The herald., 1898-01-25
Towards Intervention in
Cuban Affairs
THE MAINE SENT TO HAVANA
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW
POLICY
A Statement Is Made That the Action
Means Resumption of Friendly
Naval Relations
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
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
United States ship Maine was finally
reached at special meeting at the White
House this morning between the presi-
dent, Secretary Long, Assistant Secre-
tary Day, Attorney General McKenna
and Gen. Miles, and it is a striking fact
that, with the exception of the secretary
of the navy and the attorney general, not
member of the cabinet knew of the
presidents intention to take this radical
action.
1t is not denied, however, that such a
/ move has long been in contemplation, as
is evidenced in the following statement
of Assistant Secretary Day, made this
afternoon:
1.-THE sending of the Maine to Havana
means simply the resumption of friendly
naval relations with Spain. 1t is custom
airy for naval vessels of friendly nations
| 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 some-
thing has happened to postpone it, The
orders to the Maine mean nothing more
than I have said, and there is nothing
alarming or unfrendly in them. The
| Spanish minister here is fully informed
of what is going on, and, so far as know,
| has not made the slightest objection to
| it."
| Further, Assistant Secretary Day said
that Consul General Lee had not sent
for a warship. This statement shows
| that the move was made deliberately
and that it would not have been taken if
there were serious apprehension 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 for, If
there should be any Misrepresentation of
the purpose of our government in send
| ing the Maine to Havana. The temper
of the opposition newspapers in the
| Spanish capital has been threatening for
some time, and it may require the strong
| hand Of the news censor to repress ut
| terances that would lead to rioting.
| Admiral Sicard's orders were not made
| public in their text at the navy depart
ment, but it was stated that the SUBJ
stance 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 at
tached 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 it did not, and this will make lit
tie difference in the program, inasmuch
as the telegram will be sent to the ad-
miral by one of the torpedo boats or by
some other means of conveyance The
details of the Names movements are
believed to be left for the arrangement
of Admiral Sicard, but it is thought
that the ship, which put to sea with
the squadron, will return to Key West
before going to Havana.
The German ships to which Assistant
Secretary Day referred in his statement
are the Charlotte and the Geyer, both
training ships and not of formidable
type, though one sufficed to settle hastily
the recent Hayten difficulty. Their
touching at Havana is not believed to
be significant, as their cruise was ar
ranged in all details last September, and
the same ships are due at Charleston,
s. c., early in February next.
The commander of the Maine, Capt.
Sigsbee, is favorite in the navy depart
ment. For four years he was chief of
the photographic office, and by his en-
ergy brought the Office to high stand
ard. He was lucky to get so important
a ship as the Maine, considering his
actual rank, which is that of command
er, but Immediately he justified the de-
partment's judgment in the selection by
running his ship straight into a dock in
New York harbor, in order to avoid run
ming down packed excursion boat. This
was display of quick judgment. nerve