The age-herald., 1898-03-17
(By Associated Press)

Washington, March 16-The main devel- ppment in the Spanish situation today was In connection with the definite representa- lions submitted by the Spanish government to the state department concerning the assembling of a large fleet of American warships at Key West, the war prepara- tions and the influence which these might have on the approaching elections in Cuba. These representations were exactly in line with the semi-ofical utterance given in these dispatches last night and accredited to high official conversant with the views of the Spanish cabinet While these repre- sentations cannot properly be regarded as protest against the attitude and acts of the United States government, they may unquestionably be set down renon- strance calculated to have ant effect in Eu- ropean court circles. Not, however, being a technical protest, the statement has not called forth any official rejoinder on the part of the state department, for It is lack Ing in tangible accusations, being rather an argumentative presentation of alleged Spanish grievances.
 Fern Relieves Montgomery
 The Fern sailed for Havana from Key West this afternoon. She goes to relieve the Montgomery as a home for the officers engaged In supervising the wrecking op- brations in Havana harbor.
 It is stated unequivocally that the Mont gomery is not withdrawn owing to any suggestion from Spanish sources that her presence is not desired. It was the an- bounced 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 re- lief among the sufferers in eastern Cuba. This task having been performed, and yit to ha t1,rp of If in from Havana, there being fewer persons to accommodate, the Fern, which is better equipped than the Montgomery to assist in The wrecking work, is returned to her posi- ton.
 Up to the close of office hours the navy department, though it knew officially that the court of inquiry had come over to Key West from Havana, was not informed as to the findings or plans of the court.
 To Act As Scouts
 It is said that the object of the navy de- pertinent in purchasing such craft as the late Mr. Ogden Goelet's yacht Maynower )s to provide as quickly as possible num- Der of picket boats of good speed and sea- going ability to act as scouts and also to aid our ironclads and more expensive ves- Bels 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 May hower may be expected
 The fleet at Key West will be augmented within the next day or two by the arrival ,f the gunboat Annapolis, the torpedo boat Foote and the naval tugs Leyden and Sa- noset, while the gunboat Helena is now Sn her way from the European station un- Ter orders to report at Key West. The Helena reported her arrival today at.Fun- thal, on her way to join the fleet. These Ind the other vessels previously ordered 70 that point constitute the largest assem- plage of warships made since the demon- ltraton following the Virginius affair and considering effectiveness and armament. it js the strongest assemblage of ships for other than review purposes since the war
 Uncle sam's Good Showing
 Nhe fleet now at Key West and Tortugas Is as follows:
 Cruiser New York; battleship Massachu- Betts, batbleship Lndiana, babtleship Iowa. battleshtp Texas, cruiser Detroit, gunboat Nashville cruiser Marblehead dispatch boat Fern, torpedo boats Dupont, Cushing Porter, Winslow and Ericsson.
 ITO thetse will be soon added the five ves- 1els now en roapbe there. In addition to these the Montgomery is at Havana and Is practically a part of the feet the gum boats Wilmington and Castdne and cruiser EinodlnaIh are at Bhrbadoes, the Newport 1t Colon. wath, Ae Puritan, Newark, Ann