Evening journal., 1898-01-25
UNCLE SAM SPEAKS.
Battleship Maine Now Ordered
to Sail to Havana.
SAID TO Be ONLY A FRIENDLY VISIT.
Secretary of the Junta Claims, However,
rhat 1t Means Anarchy Is Rampant
In Cuba and That American
Citizens Need Protection.

CttiHena Need frotectlons
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-within "a
hburs. for the first time since the In
Airrection broke out in Cuba three
Years ago the United States govern
fnent will be represented in the har-
Dor OF Havana by a warship. The de-
cision TO send the United states bat
tleship Maine was finally reached at a
special meeting at the White House
yesterday between the president, Sec
retary Long. Attorney General Mcken-
ma. Assistant Secretary Day and Gem
eral Miles, and Il Is a striking fact that
with the exception of the secretary OF
the navy and the attorney general not
a member of the cabinet knew of the
presidents intention TO take this radi-
cal action. II Is not denied, however,
that some such move has been long in
contemplation, as Is evidenced in the
following statement OF Assistant Sec
retary Day, made in the afternoon;
1.-THE sending Of the Maine 20 Ha-
vana means simply the resumption OF
friendly naval relations with Spain. IL
is customary for naval vessels OF a
friendly nation TO pass in and out OF
the harbors OF other countries with
which they are at peace, and British
and German warships have recently
visited Havana This Is no new move.
The president has intended TO do It for
some time, but heretofore something
has happened TO postpone II.
"The orders to the Maine mean moth
ing more than / have said, and there is
nothing alarming or unfriendly In
them. The Spanish minister here is full
ly informed Of what Is going on and
so far as / know has not made the
slightest objection to IT,"
Assistant Secretary Day said also
that Consul General Lee had not sent
Tor q warship.
Admiral slcards orders were not
made public I'm their text at the navy
department. but it was stated that the
substance OF them was contained in the
statement made by Secretary Long. The
orders were not sent directly to the
Maine for the reason that she Is now
attached TO the squadron, and the naval
regulations require all such orders to
go through the superior officer. There
is some question whether the telegram
reached the admiral before he sailed
with his squadron from Key West for
Tortugas harbor The belief is that II
did not. but this viii make little differ
ence in the programme inasmuch as
the telegram doubtless will be sent to
the admiral by one OF the torpedo boats
or by some other means Of conveyance.
The details of the Names movements
are believed 10 be left for the arrange
ment Of Admiral Sicard but IL is
thought that the ship. which put to sea
with the squadron, viii return to Key
West before going to Havana.
Senior Quesada, secretary Of the Gu
ban iunta, and Senior Albertini OF the
Cuban stan in Washington were about
the capitol yesterday eonferring with
members concerning the Cuban status.
Mr.. Quesada said:
The sending OF the Maine to Cuba,
whateverFbe the official version, is. in
our opinion. proof that things are in
such condition In the few Spanish
strongholds that anarchy reigns and
that American citizens and property.
unable to find protection at the hands
of the impotent Spanish government,
have now the protection of their own
vessels. IL IS n declaration TO the world
that the United states Is not afraid of
the Spanish rabble which seems to con-
troll the Spanish officials.
"The attitude OF the Spanish papers
and officials has been that the presence
of an American waNhip in Havana
means Intervention. Undoubtedly they
win now say that IL is the most natural
thing for any nation 70 send its vessels
70 the ports Of n friendly power, and Mr.
DO LONE will declare that his govern
ment is delighted. But we shall soon
hear from General Weyier's subordi.
mates in cuba and from spain-that is
II the cannons of the Maine do not bring
70 the Spanish minds the conviction
that prudence in this case is the better
part of valor."
Senior Albertini says the sending OF
the Maine will Justify Itself by futur,
events. From his acquaintance viii
Spanish methods, he says there is great
er room for apprehension than has ye
been shown, and he declares that az
soon as Spain finds that Cuba is lost
carnival Of slaughter win be inaugural
ed with the guns Of Moro castle ant
the Cabanas trained on the city Of Ia
vana.