Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-07
Satisfaction Expressed Over the Presi-
dents Decision.
AMERICANNS IN CUBA PROTECTED
Arrangements for Bringing Home
Our People.
S FETY OF NEW SHIP S


satisfaction expressed over the decision of
the President to delay taking any action
that might possibly plunge the country into
war until existing arrangements have been
completed for the protection of the lives of
Americans in Spain and Cuba and Porto
Rico. These efforts have not been confined
to the Americans in the vicinity Of Ha-
vana, but are on a much more extensive
scale and include the protection of our citi.
zens at other places on the Island of Cuba.
While the majority of our people on the
island were assembled at Havana for
transportation to the United States, there
is also a comparatively large number con-
gregated at Matanzas, Sagua La Grande
and other Cuban ports. The arrangements
tor the care of the people a, these latter
ports have been nearly as complete as
those made for the relief of the Americans
at Havana.
Arrangements COmplcted.
According to an official of the State De-
pertinent today, the arrangements for the
home bringing of all Americans in Cuba
are as ample and complete as could DOS
Silly be made i'll the limited time permis-
sihle under existing conditions. Consul
General Lee has been clothed with ample
necessary for the safety of these people
This general discretion includes The power
to charter steamers and such other vessels
as may be available in making the trip to
t1or.da The Laval V sse,s Tsrn, Mangrove
and Bache are in the harbo. of Havana
and will be utilized in the transportation CT
resident Americans 10 Key West In case
of necessity they viii make Two or more
trips between the ports men toned
All Will BE Safe Before Monday.
Arrangements have been made with the
steamship line connecting with Kingston,
Jamaica, to have their vessels touch at
the various Cuban ports other than Ha-
vana, with view TO the home bringing of
the Americans not otherwise provided for.
There is no recent information at the State
Department showing the exact number of
Americans now in Cuba, but latest esti-
mates fix it roughly between 1000 and
5000. There is no doubt in the minds of
the officials who have had charge of this
matter that all the American citizens in
Cuba VINO may desire to take advantage
of the opportunity provided by the govern
ment will be out of Cuba and safely on
their way to the United States before neXt
Monday, the date arranged for the trans
mission of the Presidents message TO Con-
gress.
Recently Purchased Ships.
Another advantage that will accrue to the
United States by a short postponement of
radical action was pointed out at the Navy
Department today. 1t involved the ques-
ton of the safety of recently purchased
warships, the delivery of ordnance material
now afloat and the departure from what
would be neutral ports of several other
vessels recently acquired for the navy. The
New Orleans, the cruiser recently pur-
chased in England from the Brazilian gov
lantic under convoy of the San Francisco,
late flagship of the European squadron
These vessels left England on the 9th
ultimo and are expected to reach New York
Saturday Sunday. They are proceeding
leisurely, and it has been calculated that
it will take them about fourteen days to
make the trip. 1t is understood that these
vessels carry valuable cargoes, the princi-
pal portion of which are ammunition and
general ordnance stores, articles that are
now greatly in demand in this country.
They would prove valuable prizes to the
Spanish navy in the event of their CAPTURE
on the high seas.
The San Francisco is q protected cruiser
and would give good account of herself
in an engagement with any ship of her
class. She would be no match, however.
for any Of the big armored Spanish cruis-
ers, and might not be able to save her
convoy in the event of meeting a Spanish
fleet on her way across the ocean. Conse-
quently the naval officials are somewhat
concerned as to their whereabouts and will
be much relieved when they arrive at their
destination. The battle ship Texas arrived
at Hampton Roads this morning and will
join the flying squadron. II is possible that
one or more of this squadron may be sent
out on cruise in the paths of the trans
atlantic steamers in the nope of meeting
the San Francisco and New Orleans and
escorting them to New York.
1t is also expected that the cruiser Di-
ogenes and the torpedo boats Somers and
Manly, recently acquired by purchase in
Europe and at English ports at last ac-
counts, will have cleared for the United
States before Monday next, and so have
put themselves out of the danger Of deten-
ton in case of a declaration of war.
AMERICANS LEAVING CUBA.
Gen. Lee TeleEraPhs That All Is
Quiet at Havana.
A cablegrlm from Consul General Lee.
received this morning, announced that 200
I,olv- Say,o