Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-01-29
THE MAINE At HAVANA.
The Big Battleship Greeted With
international Courtesies.
Visited By sPANIsH OrFIoIAIs.

Madrid Newspapers. However, Object
to the Presence OF Our warship, and
Talk OF Sending Spanish Fleet to
Visit American Ports.
Washington. Jan. 2s.-The battleship
Maine IL in Havana harbor. Tie tor
ped0 boat Dupont, which left Key West
at o'clock Monday evening with the
sailing orders, hailed the Maine at
Dry Tortugas. and delivered the orders
fer the battleship to proceed to Havana
at once. n telegram from Consul Gen
eral Lee said that the Maine had been
received with every courtesy. The
commanders OF the German and Span
ish ships OF war IN the harbor called
upon the commander of the kAaine. who
returned their calls, the Spanish forts
fired salutes and all the Ger monies
called for by naval etiquette were OBJ
served. In addition, the consul gen.
eral stated that everything was tran
gull In Havana He also denied a
statement published IN the United
States that there had been a misun-
derrtanding between him and DR..
Congosto. the secretary Of General
Blanco.
Shortly after the arrival Of the. Maine
at Havana Lieutenant Medrano. repre-
senting the captain OF the port, and
Vice Admiral Jose Pastor visited the
United States battleship and extended
the customary courtesies.
At 6 o'clock last evening Captain
| Sigsbee called upon Rear Admiral vi
4 cente Manterola at the admiralty Of
1 flee, and upon Vice Admiral Pastor.
| after which he had a prolonged con-
| ference with Consul General Lee. The
consul general returned Captain Siss-
bees visit this afternoon. The consul
general is arranging for visit by Cap
tain Sigsbee to Acting Captain General
| Parade.
The officers and sailors OF the Maine
viii not so ashore at present, in order
to avoid possible friction. and the
United States squadron will remain al
Dry Tortugas or in the vicinity.
! The arrival OF the warship caused
much surprise and excited considerabl,
curiosity. Last night all the wharve'
were crowded with people anxious Z
| get a glimpse OF the American warshil
by night. The Maine played her search
light on the arsenal and the fortifca
tions.
When It was first announced In thi
| city that the Maine had been ordere,
to Havana there was considerable eS
citement, but this was quickly aIIaye'
by the official statement that the msve
ment had not the slightest significance
further than TO emphasize our friendl
relation with Spain, II being customar
for war vessels to pass in and out o
the harbors Of friendly nations.
: MADRID PAPERS DISPLEASED.
Talk or Instructfng Spanish Warshfp
TO Visit American Ports.
Madrid, Jan. 2s.-The newspapers {
4; this city generally comment upon Sec
;. retary Longs explanation of the Wis
OF the United Ststes battleship Main
to Havana, and agree In expressin
= the opinion that her visit is "inoppol
tune and calculated to encourage tn
n insurgents" 1t is announced tha
following Washington's example" II
= Spanish government will 'instru'
= Spanish warships te visit few Amer
a can ports"
s The Epoca asks if the dispatch OF II
t Maine to Havana is intended as q sc
e to the jingos.' and adds: I'VE cann'
suppose the American government
netlNG OF DdUly At4AOAAHCu @~1 ~ mas "A
d that the presence OF American war We
sells at Havana viii be a cause Of sa
II isfaction to Spain or an indication
1t friendship"
s. The Impartial expresses fear tn
the dispatch of the United States ba
+ tleship Maine to Havana win provol
d conflict, and adds: Europe conn
g doubt Americas attitude towar
le Spain, but the Spanish people, If nece
Of sary, will do their duty with honor"
" Admiral Chacon, the admiral Of t
6eet, arrived here yesterday and had
se long conference with Admiral Barme.
e the minister of marine. The next ca
ii met council will decide which Amel
j. can ports the Spanish men-of-war a
to visit.
or In official circles the tendency is
h accept the argument that the Unit
t. States is friendly, and that 1t is nee
less to attach Importance to the wi
n of an American vessel to Havana