The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-06
FOOD BY THE CRUISERS
PLAN UNCHANGED FOR MONT
GOMERY AND NASHVILLE.
OFFER or A MERCHANT VESSEL REFUSED
Torpedo Boat WinsIow Sails TO Join fIota-'
Arrangements Suggested for Purchasing
War-Ships If Necessary--The Hong
Kong Fleet Looked After.


Washington, d. c., March 5.-There is
promise of a new and unwclcome deyelr
opment of the Maine affair that in the
end may Head up to an issue between
the government of the United States
and the State of Florida, if the officials
of the State endorse the stand taken by
1ha local officials at Key West. The lat
ter have notified Admiral Sicard that on
the first OF next month they propose TO
enforce the State quarantine law against
all craft arriving from Cuba, as a
measure of prevention against the intro
duction of yellow fever. The notice in
dicates that the law will will be applied
10 the Naval vessels, and in view of the
serious interruptions such interference
with the free movements of his ship
would cause. Admiral Sicard, has repOr-
ted the facts 10 the Navy Department
and awaits instructions. The depart
/anent officials cannot tolerate. with eqHa-
nimity the stoppage of such craft as the
Mangroye aud The Fern. ON their er-
rands of mercy, nor delays that may re-
suit in the prosecution in the work of
The wreckerS engaged on The Maine's
hull and in the work of the Court of
Inquiry The President himself probably
will communicate with the governor of
FLORIDA with a view to- securing an abate-
ment sOf the law so far as it is pro-
posed 10 apply it 10 Naval yesspIs; this
being fhe speesiiest manner of dealing
with the ease, although il may he stated
that the national government never has
recognized the right OF any local author
tiles to stop its vessels IN case their
mOyyments were sfeemeds necessary
The war ships have voluntarily submit
ted 10 quarantine when returning from
any port suspected Of infection, hut this
is asserted 10. be merely a. concession
and not the recognition of any lawful
right on the part OF Stare authorities. In
view of the fact that the officers on our
war ships, with the aid of capable sur
geoIs Oh each ship. make it their pride
10 keep their craft in the most healthfu
condition. Naval officers feel that they
may be safely left to run their ships be
tween Havana and Key West without
restriction. As an evidence of the care
exercised to avoid carrying c0ntagien
the officials point 10 the fact that with
o1it suggestions from any of the health
authorizes of Florida Admiral Sicard
caiised the wounded survivors of the
Maine disaster to be detained for several
days at Tortugas before allowing them
to. go TO Key West.
1t is asserted positively at the State
Department that there has been no
change IN the plans for the sending of
the. Montgomery and the Nashville TO
Eastern Crba ports with relief supplies
foF the reconcentradoes. 1t had been
suggested that the offer of a merchant
steamer from New York to take these
IL. a. In "A 4
vessels from the performance of this |
onerous task, but the declaration from |
the State Department ensures the execu-
tion OF the original program and the |
ships named will sail for Matanzas and
Sagna La Grande as soon S the goods
arrive ut Key West from New York. Re- |
ports that have come TO the State De-
partment from these places show that
terrible desiitutiOn exists, probably no. |
where exceeded on the island, and the |
officers Of the Montgomery saw for them |
selves ON their recent stop at Matanzas
the extent of the misery. 1t is said by |
some of the correspondents Of these |
officers that they all returned penniIess |
from their Cuban cruise, having been
so moved by what they saw that they
gave away all Of their ready cash
IT was decided this afternoon to aban
non bnP pfOJtctel OFutT 10 tHc HfSSHIp
Olympia To return TO San FRANCHISES
from Hong Kong. Without this fine
ship the Asiastic squadron would be
made up Of gun boats and unprotected
cruisers. without any great degree of
defensive and no offensive force against
afmored ships. The cruiser Baltimore,
now at Honolulu, has been selected 10
take the powder, 10 be brought TO that
port by The Mohican. further along TO
Hong Kong for the vessels OF the
Aslaajie squadron. Whether or not the
ship will be attached to the squadron
permanently has not yet been determ-
ined
The torpedo boat Winsl0w. which has
tseen nndcF repair vt the Norfolk Navy
yard, sailed to-day for Key West to Join
tho 0otilla
Tle continued reports that Spain is
btlying now ships led 10 counter reports
that the Naval authorities here were
considering similar purchases. In no
official quarter ~ the Navy Department
egls.d this be- confirmed, ~ steps of thja
character necessarily w0nd be guarded
with she greatest secrecy. There IL lit.
tie doubt however, that Inc department
Is informing itself fully as 10 the 0pp0r.
faBlties for purchases should tae neces.
e@fY for more ships arise. Thus far
fhene have been 40 negotiations for ships
and D0 options asked on particular ships.
9aate q number ~ offers 0f ships have
been submitted 10 Secretary Long bt