The record-union., 1898-01-25


1t is a Declaration TO the
Wcrld That the United States
IS Rot Afraid OF the Spanish
RabbIe.
WASHINGTON Jan. 24-Within
y-eight hours, for the first time
since the inSurection broke out in
Cuba, three years ago, the United
States Government Will be represented
in the harobr of Havana by a warship.
The decision TO send the United States
battleship Maine was finally reached
at a special meeting at the White House
this morning between the President,
Secretary Long, Assistant Secretary
Day, Attorney General McKenna and
General Miles, and it is a striking fact
that with the exception OF the Secre-
tary Of the Navy and the Attorney
General. not member of the Cabinet
knew Of the Presidents intention.
1t is denied, however, that such a.
move has long been in contemplation,
as evidenced in the following statement
Of Assistant Secretary Day made this
afternoon:
The sending of the Maine to Ha-
vana means simply the resumption q
friendly naval relations with Spain. 1t
is customary for naval vessels of friend
ly nations to pass in and out of the mar
bors of other countries with which they
are at peace. and British and German
warships have recently visited Havana.
This is no new move. The President
has intended to do it for some time, but
heretofore something has happened to
postpone il. The orders to- the Maine
mean nothing more than l have said,
and there is nothing alarming or un-
friendly in them The Spanish Minis
ter here is fully informed Of what is
going on, and so far as l know has not
made the slightest objection to it.
Further, Assistant Secretary Day said
that Consul General Lee had not sent
For a warship. This statement shows
that the move was made deliberately,
and that it could not have been taken
if there were serious apprehension of its
results in Madrid. The general belief
here, however, is that in Madrid rather
than in any Cuban town is trouble 10
be looked for. if there should be any
.misapprehension of the purpose Of our
Government in sending the Maine to
Havana. The temper of the opposi-
ton newspapers in the Spanish Capital
has been threatening for some time.
ard it may require the strong hand Of
the news censor to repress utter3nce
thai would lead to rioting.
Admiral Sicards orders were not
made public in their text at the Navy
Department. but it 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 to the squadron, and the
naval regulations require all such or
ders to go through the superior officer.
There is some question whether the
telegram reached the Admiral before
he sailed With his squadron from Key
West for Tortugas Harbor. The be-
lief is that it did not, but this will make
little difference in the programme, in
asmuch as the telegram will be sent
to the Admiral by one of the torpedo
boats. or by some other means of con-
veyance.
The details of the Names movements
are believed to be left for the arrange
ment Of Admiral Sicard. but it IS
thought that the ship, which put to
sea with the squadron, Will return to
Key West before going 70 Havana.
The German ships TO which Assistant
Secretary Day referred in his state
ment are the Charlotte and the Geyer,
both training ships, and not OF for
midable type, though one suiiiced TO
settle hastily the recent Haytien diftl-
Guilty. Their touching at Havana Is
not believed to be significant, as their
cruise was arranged in all details last
September, and the same ships are due
at Charleston, :. c., early in February
next.
The commander of the Maine, Cap
tain Siesbee, is a favorite in the Navy
Department For four years he was
chief Of the photographic office. and by
his energy brought the office to hign
standard. He was lucky to get so i'm
portaat a ship Us the Maine consider
ing his actual work. which IS that OF
a commander. but Immediately he JUS
tilted the departments judgment in the
selection 10y running his ship straight
into 4 dock in New York harboT m
order To avoid running down packed
excursion boat This was display u
quick Judgment. nerve and pluck that
pleased the department so highly that
the Captain was sent complimentary
letter. His officers are also good loT.
incluaing Lieutenant Commander Rica-
ard Wainwright. Lieuterants - +. H0l-
man. John Hood and c. w. YunGen,
Iiauterants tjunlor e1a6e) G. ". Blow.
J. T. Rlandin + ". jenkins, Cadets
] II Holden. ". T Ciuverius. Anon
Bronson and -. r. Boyd, Jr.. Surgeon
l.. -; Heneberger PSymaster C. w.
yittIeGeid CHIEF Enrineer c. ? Howell,
Passed Assistant Engineer f. {. Bow
ers. Assistant Engineers J. +. S1orris
AID y L Merritt Cadet Engineers
pope Washington and Arthur c. G.
Renshav. Chaplain ]. p Chidwich and
Lieutenant OF Marines A. " Catiin.
II : said in the Navy Department
that no disturbing news has been 30
oeived. but this movement Is rather in
the. line of a resumption of the frse
intercourse of our naval vessels IN Gu
ban waters which prevailed prior To
their Withdrawal on account OF the
outbreak Of hosiil.ties. 1; MAS evident
that the decision To send the Maine
to Havana fer a visit was not arrived
at hastily from the events that pre-
ceded the announcement. For some
time past the Administration officials
have been of tAe opinion that mis-
take was made by the preceding Ad-
ministration concerning the Cuban sill
uat.on. in deciding. oui az excessive
caution and an oNerweeuing regard foc
the sersib.ltIes Of the Spanish public,
20 abandon the practice which had been
pursued by cur Navy Department co.,
year of sending our warships al inter-