The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-17
SPANISH GRIEVANCES.
Don't Like War Preparations and
Fleet at Key West.
PRESENTATIONS TO THIS Eff
Feet MADE TO GOVERNMENT.

The Montgomery to Be Replaced by the
Fern at Key west-The Fleet Now AS
sembled Largest Got Together Since
War Except for Review Purposes.
Washington, March 16.-The main de-
velopment in the Spanish situation today
was in connection with the definite repre-
sentations submitted by the Spanish
government to the state department con-
cerning the assemblage of large feet of
American warships at Key West, the war
preparation and influence which these
might have on the approaching elections
in Cuba. Not, however, being technical
protest, the statement has not called for
any official rejoinder on the part OF the
state department, for 1t is lacking in
tangible accusations, being rather an ar
gumentative presentation of alleged
Spanish grievances.
The Fern sailed for Havana from Key
West this afternoon. She goes to relieve
the Montgomery as home Office engaged
in the supervision Of the wrecking work
In Havana.
1t is said that the Montgomery is not
withdrawn owing to any suggestion from
Spanish sources that her presence is not
desired. 1t was the announced intention
of Secretary Long when the cruiser was
sent to Havana to keep her there only SO
long as the Fern should be engaged in
the work of distributing relief among the
sufferers IN eastern Cuba.
Up to the close of office hours the navy
department., though it knew that the
court of inquiry had como over to Key
West from Havana, was not informed as
to the findings or plans of the court.
A large number of private yachts have
been offered to the departments and other
acquisitions of same type as the Mayf1ower
may be ordered.
The fleet at Key West will be augmented
within the next day or two by the arrival
of the gun boat Annapolis, the torpedo
boat Foote and the naval tugs Leyden
and Samoset. The gunboat Helena is now
on her way from the European station
under orders to report at Key West. The
Helena reported her arrival today at
Funchal, on her way to join the feet.
These and other vessels previously ordered
to that port constitute the largest as
semblage of war vessels since the demon
stration following the Virginius affair
and considering their effectiveness and
armament, it is the strongest assemlage
of ships for other than review purposes
since the war.
MAINE OFFICERS WANT TO LEAVE
Havana, March 16-The officers of the
Maine who remain here are disappointed
at not being ordered north, and believe
they will not be sent back to the United
States until it is certain the court of in
quiry into the loss OF the Maine win not
return to Havana.
With the arrival of the big derrick
Chief, and other machinery, the wrecking
work already shows signs of progress.
The naval divers are still Working about
the wreck.
Consul Gen. Lee, Captain Sigsbee and
the newspaper correspondents will be
photographed in group today on board
the United States cruiser Montgomery by
courtesy of Captain Converse, the COM
mander of that vessel who will also be in
the picture.
According to Spanish report column
of government troops under Col. Pa1anca,
was engaged on Friday and Saturday last
with the insurgent forces under Gen.
Maxine Gomez and Brigadier General
Jose Maria Gomez at the Majagua farm,
in the district of Sanoti Spiritus, province
of Santa Clara. The insurgents are said
to have lost considerable, while the
Spanish force is alleged to have had only
bnIeo men klllcu anu d captaiH, q AouueH-
ant and thirteen soldiers wounded.
AUXILIARY CRUISER BOARD.
ssNew York, March 16.-Lieut. Sargent
and Engineer Dixon of the board for the
inspection of auxiliary cruisers are in
Boston today, inspecting certain vessels
there that have been offered to the govern
,nent. Naval Instructor Toresey Is in
Philadelphia on similar mission. The
only members in New York are Captain
Rodgers and Commander Kelley. Both
continued the work of inspection today.
The board is finding that the work as
signed to 1t will occupy much more time
than was first thought.