The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-24
STARTLING.
The BattIeship Maine Ordered
to the HarbOr of Havana.
This May Bring Cuban Matters
to Crisis
IT HAD BEEN PLANNED
This Movement of American
Battleships Not Unexpected.
Senators Applaud the Action
Taken in the Matter.

washington. Jan. 24.-The United
States steamship Maine has been or
dered to Havana It is said at the navy
department that no disturbing news
has been received from there but that
the movement is rather in the line of
a resumption of free intercourse Of our
naval vessels in Cuban waters, the
same as prevailed prior to their with
arawal on account of the outbreak of
hostilities
The first intimation the members of
the senate committee on foreign rela-
lions had Of the orders to the Maine
was given in the Associated Press
bulletin. They received the informa-
ton with evident satisfaction Senator
Frye said the situation was eminently
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 seSdng her Warshlps
to Havana and was evidently badgering
this government in the matter.
Senator Foraker was particularly
pleased to hear the news. He said he
wished the Texas and the other vessels
of the squadron would be ordered to
follow the Maine.
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
It was evident that the decision to
send the Maine to Havana for visit
was not arrived at hastily from the events
that preceded the announcement FOR
some time past the administration Of
dcials have been of the opinion that
mistake was made by the preceding
administration in the very beginning Of
the Cuban situation in deciding out of
excessive caution and an Over-Weening
regard for the sensabilities Of the
Spanish public to abandon the practice
which has been pursued by our navy in
the past years Of sending out war ships
at intervals at cruises through the
West Indies with frequent stops at Ha-
Vana.
It is not regarded as consistent with
our national pride that this action com
mon top all maritime nations should
have been abandoned or suspended and
il was believed that if it had been con-
sistently adhered to there never would
have been complaint of the movements
Of our ships from Spanish sources.
British and all nations have eXer-
cised the right to maintain at least a
small naval force at ports inhabited by
any considerable number of their citi-
zenS when there were any signs of
trouble that threatened themselves or
their property. Therefore the admin
istratiOn some time ago came to the
conclusion that it would take steps to
restore the old order of things and al
low our war ships to cruise freely and
touch Cuban ports as soon as the
change could be made without leading
to misconstructiOn and without being
interpreted as a war measure, when
as q matter of fact nothing was further
from the intentions of the president
The first movement in the direction of
the old practice was made last fall be
fore the assembling of congress when
Secretary Long announced through the
Associated Press his purpose to send
the entire North Atlantic squadron to
the TOrtugas harbOr for their winter
evOlutiOns which for several years past,
or ever since the beginning OF the Gu
ban Instruction had been there formed
with difficulty and under all kinds Of
discOuraging conditions of wind and
weather of the Chesapeake capes.