Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-24

Key West, Fla, March 10.-Without
much apparent reason, the war excite
ment here seems gradually dying nut |
The natives Of this little island are |
growing accustomed to the sight of |
moving armed aud Rrmorod ships, aud |
the cry OF riot in Havana has heen
relegated to the "wof' category.
Crowds who, week ago, were to be
found at the ramshackle wharf where
boats from Havana are moored may
now be seen at the Brisa, looking lazily
al the sea. "
An officer who is permanently located
here, in summing up the uses OF Key
West in Gass OF war, said; As far as
can see, Key West would DO almost
utterly useless TO the United States in
case OF war. 1t guards no inlet and no,
outlet. The recently received consign-
ments OF torpehoea and the two new
sand batteries will make fairly good
place from defensive point OF view,
nut unless it is protected by the fleet,
there is little to prevent such D snip
as tho Vizcaya Smelling Key West and
remaining out Of harms way. AS u
coaling station. Key West is practically
useless, because the harbor is rot deep
enough to permit of the entrance of any
OF our large ships "
Rear Admiral Sicard has constantly
said to this correspondent that he re-
grated his inability to get the large
ships into Key West harbOr, and, be-
aides coaling them at Tortugas with
far less trouble, he could have them at
his call within moments notice. With
natural caution, Admiral Sicard failed
to state, which IL tho fact, that the
government is making strenuous efforts
TO prepare Key West for emergencies
and employing every resource to fit this
island for the only strategic position il
could rightly fill, that of coaling
station Extensive dredging operations
are to be undertaken without delay.
x. Simmons and NJ. f. Cahill, presi
dent and superintendent, respectively
Of New York City dredging company
arrived here recently, to hasten th
completion of contracts, which thai
company has, to furnish sand for fortl
fications and deepen the harbor. Mr.
Cahill, to-day, said: I'VE should hav
begun work some time ago, had it no
been for delay in the shipment of i'm
portant machinery. Our contract
dredge the harbor calls for depth {
30 feet opposite the government dock
this depth to extend 500 feet. We o,
pect to commence work within fe
days, and should finish dredging with
10 days Our largest battleships vi
then be able to coal at the docks here.
SPANISH OFFICERS THREATEN TO REsIG
New York, March -. IA special di
patch from Havana, to day, alleges th
Captain General Blanco and Admir-
Manterola have notified the Madr
government that they will resign the
Offices If the Spanish torpedo feet is
be detained at the Canaries in obed
ence to the demand OF President NJ
Kinley, Captain Eulate of the cruis
Vizcaya is also alleged to have sent
message to the Spanish Admiral
similar in tenor TO those of the capital
general and Admiral Manterola.
FLEET DELAYED BY AN ACCIDENT.
Madrid, Spain, March %. - T
papers here publish full reports OF I
movements of the United States WI
ships and of the defensive preparatic
being made by the government of
United States
. 1t is reported that the Spanish W
ship selected to convoy the torpt
flotilla has sailed from Cartagena
the Canary Islands 1t appears ii
the delay in the voyags Of the torpe
boats is due to the fact that the rie
one of the Spanish torpedoboats. g
tained slight damage whilo on her '
from Cadiz to the Canaries.
The Spanish newspapers advoC
further strengthening OF tho ma