The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-22
WAR SPIRIT SUBSIDIES
Key West is Getting Used to
Martial Alarms
ESTIMATE OF ITS VALUE
Neither it Nor Iortugas
Worth Much in War Times.

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.)
Key West, March l5.-Without much ap-
parent reason the war excitement here
seems gradually dying out. The natives
OF the little island are growing accus-
toned to the sight OF moving armed and
armored ships, and the cry of riot in
Havana has been relegated to the wolf
category Crowds that a week ago were
TO be found at the ramshackle wharf.
where boats from Havana are moored.
now may be seen at the Brisa, looking
IazlIy at the sea-" or sitting idly where
welcome breezes stir the palm trees.
Even the CUbans as they sip their aguar-
diente in the evenings, exhibit an air OF
lassitude. contrasting strangely with their
heated debating and excited exultation
OF few weeks ago. In short, the alb
normal has become the normal. The out
ward and visible signs of preparation for
conflict are still present. but the furors
which their novelty created has died
away, although the natives are stirred
Situated as Key West is, on the very
edge Of the United States and check-by-
jowl with Havana, ii is small wonder
that there is much.speculation as to what
would happen TO the island should war
with Spain ensue. An officer who is per-
manently located here, in summing VI
the uses of this island in case of war
said:
LAS far as can see. Key West would
be almost utterly useless TO the United
States in case Of war. IL guards no inlet
and no outlet. The recently received con-
signments of torpedoes and the two new
hand batteries will make it a fairly good
pace from a defensive point of view, but
unless it is protected by the feet, there
is little TO prevent sue ha ship as the
Vizcaya Smelling it and remaining out OF
harms way. AS a coaling station, Key
West is practically inutile, because the
harbor is not deep enough 10 permit OF
the entrance of any Of our big ships Ole
Fort Taylor, big red brick relic OF the
civil war, occupies a projection of the
island, but it is of course, practically dis
mantled.
At Dry Tortugas the same conditions
prevail. There Fort Jefferson, which Is
over a mile in circumference, is withou;
a garrison and out of date. II would be
impossible to maintain a garrison at that
fort. AS harbor Tortugas is all right
but for strategic purposes I fail to see
it's availability"
Rear Admiral Sicard has constantly said
to this correspondent that he regretted
his inability to get the big ships into
Key West harbor, and, besides coaling
them at Tortugas with for less trouble
he could then have them at his call within
a moments notice. The only two big
ships here, the flagship New York and
the battleship Iowa, are obliged to lie
six or seven miles out from land. Dry
Tortugas, where the Indiana. Texas and
Massachusetts lie, is over sixty miles
from Key West
The statement naturally suggests the
idea that concentration OF such large
fleet around Dry Tortugas and Key West
is doubtful policy. With natural caution
Admiral Sicard failed TO state, which il
the fact, that the government is making
strenuous efforts TO prepare Key West fol-
emergencies and is employing every re-
source to fit this island for the only STRAIT
egic position it could rightly fill, that oil
a coaling station.
Extensive dredging operations are TO be
undertaken without delay.
X. Simmons and M Cahill. presiden
and superintendent, respectively. of 1
New York City Dredging company. ar
rived here some little time ago 10 haster
the completion of contracts which theil
company has to furnish sand for forti
fications here and to deepen the harbor
Their contract for the Notifications, nov
in course of erection at Key West. calli
for $50. 900 cubic yards OF sand. The ca
pacity of their apparatus, which VII
shortly be put TO work. is 200 cubic yard!
per day. They are required TO complete
the work in three months. Mr.. Cahil
said today:
I'VE should have begun work some tins
ago had It not been for delay IN shipment
of important material Our contract K
dredge the harbor calls for a depth o.
| 30 feet opposite the government dock. thu
depth to extend 80 feet. We expect 4
| commence work within a few days ant
! should finish dredging within ten days
| Our largest battleships will then be aol'
to coal at the docks here"
This is significant. Taken IN commune
ton with the fact that the government il
considering the advisability of erectini
! coal sheds on its wharfs 50 soal can b
/ discharged and laden through cnutes. d
/ satisfactorily shows that although kel
! West may be OF little service It viii be
| come available as a coal station and in