The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-06

wanna and Key West-lnterest in
Purchases of Cruisers by Spanish.
WASHINGTON. March 5.-There IS
promise of a new and unwelcome de-
velopment of the Maine affair that, in
the end. may lead up to an issue be-
tween the government OF the United
States and the state of Florida, if the
officials of the state indorse the stand
taken by the local officials at Key
West. The latter have notified Admiral
Sicard that, on the first of next month,
they propose to enforce the state quar-
antine law against all craft arriving
from Cuba, as a measure of preVen-
ton against the Introduction of yellow
fever.
The notice indicates that the law will
be applied to the naval vessels, and, in
view of the serious interruption Such
interference with the free movements
of his ships would cause, Admiral ST.
card has reported the facts to the navy
department and awaits instructions.
The department officials cannot toll
crate with equanimity the stoppage of
such craft as the MangroVe and the
Fern on their errandS of mercy, nor de-
lays that may result in the prosecution
of the work of the wreckers engaged
on the Names hull and in the work
of the court of inquiry. The president
lAlluStll IIpDdDlN Will
with the governor of Florida with
view to securing an abatement of the
law, so far as it is proposed to apply
it TO naval vessels, this being the
speediest manner of dealing with the
case, although it may be stated that
the national government has never
recognized the right of any local au-
thorities to stop its vessels in case
their movement We're deemed neces-
sary.
Rights of Warships.
The warships have voluntarily sub
mitted to quarantine when returning
from any port suspected of infection,
but this is asserted to be merely a
concession, and not the recognition of
any lawful right on the part of state
authorities. In view of the fact that
the officers on our Warships, with the
aid of capable surgeons on each ship,
make it their pride to keep their craft
in the most healthful condition, naval
officers feel that they may be safely
left to run their ships between Havana
and Key West without restriction.
As an evidence of the care exercised
to avoid carrying contagion, the Of
ficials point TO the fact that without
suggestion from any of the health au-
thorities of Florida, Admiral Sicard
caused the wounded survivors of the
Maine disaster to be Detained for sew
eral days at Tortugas before allowing
them 10 go to Key West.
1t is asserted positively at the state
department that there has been no
change in the plans for sending the
Montgomery and the Nashville to
Eastern Cuban ports with relief sup
plies for the recOncentradoes 1t has
been suggested that the offer of q mer-
chant steamer from New York to take
~
ieVe naval vessels from the perform
ance of this onerous task, but the
declination from the state department
ensures the execution of the original
programme, and the ships named will
sail for MatanZas and Sagua La
GraEde as soon as the goods arrive at
Key West from New York
Reports that have gone to the state
department from these places, show
terrible restitution exists, probably no.
where exceeded on the island and the
officers of the Montgomery saw for
themselves on their recent stop at
Matan2as the extent of the misery.
1t is said by some Of the correspond
ents of these officers that they all re-
turned Denniless from their Cuban
cruise, having been so moved by what
they saw that they gave away all of
their ready cash.
Olympia Remains.
1t was decided this afternoon to
abandon the projected order to the flag
ship Olympia to return to San Fran
cisco from Hong Kong. Without this
fine ship the Asatic Squadron would
be made UP of gunboats and unprotect-
ed cruisers, without any great degree
of defensive and no offensive force
against armored ships.
The cruiser Baltimore, now at Homo
lulu, has been selected to take the
powder to be brought to that port by
the Mohican further along to Hons
Kong for the vessels of the Asiatic
squadron. Whether or not the ship
Will be attached to the squadron per-
manently has not yet been determine
ed.
The torpedo boat Winslow, which has
been under repair at the Norfolk navy
yard. sailed today for Key West to
join the fiotilla.
The continued reports that Spain is
buying new warships led to counter
reports that the naval authorities here
We're considering similar purchases. In
no official quarter at the navy yard
could this be confirmed, as steps of this
character would be guarded with the
greatest secrecy.
There is little doubt, however. that
the department is informing itself full
~ as to the opportunities for pur-
chases. should the necessity formore
ships arise. Thus far there have been
no negotiations for ships, and no OPP
tons asked on particular ships.
Quite q number of offers of ships
have been submitted TO Secretary
Ions by ship building concerns in this
country and abroad. These have been
dooketed and filed, but bevond an
acknowledgment Of the offers no steps
toward purchase have been taken.
Under ordinary circumstances the
navy department would require au-
thority from congress to purchase war
ships. There is no law which permits
q larger exercise of authority in times
of emergency than at other times. 1t
is understood, however, that the naval
authorities feel that such emergency
measures as might be required would
have the subsequent approval of con-
gress.
Precedent Cited.
precedent is cited as to the pur-
chase Of a naval vessel in a time of
emergency without the consent of con-
CESS. While Secretary Chandler was
at the head of the navy department.
information reached here that the
Greedy Arctic expedition was in a per
ilous condition, and that relief was i'm