The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-17
SPANS Mild PROTEST.
Against the Warlike Preparations
Of Our Government.
BUT STILL THE WORK GOES ON.


sence-Some Remaining at Key West
Believe the Disaster Wns External.
Washington, March 1.-THE main
developments In the Spanish situation
yesterday was in connection with the
definite representation submitted by
the Spanish government to the state
department concerning the assembling
of a large fleet of American warships
at Key West, the war preparations and
the influence which these might have
on the approaching election in Cuba.
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence of large fleet of United
States warships at Key West cannot be
regarded as a friendly measure, as the
sending of ships was officially repre-
sented to be when the Maine went to
Havana and the Vizcaya returned the
complimentary visit. In short. the
presence of this extensive fleet near
Cuba, together with the war measures
taken by the United States, are regard
ed by Spain as seriously prejudicial to
the policy of autonomy which Spain
and the United States have alike ap~
proved and an indirect encouragement
to the insurgents in defeating the de-
sires Of both governments for the sue
cess of that policy.
Finally, and in the same spirit of
friendly representation rather than Of
protest, Spain has pointed out that a
war by the United States against
Spain under such circumstances would
be unjustifable before the world, and
q crime against humanity and civiiza-
tion.
The representations contained no
reference whatever to the Maine dis
Rster or to redress of indemnity there
for.
While these representations cannot
properly be regarded as protest
against the attitude and acts of the
United States government, they may
unquestionbly be set down as a re-
monstrance calculated to have an Of
feet in European court circles. Not
however. being a technical protest, the
statement has not called forth any Of
Gcial rejoinder on the part of the state
department. for it is lacking in tangible
hccllsations, being rather an argument
alive presentation of alleged Spanish
grievances.
The Fern sailed for Havana from
Key West yesterday afternoon. She
goes to relieve the Montgomery as a
home for the officers engaged in super
vising the wrecking operations in Ha-
vana harbor. 1t Is stated unequivo-
raly that the Montgomery is not with
drawn owing to any suggestion from
Spanish sources that her presence is
not desired. 1t was the announced in
tention of Secretary Long when the
cruiser was sent to Havana to kecpI
her there only so long as the Fern
should be engaged in the work Of dis
tributing relief among the sufferers in
eastern Cuba. This task having been
performed, and owing to the return of
the court of inquiry from Havana,
there being fewer persons to accommo-
date, the Fern, which is better equip
ped than the Montgomery to assist in
The wrecklng operations. Is returned TO
her position.
1t is said that the object of the navy
department in purchasing such craft
IS the late Mr.. Ogden Goclct's yacht
Mayfower Is to provide as quickly as
possible u number of picket boats of
good speed and seagoing ability to act
rs scouts, and also to aid our iron |
elads and more expensive vessels in
operations against torpedo boats. A i
large number of private yachts have
been offered to the department, and
pther acquisitions Of the same type as
The Maynower may be expected.
The fleet at Key West will be aug
nented within the next day or two
by the arrival OF the gunboat Annapo-
lis. the torpedo boat Foote and the
naval tugs Leyden and Samoset, while
the gunboat Helena Is now on her, way
from the European station under or
ners TO report at Key West. These and
the other vessels previously ordered to
that point constitute the largest as
semblase Of war vessels made since
The demonstration following the Vr-
kinius affair, and, considering effective !
ness and armament, it is the strongest
Rssemblage of ships, for other than re-
view purposes, since the war
The fleet now at Key West and Tor
tugas consists of four batteships, three
cruisers, one gunboat and five torpedo
boats. To these will soon he added the
i've vessels now en- route there. In ad-
uitlon to these the Montgomery is at
Havana, and is practically part of
The feet, the sunboats Wilmington and
Castine and cruiser Cincinnati are at
Barbados, the Newport at Colon, with
The Puritan Newark, Amphitrite and
other ships Of the North Atlantic
squadron at points along the coast fur
ther northward.
In point Of ships the fleet under Rear
admiral Case on Jan. 8, 1874, following
The VrElnius affair, Was considerably
larger. Although formidable In its
Nay, this aggregation was made up Of
the old style wooden ships, monitors
which had gone through tho civil war,
and every available craft that could
bear guns. Compared with the mod
srn battleships and cruisers Of the new
navy It was insignificant in tonnage
and general effectiveness. It is note
Werthy. however that this formidable
gathering Of ships was at the same
point as the present gathering, and
during q critical period with Spain, and
1hat 1t did not eventuate In war.
! Secretary Alger has made re quIsitions
en the president for two large allot-
Rnts from the approDrla IA. - ssn