The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-17
PROTEST
BY SPAIN
Against the Warike Prepa ~ations Of
Our Government.
BUT STILL The WORK GOES ON
Seven Of the Names officers Are Home
ward Bound on Leave Of Absence.
Some Remaining at Key West
Believe the Disaster Was
External.


the Spanish government to the state
department concerning the assembling
of large fleet Of American warships
at Key West, the war preparations and
the influence which these might have
on the approaching election in Cuba.
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence Of a large fleet of United
States warships at Key West cannot be
, regarded as friendly measure, as the
sending of ships was officially repre-
sented to be when the Maine went tc
Havana and the Vizcaya returned the
! complimentary visit. In short, the
| presence Of this extensive fleet neal
/ Cuba, together with the war measures
taken by the United States, are regard.
ed by Spain as seriously prejudicial tc
| the policy of autonomy which Spain
and the United States have alike ap.
proved and an Indirect announcement
to the insurgents in defeating the de-
sires Of both governments for the sue
cess Of that policy.
Finally, and in the same spirit Of
friendly representation rather than Of
protest, Spain has pointed out that a
war by the United States AGAINST
| Spain under such circumstances would
be unjustifable before the world. and
a crime against humanity and civiliza-
ton.
The representations contained no
reference whatever to the Maine dis
aster or to redress of indemnity there
for.
While these representations cannot
properly be regarded as a protest
against the attitude and acts of the
United States government, they NAV
unquestionbly be set down as a re-
monstrance calculated to have an eff
feet in European court circles. Not
however, being a technical protest the
statement has not called forth any Of
ficial rejoinder on the part of the state
department, for it is lacking in tangible
accusations, being rather an argument
ative presentation of alleged Spanish
grievances.
The Fern sailed for Havana from
Key West yesterday afternoon. She
goes to relieve the Montgomery as a
home for the officers engaged in super-
vising the wrecking operations in Ha-
vana harbor 1t is stated unao1ivo-
cally that the Montgomery is not with
drawn owing to any suggestion from
Spanish sources that her presence is
not desired. 1t was the announced in
tention Of Secretary Long when the
cruiser was sent to Havana to keep
her there only so long as the Fern
should be engaged In the work of dis
tributing relief among the sufferers in
eastern Cuba. This task having been
performed, and owing to the return of
the court Of inquiry from Havana.
there being fewer persons to accommo-
date the Fern, which is better equip
ped than the Montgomery to assist in
the Wreckng operations, is returned to
her position.
IL Is said that the object Of the navy
department in purchasing such craft
as the late Mr.. Ogden GoeIets yacht
MayhoWer is to provide as quickly as
possible number of picket boats of
good speed and seagoing ability to act
as scouts, and also to aid our iron |
clads and more expensive vessels in |
operations against torpedo boats. A .
large number of private yachts have |
Oeeh offered to the department, and
other acquisitions Of the same type as
the MaytloWer may be expected.
Inc heet at Key West viii be aur-
mented within the next day or two |