The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-17

Washington, March 16.-The main
development in the Spanish situation
to-day was in connection with the def
mite representations submitted by the
Spanish government To the state de-
partment concerning the assembling of
a large fleet of American warships at
Key West, the war preparations and
the influence which these might have
on the approaching elections in Cuba.
These representations were exactly in
line with the semi official utterance
given in these dispatches last night,
and accredited to a high official con-
versant with the views of the Spanish
cabinet. While these representations
cannot properly be regarded as a pro-
test against the attitude and acts of
the United States government, they
may unquestionably be set down as
remonstrance calculated to have an
effect in European circles. Not how
ever being technical protest, the st.te-
ment has not called forth any official
rejoinder on the part of the state de-
partment, for Ii is held its tangible
accusations are rather an argumentative
presentation of alleged Spanish griev-
ances.
The Fern sailed for Havana from
Key West this afternoon. She goes to
relieve the Montgomery as a home for
the officers engaged in supervising the
wrecEing operations in Havana harbor.
It is stated unequivocally that the
Montgomery is not withdrawn owing
| to any suggestion from Spanish
sources that her presence is not desired.
1t was the announced intention of Sec
! retary Long, when the cruiser was sent
| to Havana, to keep her there only so
| long as the Fern should be engaged in
the work of distributing relief among
! the sufferers in Eastern Cuba. This task
! having been performed and owing to
/ the return of the court of inquiry from
Havana there being fewer persons TO
accommodate the Fern, which is better
equipped than the Montgomery to as
sist in the wrecking work, Is returned
| to her position.
Up to the close of office hours, the
navy department, though it knew off,
cially that the court of inquiry had
| come over to Key West from Havana,
| plans of the court.
1t is said that the object of the navy
| department in purchasing such craft
as the late Ogden Goelets yacht, May
flower, is to provide as quickly as pos
sible a number of picket boats of good
speed and seagoing ability to act as
! scouts. and also TO aid our ironclads
~
tions against torpedo boats. A large
number of private yachts have been
offered to the navy department, and
other acquisitions of the same type as
the Mayfiower may be expected
The fleet at Key West will be aug
mented in the next day or two by the
arrival of the gunboat Annapolis, the
torpedo boat Foote and the naval tugs
Leyden and Samosset, while the gun
boat Helena is now on her way from
the European station under orders tc
report at Key West. The Helena re-
ported her arrival to-day at Funchal
on her way to join the fleet. These
with the other vessels previously or,
dered to Key West, constitute tbs
largest assemblage of war vessel!
made since the demonstration follow
ing the Virginius affair. and consider
ing their effectiveness and armament
ii is the strongest assemhlage of war
ships for review and other purpose;
since the war.
| Secretary Alger has made requis
tions on the president for two larg,
allotments from the appropriation o
$50 600 900 for the national defense. on
is for s.. .000. 900 for the engineer depart
ment of the army in the completion o
certain fortifications works along th
| Atlantic and Gulf coasts now in prog
ress. and the other is for 81, ,225.o00 70
the use of the ordnance department o
the army in the requirement of arm
and ammunition. Pretty much all o
this money is needed to cover contract
already made by the military estab
lishment.