The San Francisco call., 1898-02-18
CRUISER TO
 60 TO HAVANA Montgomery to Replace the Destroyed Battle
 ship Maine.
This Time Extra Precautions Will Be Taken to Prevent
 Treachery.
If Necessary Vessels Will Be on Hand to Enforce Demands
 for Indemnity.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

NEW YORK, Feb 17.-A Washing | ton special to the Herald says: There 1 Is every reason to believe that the ad- 4 ministration is determined to send a manof-war to replace the Maine in l Havana harbor, on the ground that | there is just as good reason for keep | ing a vessel at that point at this time as there was when the Maine was or dered there last month. In all proba- | bility the United States cruiser Mont | gomery, which is returning to Key West from the city of San Domingo, will be selected The Montgomery left San Domingo to-day for Key West. It is expected that she will cover the dis tance within three days. There Is possibility that the Montgomery may be employed to convey to Havana the court of inquiry which will investigate the destruction of the Maine, but as the court will not convene until Saturday, and will hold several sessions at Key | West before proceeding to Havana, there has been no action taken by the department looking to the expedition of the Montgomery's return.
 There has been some talk of dis patching the Marblehead, now at Mo bile, Ala, to Havana. If it should be | finally determined to select the Mont | gomery as the vessel to go to Cuba. 1 Commander Converse will be given in structions with a view to preventing repetition of the disaster suffered by the Maine. As was done by Captain Sigsbee. Commander Converse will be instructed to keep in close touch with 1 Consul-General Lee and to act upon | any suggestions for the protection of Americans and their interests that that officer may consider necessary.
 It can be authoritatively stated that battle-ship will not go to Havana harbor. In the first place the admin 1 istration would not be willing to again risk ship of this size. and in the sec ond it is thought that such action might be considered by Spain as a menace. This impression the authori- ties desire to avoid giving.
 Several insignificant orders were is- sued to-day by the Navy Department, which are regarded as highly signifi- cant by some of the officers on duty at the Navy Department. Instructions i were given to Captain Purcell F. Har- rington, commanding the monitor Puri- l tan, and Captain Nicoll Ludlow, com manding the monitor Terror. to keep i their vessels in communication. The Herald recently annQunced that formal l orders had been issued Dy the depart ment directing that these vessels be l placed in reserve. It was explained to me by an official of the department that l the action of the department was no; due to any suggestion of war. but that it was considered advisable to take pre- cautions and be ready to meet any emergencies that may arise.
 It is recognized by officials that If il should be found that the loss of the Maine was the result of an explosion an indemnity would be demanded and it is therefore regarded as good policy to be prepared to support a de mand In case 1t should be made.
 ! The Puritan is now undergoing re- pairs at the Norfolk navy yard. and II 1 is not expected that she will be ready i for active service under two weeks l The Terror to-day is ready for service l These vessels would be employed at 1 coast defense vessels
 ] It is also proposed by the department 1 to place the dispatch boat Dolphin 1T commission on March 24. Orders were issued to-day to officers and men o1 this vessel directing them to report fol duty at the Brooklyn navy yard or March B. The Dolphin will probably join the North Atlantic squadron.