The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1898-02-02
SENDING THE MAINE TO HAVANA.
Spain's Objections Were Overcome by
Observation-Disclosures Wor-
rled Over Situation.
HISTORY OF THE INCIDENT.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-[Special. There
are some facts concerning the motive OF
the administration in sending the battle
ship Maine to Havana and the manner In
which the order was issued without giving
offense to Spain, which the public does not
yet understand. 1t Is a story which shows
that the president has about him mon who
are smart enough to cope with the best
diplomatists of the world. Credit for this
maneuver, which was a most skillful one,
belongs to the president himself, Secretary
of the Navy Long and Assistant Secretary
of State Day. 1t was Secretary Long who
brought matters to crisis and secured the
presidents approval of an order dispatch
ing the big battleship to the Cuban capital.
Correspondents and editors have puzzled
their brains and advanced all sorts Of
theories to account for the stationing OF
the ship at Havana. They have tried to
explain the act upon the ground Of some
Interior motive, perhaps something sensa-
tional. But 1t was very simple matter
after all. AS noted in these dispatches a
year ago, before the Inauguration of the
president, Mr.. Mckinley believed this gov
eminent should keep a warshi p constantly
at Havana. 1t was his intention to send
one there within two weeks after he took
the oath Of office as president of the Unit
ed States.
Consulted spain's Wishes.
On coming to Washington, however, he
found that Spain was exceedingly unwill-
ing to have an American naval vessel in
Havana harbor. The Spanish minister,
Dupuy de LONE, argued that II ship
were sent there the people Of Havana
would be very angry about IL and trouble
might ensue Some of the presidents adj
visers thought so, too, and the president
reluctantly abandoned his intention, tenn
porarily at least. Thus matters drifted
along all last year, until about three
weeks ago there were riots in the streets
Of Havana.
That was most anxious time for the
president and his cabinet ministers. When
they came together In cabinet council, this
question was asked:
"Suppose there is more rioting In Ha-
vana and Americans arc attacked and
killed or injured. We have no warship
there, no force to protect our citizens.
What will the people say OF usS viii they
not say we have neglected our dutyY Will
they not hold us directly responsible for
failure to protect our people and their
property"
The unanimous answer to this question
was that the responsibility was a greater
one than the administration cared to as
sumo. From that moment 1t was decided
to get a warship into Havana as soon as 1t
could be done without danger of leading
to riots.
Fortunately Consul General Lee had
weeks before warned the president that
trouble might be expected In Havana, and
as a precautionary measure the north
Atlantic squadron had been ordered to
cruise in southern waters. But there was
a great difference between having ships at
Key West and In having them at Havana,
where marines could be landed in case Of
trouble, and 1t was to Havana the admin
istration was decided a ship could go.
Worried Secretary Long.
No one felt the responsibility of this sit
uation more keenly than Secretary Long.
He could scarcely sleep of nights. ~ am
at tho head Of the navy department" he
said to some of his friends, land II any
thing happens to General Lee or other
Americans in Havana before we get war
ship there for their protection shall never
forgive myself, and probably shall never
be forgiven by the country"
So Mr.. Long, who Is good deal Of a
diplomat and may some day find himself
at the head Of the state department, set to
work TO exercise his wits to find way Of
getting the Maine over to Havana without
alarming either the Spaniards or the peo-
pie of our own country. A good opportu-
nifty soon presented itself. The Spanish
minister called at the state department to
propose that the United States enter into
negotiations for reciprocity treaty as TO
Cuban trade.
Everything Is perfectly quiet In Ha-
vanaf" asked Secretary Long, who hap
pened TO be present.
Perfectly, replied the minister. 1.-THE
Spanish government Is fully able TO pre-
serve order there. You need have no fear
ON that score"
"Then Of coure there can be no objec-
lions ON the part Of Spain 10 our sending a
naval vessel to that port, where everything
Is SO calm and peaceful, and where you ask
us to extend our trader"
De LONE Was Trapped.
Minister Dupuy de LONE was caught In
a trap, and he knew 1t In a moment. But
Il was too late to back out.
Secretary Long immediately went over
10 the White House TO soc the president.
This was at II o'clock. Assistant Secre-
tary Day was sent for. At IL 80 the OrdoE
which sent the Maine steaming TO Havana
was put on the telegraph wires before
noon. Next morning the seoretary OF the
navy learned that the Maine was In Ha'
vana, and all was quiet.
That night, for the first time In two
weeks, the president and his cabinet minis
ters slept without fear they might be reused
A., .a.,.,lu.. .vord that rlofino had lrOkeu
out In Havana and that Americans wers
IN danger, with the country asking; "why
are our warships a hundred miles away
What did w6 build these ships for unless II
was 20 protect American oitizensf"
This was precisely the Significance Of
the dispatch OF the Maine TO Havana. IL
itself the episode had no other meaning
| But We have not yet heard the last OF the
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