Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-25
TO HAVANA HARBOR
The Warship Maine Has Been
Ordered to Sail,
NO HOSTILE MOTIVE.
Mckinley Has Contemplated the
Move Some Time.
Assistant Secretary Day States That the
Order Means Simply the Resump-
ton of Friendly Relations.
NO HOSTILE MOTIVE.

Washington, Jan. 24.-Within 4S
hours, for the first time since the insur-
rection broke out in Cuba, three years
ago. the United States government will
be represented in the harbor Of Havana
by warship.
The decision to send the U. S. S.
Maine was finally reached at a special
meeting at the White House this morn
ing, attended by the president, Secre-
tary Long, Attorney General McKenna,
Assistant Secretary Day and Gen.
Miles, and it 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 rad
teal action. 1t is not denied, however,
that some such move has been long in
contemplation, as is evidenced in the
following statement of Assistant Secre-
tary Day, made this afternoon:
1.-THE sending of the Maine to Havana
means simply the resumption of friend
~ relations with Spain. 1t 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
10 do it for some time, but heretofore
something has happened to postpone it,
The orders to the Maine mean nothing
more than l have said, and there is
nothing alarming nor unfrlendly IN
them. The Spanish minister here Is
fully Informed of what is going on, and,
so far as I know, has not made the
slightest objection to it.
Assistant Secretary Day said that
Consul General Lee had not sent for a
warship. This statement shows that
the move was made deliberately, ana
that it could not have been taken II
there were serious apprehensions OF It's
results in Havana.
The general belief here, however, is
that in Madrid, rather than in any Gu
ban town, is trouble to be looked Tor,
If there should be any nlisapprehenslon
of the purpose of our government ih
sending the Maine to Havana, Inc
temper of the opposition newspapers IN
the Spanish capital has been threaten
ing for some time, and it may require
the strong hand Of the news censor to
repress utterances that would lead 10
rioting Admiral Sicard's orders We're
not made public in their text at the
navy department, but it was stated uhat
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
Negotiations require all such orders to
go through the superior officer
There Is some, question whether the
telegram reached the admiral pefore ne
sailed with his squadron from hey
west for Tortugas harbor. The belief
Is that it did not, but this Will make
little difference in the program as the
telegram doubtless will be sent to the
admiral by one of the torpedo boats or
some other means of conveyance. The
details of the Names movements are be-
heved to be left to the arrangement OF
Admiral Sicard, but it is thought that
the ship, which put to sea with the
squadron, viii return to Key West be-
fore going to Havana
The German ships to which Assistant
Secretary Day referred in his statement,
are the Charlotte and the Geyer, pAh
training ships and not of formidable
type, though one sufficed to settle the
recent Haytian difficulties Their touch
ing at Havana is not believed to be sig
nifcant, as their cruise was arranged in
all details last September, and the same
ships are due at Charleston, ). C., early
in February next.
The commander of the Maine, Capt.
Sigsbee is a favorite in the navy de-
partment For four years he was chief
of the photographic Office, and by his
energy brought up the office 10 high
standard He was lucky to get so i'm
portant a ship as the Maine, consider
ing his actual rank, which is that of
commander but Immediately he justified
the departments Judgment in the selec-
ton, by running his ship straight into
dock in New York harbor to avoid run
ming down a packed excursion boat.
This was a display of quick judgment,
nerve and pluck that pleased the de-
partment so highly that the captain
was sent a complimentary letter. His
officers are also good lot, including
Lieutenant Commander Richard VAIN
right, Lieutenants G. f. Holman, John
Hood and c. W. Yur gen; Lieutenants
Junior grade) G. w. Blow, j. T. Blau-
din, E. w. jenkins; Cadets J. H. Hol-
den, w. T. Cluyerius, Ames Bronson
and D. F.. Boyd, Jr.; Surgeon L. G.
Heneberger, Paymaster c. w. Little
field, Chief Engineer C. P Howell,
Passed Assistant Engineer F. c. Bowers,
Assistant Engineers j. r. Morris and
d. r. Merritt. Cadet Engineers Pope
Washington and Arthur Crenshaw, Cap
tain j. F. Chadwick and Lieutenant of
Marines A. W. Catlin.
Senior Quesada, secretary of the Gu
ban junta, said: 1.-THE sending of the
Maine to Cuba. whatever may be the
official version, is, in our opinion, proof
tiidL III tilt lew spanish SI1OnSlOluS
anarchy reigns, and that American citi-
zens and property are unable to find
protection at the hands of the inapotent
Spanish government. 1t is a declara-
ton to the world that the United States
is not afraid Of the Spanish rabble
which seems to control the Spanish
officials
DISPATCHES BY THE DUPONT.
Key West, Fla, Jan. 24.-The torpedo
boat Dupont sailed at o'clock tonight
for Tortugas, with official dispatches
and mail for the squadron.
APPROVAL GENERAL.
Washington Jan. 24-There was graf
iflcation expressed over the order to the
Maine among members of the house
committee on foreign affairs, especially
by Messrs Smith, Heatwole and Parson.
Mr.. Smith said that it suited him in
every way.
Mr. Heatwole said 81 think it is en-
ineRtly proper that United States war
ship should be at Havana"
Mr.. Pearson said: THAT is right /
hope other ships win follow, so that no
harm may come to American citizens"
Chairman Boutelle of the house COM
mittee on naval affairs, said that if the
Maine had gone to Havana, it was an
entirely natural movement The send
ing Of our ships to the ports of the
world Implied no offense. THAT Is what