The herald., 1898-01-25

/ country that it intended to send wal
vessel to the waters of their nation.
} The statement of Minister De LONE
makes it apparent that the Spanish gov
ernment will not regard the dispatch Of
the Maine to Havana as a hostile ac'
and equivalent to a breach of the friend
ly relations between the two countries
Senior Quesada, secretary of the Cuban
junta, and Senior Albertini of the Cuban
staff in Washington, were about the cap
itol during the day comforting with
members concerning the Cuban status.
Mr.. Quesada said:
"The sending of the Maine to Cuba,
whatever be the official version, is, in
our opinion, proof that things are in
such condition in the few Spanish
strongholds that anarchy reigns and
that American citizens and property,
unable to find protection at the hands OF
the Spanish government, have now the
protection of their own vessels. 1t is
a declaration to the world that the
United States are not afraid of the Span
ish rabble which seems to control the
| Spanish officials The attitude of the
Spanish papers and officials has been
that the presence of an American war
ship in Havana means intervention;
undoubtedly they will now say it is the
most natural thing for any nation to
send it's vessels to the ports of a friendly
mower. and Mr. de LONE will declare that
his government is delighted. But we
shall soon hear from Gen. Weyler's sub
ordinates in Cuba and from Spain
that is. if the cannon of the Maine do not
bring to the Spanish minds the convic-
tion that prudence in this case is the
better part of valor."
Senior Albertini says the sending of the
Maine will justify itself with future
events. With his acquaintance with
Spanish methods he says there is great
er reason for apprehension than has yet
been shown, and he declares that as soon
as Spain finds that Cuba is lost a car
nival of slaughter will be inaugurated
with the guns of Moro Castle and the
Cabanas fortress trained on the city of
Havana.
THE ACTION APPROVED
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-The first
intimation of the members of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations con-
cerning the orders of the Maine were
given in the Associated Press dis
patches.
Senator Frye said the action was emf
nently satisfactory to him. Senator Gray
said it was very proper to have war
ship in Havana for the protection of
American interests.
Senator Morgan said Germany had
shown the United States the way by
sending her warships to Havana and
he was evidently badgering the govern
J ment in the matter.
! Senator Foraker was especially
pleased to hear the news. He said he
wished the Texas and the other ves-
to follow the Maine.
| Senator Collum said: "I am glad to
hear it. I hope the Maine will be fol-
lowed by other vessels"
Senator Teller said he would like to
see the harbor of Havana filled with
American ships.
NOT A DRESS PARADE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Never be-
fore has the majesty of the United
States been represented by so large and
powerful fleet of warships as that now
gathered off the extreme southern coast
of Florida, within direct striking dis
tance of the island of Cuba. Whether
the ships are called into action or not, an
examination of the squadron now en-
gagged ostensibly in drill, but really in
watching the progress of events across
the narrow channel which separates the
Dry Tortugas from Havana shows that
it was not collected for dress parade pur-
poses.
For a year the Navy Department has
| been preparing for this very emergency,
and the result is fleet such as has never
| been seen before, ready for service, in
American waters.
| The Atlantic fleet, now under orders
of Admiral Sicard, with headquarters at
Tortugas and telegraph address at
Key West is made up of the battleships
Indiana, Iowa and Massachusetts, the
second-c class battleships Maine and
Texas, the Monitor Terror, the armored
cruisers New York and Brooklyn, the
cruisers Detroit and Montgomery, and
the torpedo boats Cushing, Dupont, Err
lesson, Foley and Porter, with the dyna-
mite cruiser Vesuvius, and the little dis
patch boat Fern.
There is not back number in the fleet.
With the exception of the Gushing tor
pedo boat which was put into service
commission for five years. They are the
flower of the new navy and the sixteen
fighting machines are manned by 337 Of
ficers, 1884 men, besides the marines. The
batteries of the heavy ships are simply
tremendous. When in action the fleet
will be throwing shells from seventy
eight rifled guns, with an addition Of
fifty rapid-fire rifles All this is for long
range business, and is in addition to the
secondary batteries of low-calibered
guns. The torpedo fleet is now armed
with fifteen eighteen-inch Whitehead
torpedoes and the ships themselves are
fitted up with tubes for sending out
twenty three torpedoes, total effective
battery of twenty three marine engines,
besides the Vesuvius, mounting three
dynamite guns.
SPAIN CONSENTS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Ministel
Woodford has cabled to the department
of state that the government of Spair
has consented to negotiate commercial
treaty with the United States on the
basis of reciprocity, with schedules foi
Cuba and the peninsula.
The negotiations will be conducted ir
Washington at time yet to be agreed
upon.
BLANCO'S MOVEMENTS