The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-25

4. b G. = 4.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 24.--withln for
ty-eight hours, for the flrst time since
the insurrection broke out in Cuba,
three years ago. the United States gov
crEmcnt will be represented in the har-
Dor OF Havana by a warship. The de-
cIsIon to send the U. S. S. Maine was
finally reached at q special meeting at
the white house this morning between
the President, Secretary Long, Assist
ant Secretary Day, Attorney General
AfcKenna and General Miles, and It is
striking fact that with the exception
OF the secretary OF the navy and the
attorney general, not a member OF the
cabinet knew OF the Presidents inten-
ton TO take this radical action.
It Is not denied. however, that some
such move. has been long in contempla-
tion, as Is evidenced in the following
statement Of Assistant Secretary Day,
made. this afternoon: ..The sending OF
the Maine TO Havana means simply the
resumption OF friendly naval relations
with Spain. It is customary for naval
vessels Of friendly nations to pass In
and out Of the harbors OF other coun-
tries with which they are at peace, and
British and German warships have re-
Gently visited Havana. This is no new
move. The President has intended to
Go II for some time, but heretofore
something has happened to postpone 1t.
The orders 10 the Maine mean nothing
more than I have said. and there Is
nothing alarming or urtriendly in them.
The Spanish minister here Is fully in
formed OF what Is going on and SO far
as l know has not made the slightest
objection to it, :, "a.
Further, Assistant Secretary Day said
that Consul General Lee had not sent
for warshlp.
This statement shows that the move
was made deliberately and thatit could
rot have been taken II there were serl-
Gus apprehension; OF Its result In Haya-
ia. The general belief here, however,
Is that In Madrid rather than In any
Cuban town Is trouble 20 be looked for,
II there should be any Misrepresentation
OF the purpose OF our government in
sending the Maine TO Havana. The
temper OF the opposition newspapers In
The Spanish capital has been threatens
Ing for some time and 1t may require
the strong hand OF the news censor TO
renresa utterapces that would lead TO
r.otinS.
Admiral sIca-d's orders were not
made public In their text at the navy.
department., but Il was stated that the
substance OF them was contained In the
statement made by Secretary Long.
The orders were not sent directly TO the
Maine for the reason that she Is now
attached 10 the squadron, and the naval
regulations require all such orders TO 30
through the superior officer. There Is
some question whether the telegram
reached the admiral before he sailed
with his squadron from Key West for
T0rtrsas harbor. The belief Is that It
CID not, but this viii make little differ
cEce IL the programme irasmuch as the
telegram doubtless will be sent 10 the
admiral by one of the torpedo boats or
some other means OF conveyance. The
details OF the Names movements are
believed 10 be left for the arrangement
OF Admiral S!card, but It Is thought that
the ship. which put to sea with the
squadron. will return TO Key West be-
fore going TO Havana ~. G5.
The German ships to which Assistant
Secretary Day referred In his statement
are the Charlotte and the Geyer. both
training ships and not OF formidable
type. though one suf!iced 10 settle has
Diy the recent Hayt!en difficulty. Their
touching at Havann Is not believed to
DC significant, MS their cruise was ar
ranged In all details last September. and
the ships are due at Charleston, S. c.,
carly In February next. The COM
EleR5er OF the Maine, Captain Slgsbee,
Is favorIte In the navy department.
For four years he was chief Of the hy-
geographic office and by his energy
brought the office up to high stand
ard. He was lucky. 10 get SO important
ship as the Maine considering his
actual rank, which Is that OF com-
Taut.er. but Immediately he justified
the departments judgment In the selec-
tloa by running his ship straight into a
docl: IN New York harbor to avoid run
Ming down u packed excursion boat.
This was a display Of quick Judgment,
nerve and pluck that pleased the de-
partmeEt SO highly that the captain was
seat q complimentary letter.
HIS officers are also q good lot, inciud-
Ing Lieutenant Commander Richard
Wainwright. Lieutcnants G. r. Holman,
John Hood and CIV. Yungen. Lieuten-
arts (jun!oc grade) G.. W. Bow. ]. T.
nlard!r, i. VIZ. Jenkins. Cadets ]. II.
Holden. W. t. C!uveTips, Anon Bron-
son and D. F. BOYD, jr.. Surgeon L. G.
Hcneberger, Paymastar C. ". Little-
Held, Chief Engineer c. p. Howell,
passed Assistant Engineer +. c. Bowers.
Assistant Engineers J. r. Norris and
D. r. Merritt, Cadet Engineers Pope
Washington and Arthur Crenshnw,
ChapIa!n J. p Chadwick ard Lleuten-
ant Of Marines A. w Catiin