Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-03-19
SPANS Mild PROTEST.
Against the Warlike Preparations
Of Our Government.
TWO NEW WARsHIPs PURCHASED


developments in the Spanish situation
yesterday was in connection with the
definite representation submitted by
the Spanish government to the state
department concerning the assembling
of a large fleet of American warships
at Key West, the war preparations and
the influence which these might have
on the approaching election in Cuba
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence of large fleet of United
States warships at Key West cannot be
regarded as a friendly measure, as the
sending of ships was officially repre-
scented to be when the Maine went to
Havana and the Vizcaya returned the
complimentary visit. In short, the
presence of this extensive fleet near
Cuba, together with the war measures
taken by the United States, are regard
ed by Spain as seriously prejudicial to
the policy of autonomy which Spain
and the United States have alike APP
proved and an indirect encouragement
to the insurgents in defeating the de-
sires of both governments for the sue
cess of that policy.
Finally, and in the same spirit of
friendly representation rather than of
protest, Spain has pointed out that a
war by the United States against
Spain under such circumstances would
be unjustifiable before the world, and
a crime against humanity and civiliza-
ton.
The representations contained no
reference whatever to the Maine dis
aster or to redress of indemnity there
for.
While these representations cannot
properly be regarded as protest
against the attitude and acts of the
United States government, they may
unquestionbly be set down as a re-
monstrance calculated to have an eff
feet in European court circles. Not,
however, being a technical protest, the
statement has not called forth any Of
fetal rejoinder on the part of the state
department for it is lacking in tangible
accusations, being rather an argument
alive presentation of alleged Spanish
grievances.
The fleet at Key West will be aug
mented within the next day or two
by the arrival of the gunboat Annapo-
lis, the torpedo boat Foote and the
naval tugs Leyden and Samoset, while
the gunboat Helena is now on her way
from the European station under or
ders to report at Key West. These and
the other vessels previously ordered to
that point constitute the largest as
Semblage of war vessels made since
the demonstration following the Vir-
ginius affair, and, considering effective
ness and armament, it is the strongest
assemblage of ships, for other than re-
view pIlrnOSaS since the yUar
The fleet now at Key West and Tor
tugas consists of four battleshfps, three
cruisers, one gunboat and five torpedo
boats. To these will soon be added the
five vessels now en- route there. In adj
dition to these the Montgomery is at
Havana, and is practically a part of
the fleet, the gunboats Wilmington and
Castine and cruiser Cincinnati are at
Barbados the Newport at Colon, with
the Puritan, Newark. Amphitrite and
other ships of the North Atlantic
squadron at points along the coast fur
Their northward.
In point of ships the fleet under Rear
Admiral Case on Jan. 8, 1874, following
the Virginius affair, was considerably
larger. Although formidable in it's
day, this aggregation was made up of
the old style wooden ships, monitors
which had gone through the civil war,
and every available craft that could
bear guns. Compared with the mod
ern battleships and cruisers of the new
navy it was insignificant in tonnage
and general effectiveness. 1t Is note
worthy, however, that this formidable
gathering of ships was at the same
point as the present gathering, and
during critical period with Spain, and
that 1t did not eventuate in war.
In all sections Of the country the
manufacture of ammunition and arms
is being rapidly pushed, and several
establishments are working day and
night. In addition to this a bill has
been introduced in congress, at the re-
quest of the administration, admitting
naval stores free of duty for a period.
At conference between the war de-
ment and railroad officials on Sunday
arrangements were perfected for the
speedy transfer of troops to points
along the southern coasts.
Negotiations closed Monday by the
triumphant purchase by the navy de-
partment, in London, of the two fine
cruisers built and building at Elswick
for the Brazilian government. Pos
sibly the officers took more pleasure in
closing up the business in this manner
because of the knowledge that the
Spanish agents have been striving to
secure these very ships, to whom it is
said they would be of much greater
value in case of trouble than to the
United States. The United States flag
will be hoisted over the new ships
within a week, probably, and just as
soon as the crew can be put aboard the
Amazonas she will start for the Uni
ted States. The other vessel will fol-
low at the earliest possible moment
The terms of sale are secret.
The two, Brazilian vessels will be ex-
tremely useful additions to the United
States navy in either war or peace in
the opinion of Secretary Long. They
are steel, sheathed and coppered, with
twin screws, and will be the first
cruisers in our navy to embody that
most important useful feature of naval
construction, sheathing, for which
Constructor Hichborn has worked
earnestly for many years past He
finally succeeded in having some of the
smaller gunboats constructed on this
principle. The Amazonas is rated at
$500 tons displacement, with an indi-
Gated horse power under natural
draught of $500, which is calculated to
develop 20 knots speed. Thus, whiA
the ship is about the size of the
Charleston, she is much faster Her
armament is also much more formid-
able.
The new cruiser Amazonas, accord
ing to present plans, will be manned
Entirely from the San Francisco. The
latter vessel sailed yesterday morning
from Libson, and will arrive in the Tyne
about Friday. 1t is expected that she
will divide her officers and crew with
the Amazonas, placing Lieutenant
Commander Arthur p. Nazro, execu-
tive officer of the San Francisco, in
charge of the latter vessel. Without
doubt the Amazonas will be gotten
across the ocean as soon as possible,
and it is expected that the San Fran
cisco will convoy her.
The construction of five modern dry
docks was on Tuesday agreed to by the
house committee on naval affairs. They
are to be located at Portsmouth, N. H,
Boston, League Island, near Philadel-
phia, Algiers, near New Orleans, and
Mare Island, near San Francisco. These
docks, all of which are to be entirely
new structures, are to be of wood ex-
cept those at Algiers and Portsmouth.
The indications now are that the
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