Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-17

y
Gates the Present Situation-The
Administration Answers the
Yelled Protest by Making More
Rapid Preparations and Adding
Strength at All Weak Points.
Washington, ID. c.. March 16.-The
published semi-officiaI statement Of
the Spanish Cabinets view as to the
responsibility Of the United States in
the Cuban situation, has created pro
found impression. Officials decline to
discuss it publicly, but there is a gem
eral belief among them that the pub
LEGATION marks the beginning Of a new
chapter in the troubled relations be-
tween the United States and Spain.
The statement is believed to be first
step towards forming public opinion
in Europe in anticipation OF a failure
on the part OF the Spanish officials to
make q success of the autonomous
programme, which it had outlined,
and that an attempt is to be made to
place the responsibility upon the
United States for any failure that may
follow. This movement is regarded
as adding much to the gravity Of the
present situation. That the admins
tration will be Influenced by the sug-
gestion that the presence Of the fleet
of the North Atlantic squadron at Key
West is disturbing factor is not be-
lieved for moment. Visible evidence
of that determination was the cease
less activity Of the naval officials as
well as the steady prosecution of the
plans of the war department to-day.
Washington, d. c., March 16.-The
war preparations being made by the
United States, the assembling Of ships
at Key West, the purchase of cruisers
abroad, and the emergency measures
in the war and navy departments,
have come to the official attention Of
the Spanish government, and the
views Of the Spanish Cabinet thereon
have been communicated To the State
Department here.
This has not taken the form Of pro-
test, however, as it does not appear
that the Spanish government claim or
assert the right to question such inter
nal measures as thesJnlted States may
adopt, even though they are of a char
acter to indicate preparations for WAL
1t is rather by way Of representations,
conveyed in a friendly spirit and with
out threat, as to the serious IN
fuences which these preparations will
have in encouraging the insurgents at
the moment when the autonomy plan
is to have its crucial trial through the
Cuban elections, and in this way defeat
the reforms Premier Sagasta is
SEEKING TO CARRY OUT.
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence Of a large fleet Of United
States warships at Key West cannot
be regarded as a friendly measure, as
the sending of which was officially
to be when the Maine went
to Havana and the ViZcaya returned
the complimentary visit In short, the
presence of this extensive fleet near
Cuba. together with the war measures
taken by the United States, are re-
garded by Spain as seriously preJudlclal
to the policy of autonomy which Spain
and the United States have alike APP
moved. and the indirect encouragement
TO the insurgents in defeating the de-
sires of both governments for the sue
cess of that policy. Finally and IN
the same spirit Of friendly representa-
ton rather than of protest, Spain mas
pointed out that a war by the Unlted
states against Spain under such cir
cumstances would be unjustiiiable be-
fore the world and a crime against hu-
manity and civilization. The repre-
sensations contained no reference what
ever to the Maine or to redress the IN
demnity therefor.
Meanwhile it appears that there Is
a much larger stock Of
VESSELS RIGHT AT HOME,
available for naval use than was gen
orally supposed. Many of them VIII
make very efficient cruisers and gun
boats almost equal to vessels OF the
unprotected cruiser type now IN the
navy. Such vessel is the yacht May
flower. acquired to-day, She can be
transformed easily owing TO her
staunch construction, into good dis
patch boat or a small cruiser about
canal to the Castine class, although
lacking the protective deck OF the lat
ter.
A brief telegram from Admiral
Sicard announced the arrival at key
West of the Mangrove with the court
of inquiry aboard. All the officials at
the department profess the deepest
ignorance as to the plans Of the board
and particularly as to whether or Iot
II will return to Havana.
Surgeon General Van Reypen, OF
the navy. returned to-day from New
mort News. where he went to examine
into the practicability OF converting
the Plant Line steamer Grand Duchess
info an ambulance of hospital ship for
use of the navy in the event OF hostlll-
ties with Spain SO far as the ac-
Communications are concerned, the yes
sci after some necessary work. would
make an admirable ambulance snip,
bnt the lack OF boilers, which 1t would
take several months to replace. limits
her adaptability for use at the present
time.
THERE IS NO ROOM
hoard the ordinary battleship, SAYS
Zen. Van Raypen, for an accumula-
ion of wounded men because OF the
=; which thev arc emf ND into