The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-03-08
FOOD BY THE CRUISERS
PLAN UNCHANGED FOR MONT
GOMERY AND NASHVILLE.
OFFER OF A MERCHANT VESSEL REFUSED
Torpedo Boat WinsIow Sails to Join tlotilla-'
Arrangements Suggested for Purchasing
War-Ships if Necessary--The Horg
Kong Fleet Looked After.

Washington, ID. e., March J.-lncrt Is
nrotnise of a new and unwelcome devel-
orrmcnt of the Maine affair that III the
end may lead up To an issue between
the government of the United States
and the State of Florida, if the officials
of the State endorse The stand taken ny
the local officials At Key West. The lat
ter have notified Admiral Sicard that on
the first Of next month they propose to
enforce the State quarantine law against
all craft arriving from Cuba, as Il
measure of prevention against the intro
duction of yellow fever. The notice in
Dictates that the law will will be applied
To the Naval vessels. and III view OF the
serious Interruptions such interference
with the free. movements OF his snip
would cause, Admiral Sicard has repor-
ted the facts to the Navy Department
and awaits instructions. The depart
lnent officials cannot tolerate with equa-
nimity the ppa of such craft as the
Nangroyes and the Fern, on their err
randS Of mercy, nor delays that may re-
suit in the prosecution in the work OF
the WrcckerS engaged on the Name
hull and in the work Of the Court OF
Inquiry. The President himself probably
will communicate with the governor of
Florida with n view TO securing an abate-
ment Of the law 50 far as it is pro-
posed to apply it to Naval vessels. TINS
being the Speediest manner Of dealing
with the case, although it may be stated
that the national government never has
recognized the right of any local author
tiles to stop its vessels III case their
movements were deemed necessary.
The war ships have voluntarily submit
ted TO quarantine when returning from
any port suspected Of Infection, but this
is asserted to be merely Il concession
and not rhe recognition OF any lawful
right on the part of State authorities. In
view OF the fact THAT the officers OF ou1
war ships. with the aid Of capable sur
@eons on each ship. make 1t their pride
to keep their craft in the most healthful
condition. Naval officers feel that they
may be safely left to run their ships be
tween Havana and Key West without
restriction. AS an evidence of the care
exercised to avoid carrying ~contagion
the officials point to the fact that with
out suggestions from any Of the health
authorities Of Florida Admiral Sicard
caused the wounded survivors of the
Maine disaster to be detained for several
days ut TOrtugas before allowing them
to go to Key West.
IL Is JSScTtCN. IJoSItIht1N at Iit Stdte
Department that there has been no
change in the plans for the sending Of
the Montgomery and the Nashville To
Eastern Cuba ports with relief supplies
for the recOnccntrad0e>. 1t had been
suggested that the offer of a merchant
steamer from New York to take these
goods TO Cuba would relieve the Naval
vessels from the performance of this
onerous task, but the declaration from
the State Department ensures the eXecu-
ton of the original program and the
ships named will sail for Matanzas and
Sagua La Grande as soon $ the goods
arrive at Key West from New York. Re
ports that have come to the State De
partment from these places show that
terrible dcstitutiOn exists. probably no.
where exceeded on the island, and the
officers Of the Montgomery saw for them
selves on their recent stop at MatanzaS
the extent OF the misery. 1t is said by
some Of the correspondents of these
officers that they all returned pennilesS
from their Cuban cruise. having been
50 moved by what they saw that they
gave away all Of their ready cash.
1t was decided this afternoon to aban-
don the projected order to the flagship
Olympia TO return to San Francisco
from Hong Kong. Without this fine
81 l 'A'~'A vi hotitl ~
made up Of gun boats and unprotected
cruisers, without any great degree OF
extensive and no offensive force against
armortI ships. The cruiser Baltimore.
now at Honolulu, has been selected to
Cake the powder, TO be brought to that
port by the Mohican. further along to
Hong Kong for the vessels of the
AsiaStic squadron. Whether or not the
ship will be attached 10 the squadron
permanently has not Vet been detcrm-
incd.
The torpedo boat Winslow. which has
been under repair ut the Norfolk Navy
ward. sailed to-day for Key West to Join
tn" tlOtilla.
The continued reports that Spain is
buying new ships led to counter reports
that the Naval authorities here were
considering similar purchases. In no
official quarter at the Navy Department
could this be confirmed. as steps Of this
character necessarily would be guarded
with the greatest secrecy. There is lit
Il" doubt however. that the department
Is informing itself fully as to the oppor-
tahltlcS Tor purchases should the neceS-
SHY for more ships arise. Thus far
fhert have been no negotiations for ships
ana no options asked on particular ehiDs
Quite 4 number Of offers of ships have
h"th submitted 10 Secretary Long bv
~~mp-buldlng concerns in this country
and abroad. These have been docketed
and filed but beyond an acknowledged
ment Of the offers no steps toward mr.
chase have been taken.
Under ordinary circumstances the
Navy department would require author
MY from Congress to purchase war
SHIPS. There Is no law which permits a
larger exercise of authority i'm Times or
emergency than at other times. II i
understood. however, that the Naval an
thorlties feel that such emergency meas
frcS as might be required would have
Ihc subsequent approval of Congress. A
precedent is cited as To THE purchase of
Il Naval SeSsel in Il time of emergency
without the assent of Congress. While