The record-union., 1898-03-17
Might Influence Elections to
be Held In Cuba,
Representations on the Subject Made
at the State Department.
The Assembling of WarshipS in Florida
Waters Continues, However, Not
WithstaHdlng the Protest.

| WASHINGTON, March 16.-The main
development in the Spanish situation to-
/ day was in connection with the definite
representations submitted by the Span
ish Government to the State Department
concerning the assembling OF a large
ileet of American warships al Key West,
the war preparations and the influence
which these might have on the ap-
! preaching elections in Cuba. These rep
resentations We're exactly in line with
| the semi official utterance given in these
dispatches last night. and accredited 10
a high official conversant with the views
Of the Spanish Cabinet. While these rep
resentations cannot properly be regarded
as a protest against the attitude and
acts of the United States Government.
they may unquestionably be set down as
a remonstrance calculated to have an
! effect in European court circles.
! Not, however being d technical pro-
/ test. the statement has not called forth
any official rejoinder on the part of the
/ State Department, for it is lacking in
/ tangible accusations, being rather an
/ argumentative presentation of alleged
Spanish grievances.
! 1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence of large fleet of United
States Ssarsi1ips at Key West cannot he
/ regarded as a friendly measure. as the
sending OF ships was officially repre-
sented to be when the Maine went to
Havana, and the Vizcaya returned the
complimentary visit. In short, the pres
ence of this extensive fleet near Cuba, to-
! gether with the war measures taken by
the United States, is regarded by Spain
as seriously prejudiciaI to the policy Of
autonomy which Spain and the United
States have alike approved and an in
direct Encouragement to the insurgents
in defeating the desires of both Govern
ments for the success of that policy.
Finally. in the same spirit of friendly
| representation, Spain has pointed out
that war by the United States against
Spain under such circumstances would
be unjustifiable before the world. and a
crime against humanity and civilization.
The representations contain no reference
whatever to the Maine disaster, or the
redress or indemnity therefor.
THE MONTGOMERY COMING HOME
The Fern sailed for Havana from Key
, West this afternoon. She goes TO re-
ieve the Montgomery as home for the
officers engaged in supervising the
wrecking operations in Havana harbor.
1t is stated unequivocally that the
Montgomery is not withdrawn owing TO
any suggestion from Spanish sources
that her presence is not desired 1t was
the announced intention of Secretary
Long when the cruiser was sent to Ha-
yana to keep her there only so long as
the Fern should be engaged in the work
Of distributing relief among the suffer-
ers in eastern Cuba. This task having
/ been performed and owing to the re-
turn Of the court of inquiry from Ha-
vana, there being fewer persons to ac-
commodate, the Fern, which is better
equipped thar the Montgomery to as
sist in the wrecllins work, is returned to
her position.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
/ Up to the close of Office hours the Navy
Department. though ii knew officially
that the court of inqiury had come over
| TO Key West from Havana, was not in
/ formed as 20 the findings or plans of the
court
| THE FLEET AT KEY WEST
| The feet at Key West will be avg
mented i'll the next day or two by the ar
rival of the gunboat Annapolis, the tor
pedo boat Foote and the naval tugs Icy
! den and Samoset, While the gunboat
Helena is now on her way from the Eu
orpean station under orders to report at
Key West The Helena reported her ar
rival at Funchal on her way to join the
fleet
| These. with the other vessels previ-
ousIy ordered to Key West, constitute
/ the largest assemblage OF war vessels
made since the demonstration following
the ynglnius affair. and. considering ef-
/ fectiveness and armament, it is the
strongest assenblage Of warships, for
review and other purposes. since the
war.
MONEY FOR THE WAR DEPART
MENT.
! Secretary Alger has made acquisitions
on the President for two large allot-
,0ents froEn the appropriation of s59,-
/ 0)e,000 for the national defense. One is