Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-14
BIG NAVAL DISPLAY
Spain's Warships Present an Impress
sive Picture to the Cubans.
MONTGOMERY is OVERSHADOWED
Sharp Lookout Maintained to
Guard Against Another Disaster.
DESTINATION OF THE FLEET
Copyright, 1893, by Charles NJ. Pepper.)

Special From a Stan Correspondent.
HAVANA, March r. via Port Tampa,
Fla, March 13.-Havana harbor these days
is full of life and color. The Almirante
Oquendo and the Vizcaya, with their black
hulls, make a fine showing. To my mex
perienced eye, they seem a little too broad
and squatty, and therefore likely to offer a
good mark for an enemy's guns. l have
heard some naval officers say that in the
deplorable event Of war, it might not be
difficult to drop shells into the boilers Of
these sister warships. That may be a mat
ter for future demonstration Externally,
they look formidable enough, and the Ha-
vana people who admire them are not to be
blamed if they show feeling of pride over
Spains naval power.
The graceful lines of the Montgomery
compare favorably with the harsher ap-
pearance of the Oquendo and the Vizcaya.
Her anchorage is quite close to the Vizca-
va. 1t has been observed that an explosive
which had power enough to destroy one
vessel would probably leave nothing but
wreckage Of the other. The Montgomery is
painted white. The Fizcaya forms a dark
background, which brings in relief the
American cruiser. The officers of the Mont
gomery are proud of their ship. They tell
of her "going" quality and speculate on her
probable record in case of naval combat.
The praise which the vessel receives be-
cause of her looks is not unweccme to
them. Yet one evening in the mess room,
when an officer Of the Montgomery gave his
opinion that what was needed in this har-
hor now was something as big, as ugly and
forbidding as the Puritan, there was no dis
sent from this sentiment.
An object Lesson Needed
The object lesson which gives something
Ike correct idea of American naval
strength is still necessity.
small craft which has been moved
about the harbor several times before find
Ing an anchorage excites 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
a 6-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 undergoing repairs, and lately had
been engaged in coast patrol duty to pre-
vent filibustering. 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 a torpedo chaser, the first
of the torpedo fiotila which is to be sent
out by Spain.
L also heard 1t described as a small ram.
The designation Is not important The
chief thing is that its presence adds to
the activity in the harbor, which seems
10 promise greater activity in the near
future.
ship Donau is also to be noted The Span-
ish officials will not be satisfied with the
showing of their country's prowess until
the Pelayo and others of that type are
tere They have moved the Alfonso XII
pretty well down the bay. That vessel
had been in the harbor so long that it had
ceased TO be symbol which anneaIed
to the imagination. Moreover, the popu-
lace had come to know the crippled con-
dition of the Alfonso and to Understand
that she could not hobble out to sea with
out tug for crutch. The boilers have
been repaired finally, and the Alfonso
might now get out under her own steam.
Preparing for Active Duty.
Around the bend in the navy yard the
ships which have been lying there for
months show signs of preparation for
strength. 1t is upon the vessels which
have come from Spain and which are to
come that the minds of the officials are
fxeo. With these they expect not mere.
ly to defend the ports of Cuba, but to
attack the pcrts on the Atlantic seaboard.
Before long they look for Spanish COL
ors 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 Maine While
everybody is waitirg the waters of Havana
are carefully policed and picketed.
The officers and crew of the Montgomery
may have been a trifle nervous the first
night. Perhaps they lost some sleep. 1t
Will never be said that the discipline is
lax or that either accident or design could
cause harm to the Montgomery, through
lack OF watchfulness. The Spanish ships
are guarded with equal care They can
not De approached closely enough for eth
er torpedo or a floating electric mine to
be exploded where it would do harm.
hypothetical fear is entertained that some
fanatical Cuban might attempt somethina,
OF this sort. The narrow entrance to the
harbor Is also guarded, so that no hostile
torpedo boat could run in under cover of
the darkness. The exchange of official
courtesies goes on with more or less SEM
biance OF cordiality. but tension is not
relieved.
Feeling Against Americana.
The loyalists say that powder wasted in
firing salutes had better be used in firing
shells. Formerly they would have said II
could be put to better advantage by using 1t
against the insurgents. Their temper Is
changed, and the insurgents are forgotten In
their resentment against the Yankees. The
sight CT the warships helps the popular sub
scription for the rehabilitation of the Span
ish navy. 1t had been tagging The contribu-
tions from this source might amount to
enough to keep the. ships painted. AS q
practical measure 1t could be worth no
more. But In fostering the spirit of Span
ish patriotism the effect is important.
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
ships are said to be only three or -four
months late in receiving their dues. They
haven't worn out their clothes as the sol.
Giers have.
The oquendo and the vizcaya haven'i