with their black
hulls, make a. fine showing. The graceful
lines of the Montgomery compare favorably
with the harsher appearance of the Oquen-
do and Vizcaya. Its anchorage is quite
close to the Vizcaya. A small craft which
has been moved about the harbor several
times before finding an anchorage exc.tes
much curiosity, though it does not draw the
attention that the big ships receive. This
little craft flies the Spanish flag. 1t is
painted red so there is red. white and
black, forming the picture of war on the
water. The small vessel has six-inch gun
mounted forward 1t came mysteriously
into the harbor one night, whence no one
seemed to know. The story was that the
red craft had been in the navy yard under
going repairs. and lately had been engaged
On coast patroUduty to prevent flibustering,
but all the vessels which were In the navy
yard are there now, and credence is given
to the report that the new arrival is q tor
Dedo boat chaser the first of the torpedo
hotilla which is to be sent out by
Spain. 1 also heard it described as a small
ram. The designation is not important.
The chief thing is that its presence adds to
she activity in the harbor, which seems to
promise greater activity in the near future.
The presence of the Austrian training
ship is also noticed. The Spanish officials
will not be satisfied with the showing of
their country's prowess until the Pelayo
and others of that type are here. They
have moved the Alfonso XII pretty well
Around
yard the ships which have been lying there
for months show signs of preparation for
active duty, but none of them is of much
strength. 1t is upon the vessels which have
come from Spain and which are 70 come
that the minds of the officials are fixed.
With these they expect not merely to de-
fend the ports OF Cuba, but to attack the
ports on the Atlantic seaboard. Before long
they look for Spanish colors to be flying
from a dozen men-of-war in the harbor
and for the stars and stripes to come down
from the mast which rises from the wreck
of the Maines While everybody Is waiting
the waters of Havana are carefully policed
aud picketed.
The navy is said to be better taken care
of than the army. Instead OF nine months
arrears OF pay, which is the case with the
troops, the officers and crews of the war
Rhips are said to be only three or four
months late in receiving their dues They
haven't worn out their clothes as the SOL
diers have
II would be inconvenient if, after the
Vizcaya and the Oquendo are reinforced by
the Peiayo and other big ships, the whole
squadron should be shut up in the basin.
The entrance to the harbor is narrow. A
strong arm can almost throw a stone across
to MORO Castle from the fort of the Prado.
il they were going out on a sudden call TO
meet a foe they would have to proceed in
single file. No good anchorage exists out
side the harbor. and the big vessels cannot
be cruising around aimleSsly. Before the
cruisers and the battle ships start on their
voyage on the Atlantic seaboard the tor
pedo boats may be useful in making sure
that there Is an open passage out 10 sea.
though peaceful intervention by the United
States were not possible. If that 10 a mis-
taken guess and Spain finally yields to
mediation these naval matters are of little
account all that win remain will be a
passing impression of the picture presented
in Havana harbor when a naval combat
was thought to be probable.