Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-16
SPAIN'S OBJECTION
1t May Mean New Chapter Of
Trouble.
CRITICISM OF OUR NAVAL RENDEZVOUS
The Presidents Attitude Said to Be
Unchanged.
3ISM OF OUR NAVAL RENDEZVOUS
YACHT MAYFLOWER SECURED

statement sail to represent feeling in
the Spanish cabinet in which objection is
n,ade to the presence of the American fleet
at Key West is thought to indicate a new
chapter of trouble
Republican leaders who visited the Presi-
dent today say that the President Is un-
changed in his hope for peace, but is deter
mined to be prepared for war.
Gen. Miles left for New York, where he
Will confer with G IN. Merritt.
Capt. Chas. E. Clark was assigned to the
command of the battle ship Oregon
Secretary Alger has made two heavy
requisitions for part of the $4,000, OOo set
aE&rt for national defense.
Reports show 929 merchant vessels avail
able for the government in case of hos,il-
ities.
The Navy Department acquired the steel
yacht Mayf1ower.
Enlistment for the artillery regiments is
proceeding satisfact orily.
United States. the assembling of ships at
Key West, the purchase of cruisers abroad
and the emergency measures in the Wal
and Navy Departments have come to the
official attention Of the Spanish govern
D1ent, and the views of the Spanish cabinet
thereon have been communicated to the
State Department here. This has not taken
the form of protest, however, it does
hot appear that the Spanish government
claim or assert the right to question such
internal measures as the United States
may adopt. even though they be of char
acter TO indicate preparations for war.
1t is rather by way of representations,
conveyed IN friendly spirit and without
threat. to the serious influences which
these preparations will have in eneourag-
ing the Cuban insurgents at the moment
when the autonomy plan is to have it's
crucial trial through the Cuban elections,
and in this way defeat the reforms Premier
Sagasta is seeking to carry out.
The Fleet ut Key West
1t has been specially pointed out that the
presence Of a large fleet of United States
warships at Key West cannot be regarded
as a friendly measure. the sending of
ships was officially represented to be when
the Maine went to Havana and the Viz
caya returned the complimentary visit. In
short. the presence of this extensive fleet
near Cuba, together with the war measures
taken by the United States, are regarded
by Spain as seriously prejudicial to the poll
icy of autonomy which spain and the
United States have alike approved, and an
indirect encouragement to the insurgents in
defeating the desires of both governments
for the success of that policy. Finally and
fv, =
ton rather than of protest, Spain has
pointed out that war by the United States
against Spain under such circumstances
would be unJustifable before the world and
a crime against humanity and civilization
The representations contained no refer
ence whatever to the Maine disaster or to
redress or indemnity therefor.
A New Chapter of Trouble.
The published semi-official statement OF
the Spanish cabinets view as to the re-
sponsibiiity of the United States in the
Cuban situation has created a profound
impression. officials decline to discuss it
publicly. but there is general belief among
them that the publication marks the be-
ginning Of a new chapter in the troubled
relations between the United States and
Spain. The statement is believed to be a
first step toward forming public opinion
IN Europe IN anticipation of failure on
the part Of the Spanish officials to make a
success Of the autonomous program which
Il had outlined and that an attempt is to
ha made 20 place the responsibility upon
the United States for any failure that may
follow. Thls movement is regarded as
adding much 70 The gravity Of the present
situation That the administration will
bo Influenced by the suggestion that the
presence Of tne fleet of the north Atlantic
squadron at Key West is disturbing fac
tor IL not believed for a moment. Visible
evidence of that determination was the
ceaseless activity of the naval officials az
we'll as the steady prosecution of the plans
Of the War Department today.
Presidents Attitude Unchanged.
Republican leaders Of prominence who
have visited the White House today say
that the excessive calm which has follow
ed the exciting events of the past few
weeks is not due to any change of policy
on the part of the President the ad-
n.inistration. They say that the only basis
for the belief that peace is more certain
and war more remote Is the attitude of
Spain.
1t is now apparent to the visiting states
men that the Spanish bondholders must be
exerting immense pressure the spanish
government, and that a result Of that pres
sure is to cause Spain to resort to various
diplomatic schemes and to cease bluster
and threats. II Is practically certain that
the bondholders have told Spain that II
she does anything to aggravate the situa-
ton she will not get any money to carry
on war with the United States While
Spain is being held down by threats
certain influences are at work on differ
ent lines here, all with the object of pre-
venting trouble.
But 1t Is well known that the influences
here have not altered the Presidents plans
Three weeks ago his policy was announced
in The Star to be to ike no positive action
regarding the Cuban situation until the re-
port Of the board OF inquiry was received
that is. not to make any demand upon
Spain until that time. There has been nc
change in that policy which was interna-
tional In its scope. The Lee incident caused
change in the internal plans OF the gov.
ernment.
The Decision ms to the Maine