The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
Some Naval Officers Think They VIII
he in Havana Wednesday,.


KEY WEST, Fla, April 1.-THE con-
frmation of the firm stand taken by the
President in the Cuban crisis, as shown by
his message to Congress, was received with
profound satisfaction here. Naval officers
think they are now likely to be in Havana
OIL Wednesday. Some of them go as far
as to claim that the Presidents message is
so warlike that their speculation is as to
whether Spain will weaken. The bulletin
announcing the delivery of the message
was promptly sent to Captain Sampson,
in command of the fleet by Commander
Forsyth. 1t was also posted in the hotel
here and copies were sent on board the
Amphitrite, Puritan, Terror, Nashville and
Helena.
Among the newspaper men on the Fern
as she steamed out of Havana harbor on
Saturday last the conversation was mainly
about matters occurring at this time the
comparing of notes and the correcting of
recollections. They were all satisfied that
Captain General Blanco had, possibly for
the first time, lost his grip on the situation.
The most abusive men were on the
wharves, at which points of vantage were
number Of officers of the Spanish army,
some of them being 'spoon officers" as
the Spaniards term the officers who have
risen from the ranks. Not one of them
could have reached the wharves had the
governor general ordered the closing of the
gates leading to the wharves. Their ges-
lures and insulting language to the Ameri-
cans amounted to nothing beyond being
an indication of the feeling which is likely
to break out SO soon as all restraints are
removed. All persons here are looking for
news of an outbreak in Havana immediate
ly after the decisive news from Washing
ton reaches the Cuban capital.
Apart from the great interest taken in the
Presidents message and the speculation a S
to the action of Congress on the subject,
the situation here is entirely uneVentful.
The greatest war fleet ever assembled in
american waters still lies distributed about
the harbor, with steam up ready and eager
10 sweep down upon the enemy at the Ma
tons command. During the past few days
there have been fewer naval men ashore
than ever before, it being evident that every
step has been taken to insure a quick move
ment upon the part of the war ships should
the long-expected and eagerly-awaited
order be flashed from Washington Every
possible preparation here has been COM
pleted, and all eyes are, figuratively speak
ing turned towards the Capitol, waiting for
the decisive words which will set in motion
the powerful machinery of war,
The cruiser Marblehead has been coaling
at the government dock to-day and the
monitor Amphltrite and the gunboat He
lena were lying only a cable length away
from her when the news of the preSenta-
liCn or the PRESIDENTS message to Congress
and of its purport was received here. The
men of the Marblehead, who were the first
to hear it, set up a chorus of cheering,
shook each others hands and danced about
on deck. The word was passed to the other
two ships, and equally vociferous dem
onstration followed on board each. General
Blanco'S proclamation of a cessation of hos
tilities is regarded al having little or no
bearing on the Presidents message and all
expect that the next bulletin from the
North will bring declaration of
The outlying fleet has adopted almost the
last preparations for active hostilities. The
f1agStaffs on the battle ships Indiana and
Iowa have been taken down and ensigns are
now flying from their smokestacks This is
an unusual precaution. The woodwork on
the cruiser New York is being torn out.
Captain Sampson went On board the Iowa
to-day and made an unofficial inspection.
The Viglances orders were counter
manded and she sailed for Havana tonight.
The gunboat Wilmington arrived this af-
ternoon from Jacksonville. The gunboat
Nashville took the patrol duty tonight.