The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-02
NAVAL. MALTA.
Letters Sent to the Governors of the Sea
Coast States.
Washington, d. c., April 2.

washington, ~ ", Aplll
Supplementing the action taken on
Thursday by the navy department in
requesting governors of states to drill
and equip the naval militia, so as to
be ready for any emergency Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt yesterday sent let
ters to the governors of those sea-
coast states not having such Organiza-
tions TO take steps looking to the for
nation of naval militia. 1t is hoped
that each of these states will be en-
abled to promptly acquiesce in the de-
partments request The coast states
not having naval militia organizations
are Maine, New Hampshire, Delaware,
Texas and Alabama.
Late in the afternoon Secretary Long
received a telegram from the adjutant
general of Connecticut stating that the
governor directs him to notify the de-
partment that the naval battalion of
Connecticut is in readiness and is
awaiting orders from the president.
The navy department received in
formation yesterday that the cruisers
ViZcaya and Oquendo, the two fine
Spanish vessels which have been lying
at Havana, had left that port. Their
destination is not known, but there is
reason to believe that thev have gone
to join the torpedo flotilla.
The naval officials continue reticent
regarding the acquisition of new yes
sells for the auxiliary fleet and the ne
gotiations for the purchase of ships
of war aboard, but there were indica-
tiOns today that, in spite of the an
nounCed belief of the department that
no more ships were to be looked for in
that quarter, all hope has not been
abandoned. No confirmation of the
cable dispatch from Denmark that ne
gotiations were under way for the pur-
chase Of two Danish cruisers could be
obtained, but at the same time it was
not denied. Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt when asked the question direct,
replied that he could not answer.
Reconcentrado Order Subterfuge.
The subcommittee of the senate
committee on foreign relations appoint
ed to draft a report and prepare a
form of resolution outlining a course
| of action will report to the full COM
mittee at its meeting today. The sub
! committee will recommend the adop-
tion of a resolution declaring, in the
first place for the recognition of the
]
and in the second for the Intervention
by the United States with her army
| and navy, for the purpose of assisting
! the Cubans to secure independence in
case Spain continues to refuse to con-
cede it. The committee will treat the
resembling of the order for the recon-
centration of the Cuban non-combat-
ants as a subterfuge, and will dwell
] 4 l.,
ment of these unfortunates will detail
| the Maine incident and attempt to
| demonstrate that it is a sufficient cause
for the declaration of war If this
country were desirous of making il
such, and also will touch upon the in
! jury to American interests caused by
the Cuban struggle as a full justifica-
ton for our interference. The com.
mittee will report to the senate on Mon.
day unless 1t is then made evident tha
it has been impossible for the presi'
dent to complete his promised message
for lack of time.
Senator Mcmillan, who has been IL
consultation at the White House tive
or three times a day ever since thu
situation became critical, made tn,
following statement: THE presiden
is fatfooted on the proposition tina
Spain must move out bodily. He ais,
knows absolutely that Spain cannot, o
at least will not, consent to this com
plete abandonment. That means war
The president squarely faces that, Fl
is not ready. He recognized certain
serious unpreparedness. McKinle,
feels he would be guilty of great neg
llgence if the deficiencies be not mad
good before we are plunged into war.