The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-06
A NEW COMPLICATION.
Attempts to Enforce Quarantine on
Naval Vcosols--Purchase of Ships.

WASHINGTON, j. c.. March 5-There
is a promise o. "a new and unwelcome de-
velopment of the Maine affair that in the
end may lead up to an issue between the
government of the United states and the
state OF Florida if tine officials OF the
State endorse the stand taken Dy the
local officials at Key West The latter
have notified Admiral Sicard that ON the
first of next month they propose TO en-
force the State quarantine law against all
craft arriving from Cuba as measure
of prevention against the introduction OF
yellow fever. This indicates that the law
will be APPLIED 10 the naval vessels, and
in view of the serious interruptions such
interference with the free movements oil
warships would cause Admiral Sicard has
reported the facts TO the Navy Depart
ment and awaits instructions.
The department officials cannot tolerate
with eQuanimitv the stOppage OF such
craft as the Mangrove and Fern on their
errands OF mercy nor delays that may re-
suit In the prosecution OF the work oi
the wreckers engaged on the Names hull
and in the work Of the Court Of inquiry
RIGHT NOT RECOGNIZED.
The President himself probably viii
communicate with the Governor of Flo
rida with a view 10 securing an abate-
ment of the law so far as it is possible
10 apply it 10 naval vessels, this being
the speediest manner of dealing with the
case. although IL may be stated that the
Navy Department never has recognized
the right OF any local authorities TO stop
its vessels i'm case their movements were
deemed necessary.
The warships have voluntarily submit
ted 10 quarantine when entering from
any port suspected Of infection, but THIS
IS asserted TO be merely concession and
not the recognition of any lawful right
of the State authorities.
In view of the fact that officers on our
warships with the aid Of capable sur
geons on each ship. make IL their pride
10 keep their craft I'm the most health
fl condition. naval officers feel that
they NAV be- safely left TO run their ships
between Havana and Key West without
restriction. AS an evidence Of the care
exercised to avoid carrying contagon,
the officials point 70 ;he fact that without
suggestion from any of the health au-
thOrities of Florida. Admiral Sicard
caused the wounded survivors OF the
Maine disaster TO be detained for seve-
raj days at Tortugas before allowing
them TO 90 10 Key West.
IL Is asserted positively at the State
Department that there has been no
change I'm the plans for the sending Of
the Montgomery and Nashville TO east
ern Cuba ports with relief supplies Tor
ths reconcentradoes. IL had been sug-
rested that the offer OF a merchant
steamer from New York TO take some OF
these goods 10 Cuba would relieve the
naval vessels from the performance Of
This oncrous task but tho declaration
from the state Department ensures the
execution OF the original proposition and
the ships named will sail for Matanzas
and sagua la Grande as soon as the
goods arrive at Key West from New
York.
GAVE ALL THEY HAD.
Reports that have come TO the State De-
partment from these places show that
terrible destltution exists, particularly in
this part of the Island Of Cuba II is said
by some of the correspondents that the
officers Of the Montgomery all returned
penniless from their cuban cruise. having
been 20 moved by what they saw that
they gave away all Of their ready cash.
AZ was decided this afternoon to aban-
don the projected order 10 the flagship
olympia to return to San Francisco from
Hong Kong without this fine ship the
Aslastlc squadron would bo made up OF
gunboats and unprotected cruisers, with
out any great degree OF defensive aud
10 offensive force against armOrcd ships
The cruiser Baltimore, now at Honolulu,
has been selected 10 take the powder
fn be brought 20 that port b. the Mohi-
can further along 10 Hong Kong for tho
vessels OF the Asiastic squadron Whether
or not the ship will be attached 10 the
s1uadrou permanently has not yet been