New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
WARSHIP GOING TO HAVANA
NO MENACE INVOLVED IN THE ORDERS
TO THE MAINE.
ONLY A RESUMPTION OF FRIENDLY NAVAL RD-
LATIoNs WITH SPAIN INTENDED-THp
STEP LONG CONTEMPLATED BY THE
ADMINIsTRATION-NO OBJECTION
RAISED BY THE SPANISH
(BY TELEGRAPH 40 THE rRrDrNE.l
GOVERNMENT

natural state OF affairs which grew up under
the Cleveland regime. involving the mainten-
ance Of American vessels during the winter
months In Northern waters conspcuously re-
moved from Cuban ports. and Admiral Sicard
has been directed to send the Maine to Havana
in conformity, 1t is distinctly explained with the
customary practice Of permitting the ships OF
the United States to visit the ports OF all ma
tions with which this country is at peace.
Ever since March last the naval authorities
have experienced more or less embarrassment
from the apparent prohibition OF American war
ships at Havana, where the interests OF this
country are enormous. while they have freely
resorted to Turkish, Chinese and other harbors
with the avowed purpose OF commanding respect
for the flag and for those who entitled to It's
protection. This prohibition constituted in effect
the recognition OF a state Of affairs In Havana
which was denied to exist by the Spanish Gov
ernment, and placed the United States In tho
false position OF taking a stand which might be
construed by other nations to constitute grave
diplomatic precedent.
THE ORDERS TO ADMIRAL sICARD
Under to-day's directions. Admiral sicard VIII
detach the Maine from his squadron and order
Captain S'gsbee TO call at Havana. thereby re-
storing a natural condition. Captain Sgsbee Is
perhaps, better equipped than any other officer
in the North Atlantic Squadron to resume
friedly naval relations with the Spanish authori-
ties and others In Havana. There is moro
evel-headed officer in the service. none moro
popular. and, with all his faculty OF making
friends none braver The Maine may reach
Havana tonight or not for several days, al
though it is not believed that Admiral Sicard
will delay her longer than is absolutely essen
tial. AS Havana is the only port south or
n 10
battle-ships Iowa Massachusetts, and Indiana
and the cruisers Naw-York and Brooklyn. Il Is
proposed 70 have these vessels call there for
coal they need 1t during the two months Of
evolutions nearby.
The Maine the point Of visiting Ha-
vana ten days ago when the rioting took place
in that city. and upon Spanish representations
that the motive might be misinterpreted her
departure delayed. no urgent necessity
for the ships presence reported by Consult
General Lee. The Maine sent 10 Key West
for this purpose a month ago. the immediate
cause Of her dispatch having been the German
Haytian incident The Spanish Government and
Minister de LONE have been fully aware ~ this
programme for some time and though they have
not been consulted about the details which
were purely Of a domestic nature, they were
courteously informed of the Administrations
ynoment OF rioting IN Havana, and he request
for temporary postponenent was withi. avn as
soon as the city became tranquil again.
A CONFERENCE At THE WHITE HOUSE.
The decision to send the Maine TO Havana
was finally reached at a conference AZ the White
House this morning between the President Sec
retary Long. Attorney General McKenna. AS
slstant Secretary Day and General Miles, and Il
IL haf uff "a Q fba IUn %
Secretary Of the Navy and the Attorney Gen
eral. not a member OF the cabinet knew Of the
Presidents intention to take this action II Is
not denied however, that some such move has
been long in contemplation. as is shown in the
following statement made by Assistant Secre-
tary Day this afternoon.
The sending Of the Maine 10 Havana means
simply the resumption of friendly naval rea-
tions with Spain. It is customary for naval yes
sells OF a friendly nation 10 pass In ana out or
the harbors Of other countries with which they
are at peace and British and German warships
have recently visited Havana. This is no new
move. The President has intended to 10 II Tor
some time. but heretofore something has hap
pened TO postpone it, The orders to the Maine
mean nothing more than have said. and there
is nothing alarming nor unfrenily IN 'heH
The Spanish Minister here is fully Informed OF
made the slightest objection TO H.
Mr. Dav said further that Consul-Generai
Tea had not asked for warship. This state
mont shows that the move made delioer-
ateIv and that il could not have been taken II
there we're Sc ious Apprehension OF It's results
in Havana The general belief here, however,
Is that in Madrid rather than in any CUBAN
town is trouble TO be looked for II there snouid
be any mlsapprehension Of the purpose ot ths
Government In sending the Maine 10 havana
The temper OF the Opposition newspapers IN
the Spanish capital has been threatening Tor
some time. and it nay require the strong hand
~ the news censor to repress utterances that
would lead 10 riot!ng.
A STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY LONG.
The text Of Admiral s!cards orders was not
made public at the Navy Department nut II
was said that the substance Of them was con-
tained In the following statement made py
Secretary Long: 80 far from there being any
foundation for the rumOrs yesterday OF trouble
=, Havana matters are now I'm such condition
that our vessels are going TO resume their
friendly calls AT Cuban ports and 60 in and out
inst as the vessels u other nations do. The
Maine will go In a day or two on just such
visit The Department has issued orders for
vessels TO attend the public celebrations in
Mobile and the MardI Gras at New-Osleans. and
for the torpedo hotilla to visit Galveston, Tex"
The orders were not sent directly 10 the Maine
for the reason that she IS now attached TO the
squadron and the naval regulations require all
such orders to go through the superior officer.
There is some question az to whether the tcie-
gram reached the Admiral before he sailed with
his squadron from Key West for Tortugas Har-
bor The belief Is that II did not. but this Will
make little difference in the programme. as the
dispatch doubtless will be sent To the Admiral
by one OF the torpedo-bOats or some other means
OF conveyance The details ot the Names move
ments are believed To be left for the arrange
n,ent OF Admiral Sicard, but IL il thought that