The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-24
THE TEXAS LEAVES GALVESTON
The Vessels of the Atlantic squadron
Now Nearing Key West.

WASHINGTON. Feb. G.-Consul-Gen-
eraI Lee. in the course Of friendly tax
I'm Havana with Americans. may have
EXPRESSED the view that there are AT
present other places more desirable as
resorts for persons who have no paruc-
ular business there than Havana. but
the State Department authorizes the an
nouncemont that 1t has not yet been ad-
vised that he has either officially or
semi-oficially delivered himself OF any
expression on the subject
The Spanish legation also discredits
reports that General Lee has given any
such warning and il is also said at the
Department that no message has been
conveyed to The owners OF American
vessels at New Orleans or elsewhere that
lt would not be safe FOR them 10 visit
cuban ports at this time.
TEXAS AND NASHVILLE.
The iattleshp Texas and the gunboat
Nashville left Galveston Tex, tod ~ for
Key West. where they viii rejoin the
other vessels cf Admiral Sicard's squad
ron at that point No orders for this
movement were sent by the Navy De-
partment. as il Is stated that tt Is In ac-
cordance with the orders given several
weeks ago 10y which th3 TWO ships were
directed TO remain at Galveston from
the 18th 20 the 25d instant 20 partcipa' q
IN the Mardi Gras celebration there and
return 20 Key West on the latter date.
This was before the Maine disaster 90
that the present movement is said 10
have no possible significance on the re-
cent occurrence.
The noon mail brought to Secretary
Long a letter from Admiral sicard at
Key West The Admiral wrote that he
had not yet recovered his health and
would be unable 90 go to sea with the
squadron. lie will remain on shore at
his hotel I'm Key West and retain COM
mand Of the squadron from that place
so long as il remains In harbor there.
relinquishing IL only when il becomes
necerea~v for the vessels 20 60 to sea as
a squadron.
Should the squadron be obliged TO 90
10 sea with the Admiral ill az Key Nest
and the senior officer Of his fest. Captain
Sampson. engaged IN the investigation
at Havana, probably the command OF the
SQUADRON would dcvolve upon Captain
Taylor. now commanding the battles nip
Massachusetts, and commonly regarded
as one Of the brightest and brainiest Of
ncc~e ir re naval service.
Simultaneous with the departure Of the
Texas and Nashville from Galveston for
Kew West. the MdiuitNtdu VIII ieaNe
New Orleans. and the Detroit will leave
Mobile for Key West. These movements
are also par, Of the orders given early
this month before the Maine disaster.
THE Montgomery Is also due at Key West
having icft san Domingo FOR Key West
on the 18TH.
The result will ne to bring together
aoaIn the large number of vessels under
Admira! sicard at Key West and the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the cruiser New York
rlv ~ Tortrras The inoiant Maesa-
chuscfs MarNiehead. MONTGOMERY Nash
willie. The Dupont IL iu dry dock at Mo-
bie and may not be ready for som
DAYS. The Brooklyn is also cruising IN
the West Indies AZ present en- route from
81 Thomas 20 Vera Cruz.
AT the spanish Legation AFFAIRS have
resumed their normal aspect Senor Du
Bose mas received 40 reports az any char
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