The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-25
VIII T BRING WAR!
Battleship Maine Sent to
Havana.
STEP NOT HOSTILE TOSPAIN
Resumption of Inter
course the Aim.
ORDERS SHOWN TO DEL9ME
ORDERS SHOWN TO De LONE
Nothing of a Bellicose
Nature in Them.

Washington, Jan. 24.-Within forty-eight
hours. for the first since the insurrection
brol.a out in Cuba, three years ago, the
United States government will be repre-
sented in the harbor of Havana by war
ehD.
The decision to send the United States
r.arsbin Maine was decided on at spe-
ciaI meeting at the White House this
morning attended by Secretary Long, As
sistaDt Secretary Day, Attorney General
7IcKenna and Gen. Miles, and II is strik-
ing fact that with the exception of the Sec
refary of the Navy and the Attorney Gen
eral NOT a member of the cabinet knew
Of the Presidents intention to take this
radical action.
Il is not denied, however, that such
masure has long been in contemplation,
as was evidenced in the statement of AS
sistant Secretary Day this afternoon.
He said: THE sending of the Maine TO
Havana means simply the resumption of
friendly relations with Spain. 1t is Gus
tomary for the naval vessels of friendly
nations TO pass in and out of harbors of
countries with which they are at peace,
and British and German warships have
recently visited Havana. This is no new
move. The President has intended to do
/. for some time. but heretofore some
thing has happened to stop it. The orders
10 the Maine mean nothing more than
have said; there is no cause for alarm in
them. The Spanish minister is fully in
formed of what is going on. and so far as
know, has not made the slightest OBJ
lection to it,"
The assistant secretary further said that
Consul General Lee did not send for a
warshlp
This statement shows that the move was
made deliberately, and has not been taken
because of the serious condition of affairs
In Havana.
The governments decision was not
sulls that might follow.
For some time past the American Off
Gals have been of the opinion that a mis-
take has been committed by the preceding
administration by giving latitude to the
Cuban instruction, in. deciding, out CT
excessive caution and an overweening re-
gard for the sensibilities of the Spanish
pubic to abandon the practice, which
mas been pursued by our navy department
4or Years past of sending our warships
at intervals on cruises through the West
-uules that frequently included stops at
havana. 1t was not regarded consistent
WIN our national pride that this practice,
common to all maritime nations, should
nave been abandoned, or suspended, and
!" Is believed that should it have been
consistently adhered to, there could never
1--we 1--we oeen any complaint as to the move
L's OF our ships from Spanish sources.
G i"e German ships, to which Assistant
e.'ry Day referred in his statement,
a. 'He charlotte and Geyer, both train
,h ,7 SHIPS, and not of formidable type,
.ousH one sufficed to settle hastily the
;e.'Nl Haytien difficulty. Their touch
e -s at Havana is not believed to be signi-
5""@ as their cruise was arranged in all
luis last September and the same ships
Tuary. ~ ~ e"iiS ~
ei lHe commander of the Maine, Capt.
'sSpee, IS favorite in the navy depart
~ lie was lucky to get 50 important
mp as the Maine, considering his actual
IN "hich IS that of a commander, but
s4t"e llately he justified the departments
s5i 5i-'1eht IN this selection by running his
b,P straight into a dock in New York
eyc,,, 10 avoid running down a packed
- SION boat This was a display of
ed 1,sIohed pluck and nerve that pleas
Gu government 80 highly that the
I5iy 1nl 1a was sent a complimentary letter.
T oHlGers are also a good lot.
& spanish minister, Senor Dupuy dc
nsr.. was an early caller at the state de-
~ "eut' MS purpose being to advise with
~ "Iilcials relative to the negotiations
tlr1 eeiprocity treaty for Cuba under the
has, vi the present tariff act. This pur-
do Wy Itself may be regarded as an evil
1, ~ Oh the confidence of both parties
' security Of the outlook
re,'l.i ms visit Assistant Secretary Day
v.r',-ea v.5 to the White House and there
ids,," notable gathering around the Pres
Nam, including Secretary Long of the
c., Attorney General McKenna and
t5o Niles, the commanding general of
10 m, NY All callers were denied access
eri Iesldents room, much 10 their cha
is ~ ms being the day of the week that
a. '"'St largely devoted to the reception
jos.,I sresslonal callers. The conference
brot lor nearly an hour, and when il
epj UP II was with evidence of serenity
No. e4lldence in the peaceful outlook
lne members dispersed.
d1,, tIary Long was entrusted with the
carst. vi making a public statement con-
for as me Maine's order and the reason
A., giving them.
den'.,sler De LONE called at the state
'lnent about 3 o'clock in pursuit spf