The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-01-27
THE Maine At HAVANA
Spaniards Gave the Ship a
Hearty Welcome.
THE USUAL SALUTES AND VISITS.
Wen win Not BE Allowed to Go Ashore
to Avoid Friction and Prevent Catch
ing Yellow Fever - other Vessels to
Relieve the Battlesiip.

HAVANA, Jan. 26.---The United States
battleship Maine, commanded by Charles
d. Sigsbee, which left Key West is here,
and was saluted by the forts and war
vessels.
Shortly after the arrival here of the
Maine, Lieutenant Albert Medrano,
representing the captain of the port,
Vice Admiral Jose Pastor, visited the
United States battleship and extended
the customary courtesies.
The arrival of the warship caused
much surprise and excited considerable
curiosity.
A naval lieutenant of the Spanish
cruiser Alphonse XII, the Spanish flag
ship visited the Maine early in the
afternoon, as did also an officer of the
German cruiser Gneisenau, the school.
ship Both visits were returned by
Captain Sigsbce, who called upon Rear
Admiral Vincent Manterola at the adj
miralty office, and upon Vice Admiral
Pastor, after which he had prolonged
conference with Consul General Lee.
The consul general will return Captain
Sigsbee's visit this afternoon. He is ar
to Acting Captain General Parade.
The officers and sailors of the Maine
will not go ashore at present, in order
to avoid possible friction.
Captain Sigsbee has expressed himself
as much gratitied by the reception
rendered him, and the courtesy and CO.
diality shown.
The American newspaper correspond
ents will give a banquet to Captain
Sigsbee, Consul General Lee and num-
Der of Spanish officers.
1t is reported at the palace that Cen
eral Maxine Gomez has fallen back
across the Moran Jucaro trocha into
the Camaguey district.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-A telegram
from Consul General Lee received at
the state department was carried by AS
sistant Secretary Day over to the White
| House for the information of the presi-
dent. In this telegram Lee said that
the Maine had been received with every
courtesy. The commanders of the Ger
man and Spanish ships of war in the
harbor had called upon the commander
of the Maine, who had returned their
calls, the Spanish forts fired salutes and
all the ceremonies called for by naval
etiquette had been observed.
In addition the consul general stated
that everything was tranquil in Havana.
The department officials have heard
nothing officially of any trouble or mis-
understanding between Consul General
Lee and Secretary General Congosto
and attach little importance to the ru-
mors to that effect
1t is said at the navy department that
as matters stand there is no call for
further INSTRUCTIONS at present to Cap
tain Sigsbee, Who is permitted to use
his own discretion III dealing with the
events of the day, although he has been
enjoined to consult freely with Consul
General Lee, and was also infinitely in.
structed before he arrived at Havana
as to the wishes Of the secretary of the
navy.
Because the Maine's men must remain
under this close restriction, it is likely
that the ship will not be kept long il
Havana harbor, but that she will be re
placed in the course of few weeks by
one Of the cruisers, such as the Marble
head or the Montgomery. 1t is moi
deemed proper to venture one of the
heavy draft battleships, like the Iowa
or Indiana, into Havana harbor, save il
an emergency, because it would be {
needless exposure of the vessels to &C
cident.
The Spanish government has numer
Gus fleet in Cuban waters, but most o
the craft are small gunboats, used,fo
maintaining the blockade against fiji
busters. There are, however, sevel
cruisers.