The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-25
NORFOLK vIRGINIAN: TUESDAY JANUARY % 1898 U

Spanish population IN Havana ind
elsewhere and the only remote con-
tingency which might lead to un-
PHEASANT consequences was some overt
act on the part of the lnsurgent SYM
pathizers committed with q hope of
enbroiling Spain and the United States
In Just such an incident as happened
with the Baltmore's crew during the
insurreotion in Chill. In response to an
inquiry, the Mipister said that 1t was
not customary and part of diplomatic
usage for one country to notify the
alptomatic representatives Of another
I'D advance 1t intended to send war
ton.
Minister de LONE called at the State
department about 3 o'clock this utter
noon In pursuit Of information con-
cerninS the movements Of the Maine.
He asked and was free1y permitted to
see the orders sent 10 Admiral Sicard,
dlreot!ng> the Maine 10 proceed to
havana The fact that the Spanish
Minister was shown the orders is re-
garded as an indication that there is
nothing of a threa teninE or belicose
nature in them. The Navy Depart
menf received information during the
day that the squadron had sailed from
Key West to the TorIusas, this being
In accordance with the original pro-
The Maine is battleship of the second
class, and is regarded as one OF the best
ships of the navy. She was built a the
Brooklyn navy yard. and is 31S feet
long, 81 feet broad, PIG mean draught
and 6,6S2 tons displ "a cement. She has
two ten-nch vertical turretS and two
military masts and her motive power is
furnished by twin screw vertical triple
expansion engines, having n maximum
morse power of $685. capable of making
speed of 17.45 knots. She carrieS four
ten inch and siX SIX inch breech load
Ing guns in her main battery, and seven
sdN FOUNDER and eight one FOUNDER
rapid fire guns and four gatlinGs In her
secondary battery, and four Whitehead
torpedOes
While administration officials miss no
opportunity of declaring their conf
dence in the promise of the manten-
.ance of peace, it may be noted as
matter Of interest that the United
States now has assembled near Key
West the most formidable fleet of war
ships that has been gotten together in
our home waters for many years II
is made up Of The North Atlantic SQUAD
ron under command Of Admiral Sicard.
flagship New York, first class battle
Shlps Iowa, Indiana, ssachusetts
second class battleships Maine and
ieNas, cruisers Detroit and Miontgom-
cry, dispatch boat Fern, and the tor
pedo boat flotilla. composed of the
Gushing, Ericsson. Dupont and Porter
winch Will be reinforced in few
DAYS by the Foote. The big armored
cruiser Brooklyn. almost equal to
batileship herself, is fitting out at the
New York navy yard CAPTAIN Cook
VINO commands the ship was at the
navy Department this morning and eX-
poets to sail the latter part of the
week to join Admiral Sicird's squadron
The gunboat Nashville and the training
ship Essex are at Port Royal S. G.,
within easy call and the entire navy
may be said to be in state Of pre-
paredness that is gratifying to the Off
cials in view Of :he limited resources
placed in their hands by Congress
The first intimation the members of
the Senate Committee on Foreign Re
lations had of the orders to the Maine
was given in the Associated Press bull
letn. They received this informa Jon
with evident satisfaction. Senator
Foraker was particularly pleased to
hear the news. He said he wished the
Texas and the other vessels Of the
squadron would be ordered TO follow the
Maine.
Senator Cullom said: 81 am glad to
hear 1t. | hope the Maine Will be fol-
lowed by other vessels
Senator Teller said he would like to
sec the harlAor of Havana filled with
American ships.
Senator Daniel: 1T am glad to hear
OF it. 1t ought to have been done two
years ago"
There was qualification expressed
among members OF ihe House Commit
I:ee of Noreign Affairs. especially by
Mcssrs. Smith and Pearson, Republl-
cams. who had expressed some unrest
at the non-action of the committee OF
the house in the matter of Cuba.
New York. Jan. 24.-At the headquar-
tiers Of THE Cuban Junta in this city
there was some surprise expressed at
the explanation given by the State for
the dhspat ching Of the battleship Maine
Ia Havana. AS far us hOStilhics were
concerned. 1T was affirmed by Delegate
Palma and others THAT THE condition of
affairs to-day were precisely the same
as when hhe war broke out The inter
pretarions centrally put al the Junta
on the State DepalhmenIt' actions was
that it might DE an i>ffset ITO the action
OF Germany lin seI.tb5ng two war ships
to Havana.
I'M JFTTyp G