Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-17
REMONSTRANCE FROM SPAIN.
Our War Preparations and Their
E9cct ON Cuban Elections.


WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE main
development in the Spanish situation to-
day was i'm connection with the definite
representations submitted by the Spanish
Government TO the State Department
concerning the assembling of large fleet
Of American warshps at Key West. the
war preparations, and the influence which
these have had on the approaching cleo
uOns in Cuba. These representations
were exactly I'm line with the sem-oflcial
utterance given in these dispatches last
night, and accredited to a high official
conversant with the views of the Spanish
Cabinet While these representations
cannot properly be regarded as a pro-
test against the attitude and acts of the
United States Government, it may un-
questlonably be set down as a remon-
STRANGE calculated to have an effect in
European court circles. Not, however.
being a technical protest the statement
has not called forth any official rejoinder
ON the part Of the State Department for
30 is lacking in tangible accusations, be-
Ing rather an argumentative presentation
OF alleged Spanish grievances,
FERN TO RELIEVE MONTGOMERY.
The Fern sailed for Habana from Key
West this afternoon. She goes to relieve
the Montgomery as a home for the Off
operations in Habana harbor. 1t may be
stated unequivocally that the Mon<-
gumery is not withdrawn owing TO any
suggestion from Spanish sources that her
presence IS not desired. Ii was the an
uOuuced intention OF Secretary Long
when the cruiser was sent 10 Habana,
l0 keep her there only 50 long as the
Fern should be engaged in tho work
of distributing relief among the sufferers
.H D how
performed. and owing 10 the return of
the court Of inquiry from Habana, there |
being fewer persons to accommodate, the |
Fern, which is better equipped than the |
Montgomery 10 assist in the wrectins !
operations. is returned 10 her position.
Up 10 the close Of Office hours, the Navy !
Department though il knew ofhcially
that the court OF inquiry had come over |
20 Key West from Habana, was not in
formed as 70 the proceedings or plans OF
the court.
YACHTS FOR PICKET-BOATS.
The late Mr.. ogden Goelets yacht May
flower was purchased by the government
to-day. II rs said that the object OF the
Navy Department is 10 provide, as quick
Iy as possible. a number Of picket-ooats
OF good speed and seagoing ability, TO act
as scouts. and also 10 aid our lronclads
and more expensive vessels IN operations
against tOrpedO-boats.
A large number Of private yaehts nave
been offered TO the department, ana Other
acquisitions Of the same type as the May
flower may be expected.
The fleet at Key West will be augment
ed within the next day or two by the ar
Tiyal Of the gunboat Annapolis the TOR
pedO-bOat Foote, and the naval tugs
Leyden and Samoset. while 'he
gUnboat Helena Is now on her way from
The European station. under orders 10 re-
port at Key West The Helena reported
her arrival to-day at Funchal, on hei
way 10 join the fleet.
FORMIDABLE AGGREGATION
These and the other vessels previously
ordered 10 that point constitute me
argest assemblage OF war vessels uade
since the Virginius affair and, conslder-
ng effectiveness and armament, IL -
he strongest assemblage OF ships ION
other than review purposes since tle ,
war The feet now at Key west anu
iOrtugas Is as follows: Cruiser Ne" !.
FORK. battleship Massachusetts, battle T.
nip Indiana, battleship Iowa, battleshlp /.
Texas. cruiser Detroit gunboat Nashviile'
fuiser MarDlehead, dispatch-boat ferh'
orpedo-boats Dupont, Cushing. Porter,
NinslOw, and Ericsson. To these wiz :
con be ADDED the five vessels now en- u
cute there. In addition 10 these the u
i0ntgomery Is at Habana, and IL prac- .
'cally part OF the feet. the gunboats O
Wilmington and castine, and the cruiser J