The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-16

Washington, December 13. h
Brooklyn. Texas, Castine and Resolute
have been ordered to Havana.
While there is not the faintest de-
sire to convey a threat in the dispatch
of these warships to Havana, 1t may
be noted that when they lie within the
harbor, they will hold the town in per-
feet subsection. 1t is surmised that
he suggestion came from Admiral
Sampson, who is now in one of the
suburbs of Havana. as a result of the
unfortunate eruption Sunday night at
the Hotel Inglaterra. At any rate the
event brought the authorities to a sud
den realization of the exact state of
affairs in Havana, and the imminent
danger of another such outbreak,
which, perhaps might run into the
proportions of a riot and cost many in
nocent lives. With only a small force
of American soldiers in Havana prov
ince and those removed at such a dis
lance from the city as to make 1t olf-
ficult of access in time to be or service
to the American element in the Guy,
now swollen to large proportions by
the advent of nan hundred
cial men and others seeking OppOrtunI-
ties for employment, the necessity for
some protection was apparent. 10 In
crease the lumber of soldiers materl-
ally Is not easy, in view OF the dl1rl-
Guilty of transporting them, as well dS
providing for them when they reach
Cuba, but the navy's motto is now
always ready" and it was decided 10
hasten the ships named to Havana
to form a formidable bulwark agalnst
any a~narchistic outbreaks that might
occur before the completion or the
American occupation Of the city.
The Texas is a full fedged armor-
clad and might stand a good oeai OIL
pounding, even from the heaviest Tor
tifcations. The Brooklyn with her pro-
tective system can be rated as even
better than the New York, of the same
tvDe. The Castine is an ett1clent,
though small gunboat and the Reso-
lutte is a transformed
with a battery large enough TO MAKE
her formidable.
GENERAL BROOKE THE MILITIA
RY GOVERNOR OF CUBA.
It was formally announced today
that the president had designated
Major General Brooke to be the mill
tary governor of the island OF CUBA
The new post carries with it all the
L V IC
branches of the island formerly exer-
cised by the captain general u
the Spanish regime. General BROOKE
arrived in this city today from Fort
Monroe. Each of the provinces Will
have a military governor, but Generai
Brooke will be in supreme mi
OF the island.
Tn answer to O question as to when
he Intended to assume his new duties.
General Brooke replied that ne wouiu
proceed to Havana and lake cIdtse
inst as soon as he could organize MS
staff and forces. Such disturbances rs
occurred in Havan night before iast'
it is believed, may be expected to re-
occur there and to happen in some OF
the other Cuban cities and towns. Ana,
as the United States is pledged TO re-
! store the reign Of law and order IN
Cuba General Brooke will be under the
necessity of providing an elaborate
system of administrative machinery IN
order to hold the disorderly elements
in check and secure a proper appli>
cation of the laws.
General Ludlow, the governor or tia-
vana, is already giving his attention
to the organization of a
force to take the place OF the oroen
publico and garde civile the spanish
police forces which maintained oroer
TT towns and country. The repatrla-
tion Of these forces recently has LETT
this country and particularly the CITY
of Havana exposed to an epidemic OF
crime. ~
h navy department has taken
steps towards possessing itself OF the
navy yard at Havana, and orders just
issued assign Commodore b. j. NIoni-
well. now a member of the examlninE
board. to duty as commandant OF the
new naval station there, ana Cnlel
Engineer G.. p. Howell and Lieutenant
T II. Glennon and Pay Master ).
Smith and Surgeon J.. D. Gatewood 10
duty at the same station.
The navy department has just learn
ed that the Spanish government is
about to sell the splendid floating ory
dock. which was brought to Havana
from England lust before the war, at
a cost of $3.50, 900.
Admiral Sampson. the naval repre-
sentative on the EVACUATION coinHlS-
sion, made IL determined struggle 10
have the dock passed to the United
States with other property of a per-
manent chara ter, but be was over
ruled by his colleagues OIL the comm!s-
sion. Generals Wade and Butter, VINO
accepted the Spanish contention that
the dock should be regarded as a snip
and not as stable property. The dock
is to be sold, therefore, by the span
ish officials next Friday. There are
signs that private parties are prepar-
ing to bid for it. The navy department
~contemplates with the greatest veXa-
ton the prospective loss of this spien-
did structure, as a dry dock OF large
proportions will be an almost necessl-
ty ia Havana so long as the Ameri-
can navy is to be maintained in those
waters. 1t is possible that the atten,
ton of congress having been attracted
to the subject, an attempt may be
made to purchase the dock on the part
of the United States or rather on &C
count Of the government or tuna tnat
shall eventually be established.
SECRETARY BLISS TO RESIGN.
1t is very probable that Secretary
Bliss will tender his resignation within
a short time to the president. He has
had the step under consideration toI
some time, deeming 1T necessary tna'
he should be free to devot more time
to his large business interests. His res
ignation, it can be stated, will not be
due in the least to any differences with