Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-01-28
ORDERED TO HAVANA
BATTLEsHiP MAINE SENT TO THE
.-. I'll. + CUBAN CAPITAL. 81
Is Nev or Key West. Fla, But Few
Hours Away From Her Destination.
Washington Officials Insist There's
Nothing Alarming in the Move.

Nothing Alarming in the Move.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Within "a
hours, for the first time since the insur.
rection broke out in Cuba three years
ago, the United. States government will
be represented in the harbor of Havana
by warship. The decision to send the
battleship Maine was finally reached at
a special meeting at the White House
during the morning between the presi-
dent, Secretary Long, Assistant Secre-
tary Day, Attorney General McKenna
and General Miles, and it is a striking
fact that with the exception Of the Sec
rotary of the navy and the attorney
general, not member of the cabinet
knew of the presidents intention to
take this radical action. 1t is not de-
MED, however, that some such move
has been long in contemplation, as is
evidenced in the following statement Ct
Assistant Secretary Day, made during
the afternoons:
Move Friendly One.
1.-THE sending of the Maine to Ha-
vana means simply the resumption Of
friendly naval relations with Spain. 1t
is customary for naval vessels of
friendly nations to pass in and out Of
the harbors of other countries with
which they are at peace, and British
and German warshlps 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 it. The or
ders to the Maine mean nothing more
than I have said and there is nothing
alarming or unfriendly i'll them. The
Spanish minister here is fully informed
of what is going on, and SO fan as
know has not made the slightest objec-
ton to it,
Further, Assistant Secretary Day
sent for warship
Trouble Looked for at Madrid.
was made deliberately, and that it
could not have been taken if there were
serious apprehension OF it's results in
Havana. The general belief here, how
ever. is that in Madrid, rather than in
any Cuban town, is trouble to be looked
for, if there should be any misappre-
hension of the purpose OF our govern
ment in sending the Maine to Havana.
The temper Of the opposition newspa-
pers in the Spanish capital has been
threatening for some time, and it may
require the strong hand of the news
censor to repress utterances that would
lead to rioting.
Admiral Sicard's 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 regula-
tons require all such orders to 20
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 belief is that it
did not, but this will make little differ
ence in the programme, inasmuch as
the telegram doubtless will be sent to
the admiral by one of the torpedo boats
or some other means of conveyance.
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 to Havana.