Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-19

sheathed In iron or steel, they would
| appear to be as formidable in warlike
exterior as the modern naval cruiser or
gunboat.
The presence Of the steamer City of
washington of this navigation cor
poration, which was moored near the
pattleship Maine at the time of the
heartrending disaster in Havana har-
Dor, called universal attention to this
seagoing line. The vessel, which was
slightly damaged, was converted into
hospital. as many OF the rescued and
wounded men, some nearly nude, were
Drought aboard. The passengers gen.
erously furnished clothing, and the
boats officers did everything within
their power to give comfort to the VIC
TINS. Half an hour after the explosion
Consul General Lee, the civil governor
OF havana and Captain General Blan-
cos chief of STAFF were on board the
vessel.
The James E. Ward & Co. steamship
line, as 1t Is generally called, has been
In active and successful operation for
a number of years, but since the begin
ming of the last Cuban war in Febru-
airy. 1895, 1t has become especially prom
inent from its direct connection with
the ports of the war ravaged and great
~ devastated island and the occasional
incidents-such as the escape OF noted
refugees-happening to It's otherwise
tranquil commercial routine. The
knowledge of its captains and crews
concerning the peoples, their languages
and customs, of this tropical region of
the entire coast Of the West India
archipelago. the shore line and ports of
Mexico. Yucatan and the larger islands
with dozens of the smaller ones, would
be of inestimable value to our govern-
ment. supplemented. by the natural
widespread acquaintance of many of
our naval officers and the charts of the
photographic office. In case of trouble
with the Spanish crown, for the i'm
broglio would undoubtedly be settled in
the vicinity of the Greater Antilles.
Naval engagements and sea encounters |
would be the leading events In a war
with the Castilian dons.
This company has three distinct sail |
ing or steaming lines from New York |
city. that to Havana also going to Ma
tanzas, Cardenas and Sagua la Grande,
aii on the north coast of Cuba: that to
Nassau, on the island of New Provi-
1ence, calling at Santiago de Cuba and
Cienfuegos. both cities being on the
1'O'N "a sht ASNti Isle, !
and that to Vera Cruz stopping NJ Pro-
sreso. Campeche, Frontera, Tampico
md Tuxpan.
The fact that the United States gov
ernment has the claim OF priority of
light in demanding aid, which has been
emphasized by granting subsidies for
he carrying of the mails and by giving
other forms OF bonus upon all its mer-
'antile marine. the steamer lines, coast
wise. transatlantic and lake service is
we'll established. and the feasibility of
the larger steamers into ar
nored vessels upon very brief notice
rom Washington was long ago ar
'anged by mutual action of the steam
nip owners and representatives of the
iavy department. 1t Is not to be sup
'osed that they will compare with the
rIisegs and men-of-war OF the navies
" the world, but they will be able to
'rove worthy antagonists in a conflict
It sea with minor gunboats and can
g readily destroy and sink merchant
nan as If they We're of the heaviest
martial callber.
The steamers OF the Ward line are OF
he latest design. most magniicentIy
uilt and devised with as complete COM
ort and elegance on more curtailed
cope ms the larger ocean liners."
hough the probability is that their con-