Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-01-26
THE BATTLESHIP MAINE.

for years past of sending our warshps at
intervals on cruises through the West
Indies, with frequent StO"s at Havana.
1t is not regarded as consistent with
our national pride that this action, COM
mon to all maritime nations, should have
been abandoned or suspended. and it was
believed that if it had been consistently
adhered to there never would have been
complaint OF the movements of our ships
from Spanish sources. British and all
nations have exercised the right to main
tain at least a small naval force in ports
inhabited by any considerable number
of their citizens when there were signs
of trouble that threatened their safety or
their property.
Therefore the administration some
time ago came to the conclusion that it
would take steps to restore the old order
Of things and allow our warships to cruise
freely and touch in Cuban ports, as soon
as the change could be made without
leading to mlscOnstructiOn and without
being interpreted as war measure,
when a matter Of fact nothing was
further from the intentions of the Pres
ident.
The first movement in the direction of
the old practice was made last fall be-
fore the assembling of Congress when
Secretary Long announced through the
Associated press his purpose to send the
entire North Atlantic squadron to the
Iortugas harbor for their winter evolu-
tions, which for several years past or
ever since the beginning of the Cuban in
surrection, had been performed with diff
fcuity and under all kinds of discourag-
ing conditions of wind and weather off
the Chesapeake capes.
This movement being received with
equanimity the next step followed, when
some of our little gunboats were sent to
cruise in the West Indies. the Whining
ton and the Annapolis being now in those
only 70
of our ships to Havana to completely re-
store the old practice.
The step a Delicate One.
Naturally this was more delicate step
than had been called for previously, and
it was not until the Administered ton had
satisfied itself that conditions in Havana
had quieted and resumed the normal state
that existed there before the recent mil
itary riot against the newspapers, that it
was deemed timely to make the last move.
This decision was not reached without
consideration of all the results that might
follow
The Spanish minister, Senior Dupuy de
LONE, was an early caller at the state de-
partment, his purpose being to advise
with the officials relative to the negotia-
ton of a reciprocity treaty for Cuba I'M
This purpose in itself may be regarded as
an evidence Of the confidence of both
parties in the security of the outlook.
After his visit Assistant Secretary Day
repaired to the white house and there
was a notable gathering about the Presi-
dent, including Secretary Long of the
navy, Acknowledgement McKenna and
Gen. Miles. All callers were denied to
the Presidents room, much to their cha
grin, this being the day of the week that
is most largely assigned to the reception
of congressional callers. The conference
lasted for nearly an hour, and when it
broke up it was with every evidence of
serenity and confidence in the peaceful
outlook that the members dispersed. Sec
rotary Long was entrusted with the duty
of making a public statement concerning
the Names orders and the reasons there
for.
Secretary Longs Explanation.
Secretary of the Navy Long was seen
this morning concerning the rumors that
were afioat yesterday in regard to the
movements of United States warships
and said $50 far from there being any
foundation for the rumors yesterday of
trouble at Havana, matters are now in
such condition that our vessels are going
to resume their friendly calls at Cuban
ports and go III and out just as the yes
sells of other nations do. The Maine will
go in a day or two on just such q visit.
The department has issued orders for