The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-06
TROUBLE WITH FLORIDA
The State Insists on q Quaran-
tine of Warships.
PROVISIONS FOR CUBANS
Reports of Terrible Destitution in Ma
tanzas and Sagua La Grande-The
Purchase of Warships by
the United States.

government of the United States and
the state of Florida, if the officials of
the state endorse the stand taken by
the local officials at Key West. The
latter have notified Admiral Sicard that
on the first of next month they propose
to enforce the state quarantine law
against all craft arriving from outside.
as a measure of protection against the
introduction of yellow fever.
The notice indicates that the law will
be applied to the naval vessels, and In
view of the serious Interruptions such
interference with the free movements
of his ships would cause, Admiral ST.
card has reported the facts to the navy
department and awaits instructions.
The department officials cannot tolerate
with eQuanimity the stoppage of such
craft as the Mangrove and the Fern
on their errands of mercy, nor delays
that may result in the prosecution of
the work of the Wreckers engaged ON
the Names hull and in the work of the
court of inquiry. The president himself
probably will communicate with the
governor of Florida with a view to
securing an abatement of the law so far
as 1t is proposed to apply it to naval
vessels, this being the speediest manner
of dealing with the case, although it
may be stated that the national gov
eminent has never recognized the right
sells in case their movement We're deem
ed necessary. The warships have vol
unfairly submitted to quarantine when
returning from any port suspected of
Infection, but this is asserted to be
merely a concession and not the recog-
milton of any lawful right on the part
of the state authorities In view of the
fact that the officers on our warships,
with the aid of capable surgeons on
each ship. make it their pride to keep
their craft in the most healthful con-
dition. naval officers for that territory
may be safely able to run their ships
between Havana and Key West with
out restriction. As an evidence of the
care exercised to avoid carrying conta-
gion, the officials point to the fact that
without suggestion from any of the
health authorities of Florida Admiral
Sicard caused the wounded survivors of
the Maine disaster to be detained for
several days at Tortugas before allow
ing them to go to Key West
1t is asserted positively at the state
department that there has been no
change in the plans for sending the
Eastern Cuba ports with relief sup
plies for the reconcentrados. 1t had
been suggested that the offer of a
merchant steamer from New York to
take some of these goods to Cuba
would relieve the naval vessels from
tie 1ldUGe OF I01S OnerOuS TASK,
but the declaration from the state de-
partment insures the execution of the
original programme and the ships
named will sail for Matanzas and
Sagua La Grande as soon as the goods
arrive at Key West from New York
Reports that have come to the state
department from those places, show
that terrible restitution exists, prob
ably nowhere exceeded on the island
and the officers of the Montgomery
saw for themselves on their recent
stop at Matanzas. the extent of the
misery. 1t is said by some of the cor
respondents of these officers that they
all returned penniless from their Gu
ban cruise, having been so moved by
what they saw that they gave away
all their ready cash, 1t was decided
this afternoon to abandon the project
ed order to the flagship Olympia to re-
turn to San Francisco from Hong
Kong. Without this fine ship the
Asiatic squadron would be made up Of
gunboats and unprotected cruisers,
without any great degree of defensive
and no offensive force against armored
ships. The cruiser Baltimore. now at
Honolulu, has been selected to take the
powder to be brought to that port by
the Mohican further along to Hong
Kong for the vessels of the Asiatic
squadron. Whether or not the ship
manently has not vet been deter
mined.
The torpedo boat Winslow, which has
been under repairs at the Norfolk navy
yard, sailed to-day for Key West to
join the fiotilla.
The continued reports that Spain is
buying new warships led to counter
reports that the naval authorities here
were considering similar purchases.
In no official quarter at the navy de-
partment could this be confirmed. as
steps of this character necessarily
would be guarded with the greatest
secrecy. There is no little doubt, how
ever. that the department is informing
itself fully as to the opportunities of
purchasing should the necessity for
ships arise. Thus far there have been
no negotiations for ships. and no OPP
tions asked on particular ships. Quite
number of offers of ships have been
submitted to Secretary Long by ship
building concerns in this country and
abroad. These have been docketed and
filed, bur beyond an acknowledgment
of the offers no steps toward purchase
have been taken.
Under ordinary circumstances the
navy department would require author
ity from congress to purchase war
ships. There is no law which permits
a larger exercise of authority in times
of emergency than at other times 1t
is said. however. by the naval author
tiles that such emergency measures as
might be required would have the sub
seauent approval of congress. A prece-
dent is cited as to the purchase of a
naval vessel in time of emergency with
out the assent of congress. While Sec
rotary Chandler was at the helm of
the navy department information
reached here that the Greeley Arctic
to-
and that relief was imperative without
a days delay, and it is now a matter of
history that If the relief party had
been "A hours later in reaching Greeley
and his men the latter would have sue
cumbed from starvation. None of the
naval ships at the time were available.
The Bear was offered for sale. however,