The age-herald., 1898-03-06
CLASH WITH THE
 QUARAN TINE LAWS Florida Will Enforce ReguIa-
 tions April 1. INTERFERE WITH WARSHIPS Now Plying Between Key West and
 Havana. ON ACCOUNT OF MAINE DISASTER Report of Purchase of Vessels by
 Spain Causes Stir. UNCLE SAM LOOKING ABOUT FOR SHIPS Navy Department Can, in Emergency, Purchase Warships Without Act of Congress Many Offers Receiv-
 ed Offering to Sell Crafts.
Report of Purchase of Vessels by
 Spain Causes Stir.


Washington, March 5.-There is promise of a new and unwelcorne development of the Maine affair which in the end may lead up to an issue between the govern ment of the United States and the state of Florida, if the officials of the state en- dorse the stand taken by the local officials at Key West
 The latter have notified Admiral Sicard that on the first of next month they pro- pose to enforce the state quarantine law against all craft arriving from Cuba as a measure of prevention against the intro duction of yellow fever. The notice indi- cates that the law will be applied to naval vessels and in view of the serious interrup tions such interference with the free move- ment of ships would cause, Admiral Scard has reported the facts to the navy depart ment and awaits instructions.
 An Abatement of Law
 The department officials cannot tolerate with equanimity the stoppag'e of such craft as the Mangrove and the Fern, on their errands of mercy, nor delays that may result-in the prosecution of the work of the wrecl1euss engaged on the Maine's hull and in the work of the court of inquiry.
 The president himself will probably com- municate with the governor of Florida with a view of securing an abatement of the ldiW so IdT lu IS pTOpoSSu lO dpply u U lilc naval vessels, this being the speediest method of dealing with the case, although it may be stated that the national govern- nent never has recognized the right of any local authorities to stop its vessels in case their movement was deemed unnecessary. The warships have voluntarily submitted to quarantine when returning from any port suspected of infection, but this is as serted to be merely concession and not the recognition of any lawful right on the part of the state authorities
 In view of the fact uhat the officers on our war vessels, with the aid of capable surgeons on each ship make 1t their prac- tice to keep the craft in the most health ful condition, naval officials feel that they may be safely left to run their ships be- tween Havana and Key West without re- striction As an evidence of the care ex- ercised to avoid carrying contason the of- ficials point to the fact without suggesuon of any health authorities Of Florida that Admiral Scard caused the wounded sur viors of the Maine disaster to be detained for several days at Tortugas before aiiow- ing them to go to Key west.
 No Change in Plans
 It Is asserted positively at the state de- partment that there has been no cnahse in the plans for the sending or hte Mont- gomery and the Nashville to eastern Cu- ban ports with relief supplies TOT the re. concentrados. It had been suggested that fhe offer of merchant steamer from New York to take these goods to Cuba would relieve the naval vessels from perrormance of this onerous task, but the declaration from the state department ensures the ex- ecution of the original programme ana the ships named will sail for Matanzas and Sagua la Grande as soon as the goods arrive at Key West from New York.
 Reports that have come to the state de- partment from these places show terrible restitution exists, probably nowhere ex- ceeded on the island, and the officers or the Montgomery saw for themselves on their recent stop at Matanzas the extent of the misery. It is said by some of the . correspondents of these ofhcers that they all returned penniess from their Cuban cruise, having been so moved by what they saw that they gave away all or their ready cash.
 1t was decided this afternoon to abandon the projected order to the flagship Olympia to return to San Francisco from Hong Kong. Without this fine ship the As iatic squadron would be made up of gum boats and unprotected cruisers without any great degree of defensive ana no or fensive force against armored ships. The cruiser Baltimore, now at Honolulu, mas been selected to take the powder, to be brought to that port by the Mohican, further along to Hong Kong for the ves- sells of the Asiatic squadron. Whether or not the ship would be attached to the squadron permanently has not yet been determin led.
 Window for Key West
 The torpedo boat Winslow. which has been under repair at Norfolk navy yard, sailed today for Key West to join the fiotilla.
 The continued reports that Spain is buy ing 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 con frmed as steps of this character neces- sarily would be guarded with the greatest secrecy. There Is little doubt, however, that fhe department is informing Itself fully as to the opportunities for purchases should the necessity for more ships arise. Thus liar there have been no negotiations for ships and no options asked on particular ships. Quite a number of offers of ships have been submitted to Secretary Long by ship building concerns in this country and