The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-17
NO TECHNICAL PROTEST
1HE FERN is SENT TO REPLACE
THE MONTGOMERY.
ADMINISTRATIONS APOLOGY FOR SAME
The Fleet Now at Key West--An Ambulance
Ship Contract for Shot and Scell--A
Cuban Officer Wants to
Invest Havana.
Invest Havana.

Invest Havana,
Washington, d. c., March 16.-The
main development in the Spanish situa-
ton today was in connection with the
definite representation submitted by
the Spanish government to the State
Department concerning the assembling
of IL large fleet of American war ships
at Key West, the war preparations,
and the influence which these have
had on the approaching elections in Gu
ha. These representations were eX-
actly in line with the scmi-Official utter
ance given in these dispatches last
night, and accredited to a high official
cOnvcrSaut with the views Of the Span
ish Cabinet While these representa-
tiOns cannot properly be regarded as a
protest against the attitude and acts
of the United States government, it may
unquestionably be set down as n remOn-
strance calculated to have an effect in
European court circles. Not, however,
being technical protest, the statement
has not called forth any official rcjOind-
for it is lacking in tangible accusations,
being rather an argumentative presenta-
ton of alleged Spanish grievances.
The Fern sailed for Havana from Key
West this afternoon. She goes to re-
Hcve the Montgomery as a home for the
officers engaged in supervising the
wFecking operations in Havana harbOr.
1t may be stated unequivOcaly that
the Montgomery is not withdrawn ow-
ing to any suggestion from Spanish
sources that her presence is not de-
sired. 1t was the announced intention of
Secretary Long when the cruiser was
sent to Havana TO keep her there only
SO long as the Fern should be engaged in
the work OF distributing relief among
the sufferers in eastern Cuba. This
task having been performed and. owing
to the return of the Court of Inquiry
from Havana, there being fewer persons
to accommodate the Fern. which is bet
ter equipped than the Montgomery TO as
sist in the wrecking operations is re-
turned to her position.
Up to the close of office hours the
Navy Department, though it knew Off
cially that the Court of Inquiry had
come over to Key West. from Havana,
was not informed a,s to the findings OF
plans of the court.
The late Mr.. Ogdcn-Goclet's yacht
Mayhower was purchased by the govern
ment today. 1t is said that the object
of the Navy Department is to provide as
quickly as possible Il number of picket
boats of good speed and seagoing ability
to act as scouts, and also to aid our iron
clads and more expensive vessels in
operations against torpedo boats. A
large number of private yachts have
been offered TO the department and other
acquisitions of the same type as the
Mayhower may be expected.
The feet at Key West will be augu-
mentcd within the next day or two by
the arrival of the gunboat Annapolis
the torpedo boat F0ote and the Naval
tugs Leyden and Samoset, while the
gunbOat Helena is now on her way from
the European station under orders to re-
port at Key West. The Helena re-
ported her arrival today at Eunchal, on
her way to join the fleet. These and
the other vessels previously ordered to
that point constitute the largest assem-
bage of war vessels made since the
demonstration following the Virginius
affair, and considering effectiveness and
armament it is the strongest aSsemblage
of ships, for other than review purposes.
since the war. The feet now at Key
West and TOrtugas is as follows:
Cruiser New York, battle ship Massa-
chusetts, battle ship Indiana, battle ship
Iowa, battle ship Texas. cruiser Detroit,
gun boat Nashville, Cruiser Marble
head, dispatch boat Fern, torpedo boats
Dupont, Gushing, Porter Winslow and
Ericsson. TO these will be added the
five vessels now Ell route there In ad-
dition to these the Montgomery is at
Havana and is practically part of the
feet, the gun boats Wilmington and
Castine and cruiser Cincinnati are at
Barbados, the Newport at Colon, with
the Puritan. Newark, Amphitrite and
other ships of the North Atlantic squad
ron at points along the coast further
nOrthwap.
In point of ships the feet under Rear
Admiral Case on January 3, 1874, fol-
lowing the Nirginius affair, was con-
,siderably larger. Although formidable
in its day, this aggregation was made
ND of the old style wooden ships, moni-
tors which had gone through the civil
war. and every available craft that
conld bear guns. Compared with the
modern battle ships and cruisers of the
now Navy it was insignificant in tom
mage and general effectiveness. 1t is
Noteworthy, however, that this formida-
ble gathering of ships was at the same
noint as the presdnt gathering, and
during critical period with Spain, and
thot Il did not cventnate in war.
Secretary Alscr has made reqnisltions
nm the President for two large allot,