The herald., 1898-04-13


the same time. but nothing happened to
them. 1t ought to be said to President Nc
Kinley that when he next sends battle
ship he should put it under the care of
Spanish authorities
Other local papers publish extracts from
the message.
Ell Diario de la Marina, in its editorial,
says: 1.-THE message was a great disap-
pointment to the jingoes and separatists,
who expected that Uncle Sam would de-
clare war. President Mckinley sustains
Gen. Grants opinion, that Cuba is not yet
prepared to take the status of an independ-
ent nation, and, therefore, If the United
States interfered it would do SO with the
intention of annexing the island. Cubans
must elect between the American yoke
and autonomy. If they choose the latter,
they must try to finish the war as soon as
possible, in order to have the right to
modification of the existing autonomous
regime"
Ell Diario de la Marina says it Is reported
that Consul General Lee will return to Ha-
vana Wednesday, but it says it does not
believe the report.
The same paper also asserts that Mr..
Colon the British consul, who is In charge
Of the American consulate, devoted yester-
day to quieting American citizens who
wanted to leave the island, ''still being
under the alarming influence of the state
ments made by Lee"
Waiting for Orders
SAN FRANCISCO. April 12.-Lieutenant
commander James w. Carlin of the coast
defense vessel Monterey received dis
patch from Washington today asking If
the Monterey is ready to sail for Port An
geles, Wash, in twenty-four hours. Lieut.!
Carlin replied that he could sail at once
He expects defiuite instructions tomorrow
War Insurance
NEW YORK, April 12.-Marine war risks
were written today at rates unchanged
from yesterday.
Mail Service Stopped
NEW YORK, April 12.-With the depart
ure of the steamer City Of Washington for
Havana tomorrow the postal service from
the United States to Cuba will close for
the present.
The Spanish Navy
NEW YORK, April 1s-Advices received
by the navy department Indicate that
Spain is organizing as rapidly as possible
posed be opposed to the two fleets which
this country has assembled at Key West
and Hampton Roads, says Washington
correspondent of the Times. One OF ner
fleets is forming at Puerto Grande. ST.
Vincent, Cape de Verde islands, and the
other is forming at Cadiz. Spain.
Naval experts think that the fleet at
Cad!z is intended for the defense of the
Spanish coast from any attack by the fly
ing squadron, while the fleet that is assem-
bling at the Cape de Verde islands is IN
tended for retal1atory attacks upon our
coast. 1t is remarked that the latter feet
is composed Of very fast vessels, torpedo
boats, torpedo boat destroyers and sreift
cruisers. Even the supply vessels of this
force are rapid and could keep up with the
movements Of the rest of the fleet.
1t is just the kind of squadron that
would be formed for the purpose Of attack
ing the coast and in the meanwhile dodging
an enemy's fleet
1t is probable that 1t could keep out Of
the way of the majority of Capt. Samp-
sons vessels, and 1t would not be safe for
one or two American ships to leave the
squadron too far and subject themselves
to a sudden attack by a swarm of torpedo
boats. If the American squadron keeps
together, therefore. it seems probable that
the Spanish fleet, which is faster as a
whole, could evade 1t on the high seas and
choose its own way Of fighting. The plan
presupposes that the Spanish fleet, now
rendezvoused in the Cape Verde islands,
will move to the defense of Havana or seek
to draw off the American ships by a foray
on our coast. 1t is evident that Spain ex-
poets an attack on Havana, and it was for
this reason that she withdrew the Vizcaya
and Almirante Oquendo from that harbor.
1t is true that she has not-at least. ac-
cording to the latest advices of the navy
department-moved this torpedo and cruis-
er fleet farther in this direction; but this
Is thought to be due to the fact that she Is
afraid to start it this was on its long jour-
ney across the ocean lest war be declared
and the fleet be taken at great disadvant.
age by the flying squadron, which would
be advised of the outbreak Of war instant
ly and could move across its path. OF
course, If the Spaniards sailed from Porto
Grande they would come under sealed or
ders or on orders to look out for hostile
American ships, but this would not pre-
pare them for sudden attack by the fly
ing squadron. which could pick its time
and place for fighting.
If Havana is invested and the Spanish
fleet moves to its assistance, part of Capt
SIMPSONS fleet would have to meet it, un-
less the flying squadron be kept in these
water. The Cape Verde fleet is not
strong enough, however, to make such pre-
caution necessary, and it is considered that
the Key West squadron will be sufficient
for the work of capturing Havana and of
holding the torpedo fiotilla at bay, or of
dispensing and destroying it, and allow the
flying squadron to carry out the plan al
ready worked out, of making dash at the
Canaries and in cutting in two Spains
weak line of defense.