The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-25
THE MAINE SENT TO HAVANA.
At Last We Have War Ship in Cuban
Waters.

At Last We Have war ship In CUBAN
Waters.
Washington, January 24.--The United
States steamship Maine has been ordered
to Havana. 1t is said at the navy depart
ment that no disturbing news has been
received from there but that the move
merit is rather in the limo of a resumption
Of free intercourse of our naval vessels in
Cuban waters, the same as prevailedsprior
toitheir withdrawal on account OF the
outbreak of hostilities.
The first intimation the members of the
Senate committee on foreign relations
had of the Maine, was given in the Asso-
oiated Press bulletin. They received the
information with evident satisfaction.
Senator Frye said that the action was
eminently satisfactory to him.
Senator Gray said 1t WAS very proper to
have warship in Havana for the protec-
tion of American interests. Senator Nor
gan said that Germany had shown the
| United States the way.
Senator Foraker was partle!uiiarlly
| pleased to hear the news. He sa1ds he
wished the Texas and other vessels OF the
squadron would be ordered to follow the
| Maine.
Senator Cullom said: II am glad to
hear it. hope the Maine will be followed
| by other vessels.
Senator Teller said he would like to see
the harbor of Havana filled with Ameri-
can ships.
st Is evident that the decision to send
the Maine to Havana for visit was not
arrived at hastily. For some time past
the administration officials have been OF
the opinion that the mistake was COM
mittedssby the preceding administrator
in the very beginning OF the Cuban IN
surrection, in deciding out OF excessive
caution and an overweening regard for
the sensibilities of the Spanish publlc TO
abandon the practice which had been
pursued by our navy Departmental years
past of sending our warships at intervals
on cruises through the West indies that
frequently included stops at havana
It was not regarded as conslstent with
our national pride, that this practice,
common to ali maritime nations should
be abandoned or suspended and 1t was be-
lieyed that had 1t been consistently 9 d
hered to, there never would have been
complaint of the movement OF our ships
from Spanish sources. Besides al nations
have exercised the right to maintain at
least a small naval force at ports in
habited by a considerable number of their
oitizens where there were signs OF trouble
that threatened their safety or their
property.
ago, came to the confusion that 1t would
take stems to restore the old order of
things and allow our warships to cruise
freely and touch at Cuban ports, as soon
as the change could be made without
leading to misconstruction and without
being interpreted as q war measure when
as a matter of fact nothing was further
from the intentions OF the President.
The first movement In the direction OF
the old practice was made last fall before
the assembling of Congress when Secre-
tary Long announced through the Assooi-
ated Press his purpose to send the entire
North Atlantic squadron to the Tortugas
harbor for their winter evolutlons, which
for several years past or ever since the pc,
ginning Of the Cuban insurrection' had
been performed with difficulty and under
| all kinds of wind and weather OIL the
| Chesapeake capes. This movement being
received with equinamity the next step
| followed, when some of our little gun
| boats were sent to cruise in the west
Indies, the Wilmington and the Annapolis
being now in those waters. 1t only re-
| mained to send ono of our ships to
Havana to completely restore the old
| practice.
Naturally this was a more delicate step
than had been called for previously and 1t
was not until the admins tration had
satisfied itself that the conditions IN
normal state that existed before the recent
military 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 scaller at the state de-
partment today, his purpose being TO con-
fer with the officials relative to the nego-
titions OF reciprocity treaty for Cuba
under the terms of the present act. This
purpose in itself may be regarded as an
evidence of the confidence of both parties
In the security oflthe outlook.
After his visit Secretary Day reported
to the White House and there was a
notable gathering around the President,
| Including Secretary Long, Attorney
General McKenna and General Miles. the
commanding general of the army.
All callers were denied access to the
Presidents room, much to their chagrin,
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 mem bers
dispersed
Secretary Long was entrusted with the
duty OF making a public statement con-
cerning the Names orders, and the rea-
sons therefor.
Mr.. Long said: $50 far from there be-
ing any foundation for the ruInors yester
day of trouble at Havana, matters are
now such that tho ships can begin to re-
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