Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-03-25
WILL BE A MISTAKE
A Fools Opinion Concerning Coming
Of Spanish Torpedo Boats
France Not Concerned.
GOMEZCAN'T SEE END OF WAR
United States Has Bought First-Olass
Torpedo Boat-spain Contends
Maine Explosion Was
Internal.

| MV0IUhls
Key West, March est was not un
til today that the news of the departure
of the Spanish torpedo fotilla from thu
Canary islands became known among
the naval officers here. 1t created al
intense feeling, especially among tht
officers of the torpedo boats in this har
Dor. One Of the most prominent said to-
day: 'If the United States allows those
Spanish boats to get to Porto Rico it will
be the biggest mistake ever made. Only
two torpedo boats in the navy would
have any chance of getting away from
the Spanish torpedo boat destrOyers,
while the Iowa, New York and Indiana,
lying out there six miles off the land,
would practically be at the mercy of a
dozen Spanish torpedo boats which
could be run over from Porto Rico in a
short time, should war be declared. We
have no protected harbors here and we
have not single torpedo destroyer, and
unless fleet powerful enough to be
proof against these torpedo boats is
quickly concentrated in these waters, or
unless the Spanish hotilla is warned to
keep further away, should judge it
would be better to take every United
States warship as far away as possible
from this menacing force which Spain
intends to concentrate within such a
convenient distance as Porto Rico"
Gomez Does Not Look for Early Ending Of
War.
New York, March 25.--A dispatch to
the Tribune from Havana says: Word
has been received by the Tribune cor
respondent direct from General Gomez.
He is planning an insurgent campaign
which will follow the expected recogni-
tion of Cuban independence by the
United States. Apparently, he did not
think Spain would Immediately accept
of Intervention or mediation, and be-
lieved recognition of independence
would follow the refusal. General
Gomez does not look for an early ending
Of the Cuban war. He hopes the United
States will not become engaged in war
with Spain, and believes that the ulti-
mate solution OF the Cuban problem is
the payment Of an indemnity to Spain
for Cuba's independence. He says Cuba
would perhaps be willing to pay Spain
5000, 600, 900 under guarantee by the
United States.
Maine Report In Hands of the President.
Washington, March 25.--Lieutenant
Commander Mark this morning delv-
cred to Secretary Long the report OF the
Maine court of inquiry.
The report Of the Maine court of In
quiry Is in the hands Of President Nc
Kinley. It was delivered this morning
by Lieutenant Commander Mark, Judge
advocate of the court of inquiry, to
Secretary Long, and by the latter taken
to the White house and handed to the
president. Lieutenant Mark accom-
panied Secretary Long to the White
house.
The report was carefully read in the
presence of all the members of the cabi-
net, and q general discussion followed.
Lieutenant Commander Mark, In answer
to several queries, explained some mat
ters not fully covered by the report. No
statement will be made by any cabinet
officer as to the contents of the report,
until 1t is transmitted to congress on
next Monday.
Change In Fleet.
The cruiser Cincinnati and gunboat
Wilmington will probably be added to
the flying squadron and also the Ban
croft now on the way across the Allan
tic. An official order was issued today
detaching Captain Chester, commander
Of the Cincinnati, from the south Allan
tic squadron. The effect Of this order is
to remove the Cincinnati from the south
Atlantic service, and to make her avail
able for the north Atlantic station
squadron.
New Commander Of Flying Squadron.
Commodore Winfield Scott Schley, at
present connected with light house
board, has been ordered to the COM
mand OF the flying squadron at Hamp-
ton Roads with the Brooklyn as his flag
ship. His command at present COM
prises three vessels, the Brooklyn, Col
umbia and Minneapolis, ocean grey
hounds, but in short time the squadron
will probably be swelled to about .
dozen ships. Commodore Schley refused
to talk at all concerning the rum0rs that
the flying squadron might be sent out
to interrupt the Spanish torpedo flOtilla.
The battleships Texas and Massachu-
Reinforcement for Fleet at Key West.
BY directions Of President Mckinley,
Secretary Long has spent more than
81 900, 900 In the purchase Of IL speedy
yachts and sea going tugs, which will be
at once converted into torpedo boat de-
stroyers and picket boats. They will be
sent to Key West.
Will Require Ten Days for Cross Ocean.
Naval experts believe that under or
binary circumstances It will take the
Spanish flotilla about ten days to make
the Journey across the ocean, but it is
exceedingly likely that 1t will actually
require several days longer.
It Is understood that some correspond
ence with Spain through Minister Polo,
considering the movements Of the Span
ish fotills Is not unlikely. What repre-
sentations, II any, he made can not be
ascertained.
First Glass Torpedo Boat Bought.
London, March 25.-Lieutenant Com
mander Colwell. the United States naval
attache here, bought for the United
States first class torpedo boat, built at
Stettin, for Germany. The United
States cruisers San Francisco and New
Orleans were expected to sail today, but
will probably postpone their departure
until tomorrow.
France Not Concerned In Cuban Question.
New York, March s5.--A special to
the Herald from Paris says: The FL
gario publishes an interview with M.
Hanotaux In which he says: "The Gu
ban question is not our business, but
that Of Spain and the United States"
He said France desired peace, however,
everywhere.
Spain says the Maine was Blown Up BY In.
h AN teFnal Expaoelon.
Madrid, March 16.-personS cognis-
snt Of the facts, unanimously declare
that the Spanish report says the explo.
sion which wrecked the Maine VA 81