Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-25
HE YOUNG ElION,n

"arshlps OF two Jhdly powers TO
enter and leave eacn others ports, the
WARSHIPS OF SPAIN
had visited American ports on COM
plimentary missions three times in as
many years, and ii there had not been
an American warship in Havana in
the same length of time it was merely
because the United States government
had not seen fit to order one there
AS TO the possible consequences of the
Names appearing at Havana at this
Time, the minister expressed himself
as not at all uneasy. There was mo
doubt, he said, of the conservative be-
havior of the loyal Spanish popula-
ton in Havana and elsewhere and the
only remote contingency which might
lead to unpleasant consequences was
some overt act on the part of the in
surgent sympathiZers committed with
hope of embroiling Spain and the
United States in just such an incident
as happened with the Baltimore's
crew during the insurrection in Chill.
In response to an inquiry the minis
ter said that it was not customary
and part of diplomatic usage for one
country to notify the diplomatic rep
it intended to send war vessel to the
waters of the other nation.
The statement of Minister De LONE
makes it apparent that the Spanish
government will not regard the dis
patch of the Maine to Havana as an
hostile act and equivalent to a breach
of the friendly relations between the
two countries.
Tot I, ,al1 l. Al %0I
to make the visit to Havana for the
protection of American interests, is a
battleship
OF THE SECOND CLASS,
and is regarded as one of the best
ships in the new navy. She was built
at the Brooklyn navy yard, and is 31S
feet long, 81 feet broad. PIG mean
draught and 66S2 tons displacement
She has two 10-inch vertical turrets
and two military masts and her motive
power is furnished by twin screw verti-
cal triple expansion engines, having a
maximum horsepower Of 9,293, capable
of making a speed of 17.45 knots.
She carries four 10-inch and six c.
inch breech-loading guns in her main
battery, and seven 6-pounder and eight
1-pounder rapid-fre guns and four gat-
lings in her secondary battery and four
Whitehead torpedoes.
While administration officials miss
no opportunity Of declaring their con-
fidence in the promise of the main
tenance of peace, it may be noted as
a matter of interest that the United
States now has assembled near Key
West the most formidable feet of war
ships that has been gotten together in
our home waters for many years. 1t is
made up of the North Atlantic squad
ron under command of Admiral
Sicard, flagship New York, first class
battleshiDs Iowa, Indiana, Massachu
sets; second class battleships, Maine
and Texas; cruisers, Detroit and Mont
gomery; dispatch boat, Fern, and the
torpedo boat fotilla, composed of the
Cushing. Ericsson, Dupont and Porter,
which will be reinforced in a few days
by the Foote. The
BIG PROTECTED CRUISER
Brooklyn, almost equal to the battle
ship herself, is fitting out at the New
York navy yard, and Captain Cook,
who commands the ship was at the
navy department this morning, expect
ing to sail the latter part of this week
to join Admiral Sicard's squadron.
The gunboat Nashville and the train
ing ship Essex are at Port Royal, S. c.,
within easy call, and the entire navy
may be said to be in a state of pre-
paredness that is gratifying to the Off
Gals, in view of the limited resources
placed in their hands by Congress.
The general belief here is that in
Madrid, rather than in any Cuban
town, is trouble to be looked for, If
there should be any misrepresentation
of the purpose of our government IN
sending the Maine to Havana. The
temper of the opposition newspapers
in the Spanish capital has been threat
ening for some time, and it may re-
quire the strong hand Of the news
censor to repreSS utteranceS that would
lead to rioting.
Admiral Sicard's orders were not
made public in their text at the Navy
Department.
The commander of the Maine, Cap
tain Sigabee, is favorite in the navy
department. For four years he was
chief Of the photographic office and
by his energy brought the office up
to a high standard. He was lucky to
get so important a ship as the Maine,
considering his actual rank. which is
that of a commander but Immediately
he justified the departments judg-
ment in the selection by running the
ship straight into dock in New
York harbor to avoid running down
PACKED EXCURSION BOAT.
This was a display of quick judgment,
nerve and pluck that pleased the de-
partment so highly that the captain
was sent a complimentary letter. His
officers are also a good lot, including
Lieutenant Commander Richard
Wainwright, Lieutenants G. F. Hol-
man. John Hood and c. w. Yungen,
Lieutenants Gunior grade) G. W.
Blow. J. T. Blandin, F. w. jenkins,
Cadet J. H. Holden, W. T. Cluverius,
Anon Bronson, and D. T. Boyd, Jr.
Surgeon [. G Heneberger, Paymaster
q. w. Iittlefield, Chief Engineer G.
p Howell, Past Assistant Engineer
T G. Bowers. Assistant Engineers j.
R. Norris and D. R. Merritt, Cadet En-
gineers Pope Washington and Arthur
Crenshaw. Chaplain ]. P. Chadwick,
and lieutenant of Marine A. w. Cat
lin
Minister De Lone called again at the
State Department about 3 o'clock in
nursuit of information concerning the
movements of the Maine. tie asked
and was freely permitted 10 see the
orders sent to Admiral Slcard, dlfect-
ing the Maine to proceed to havana
The fact that the Spanish minister was