The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-17
NEW ELEMENT OF TROUBLE.
Spain Makes Inquiries About Location of
Our War ships and Purchase of More.

our W ar Sn1pS ana Fufcnae0 OF MI
washington, March l6.-The war pre-
parations 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 govern
ment and the views of the Spanish cabinet
there have been conveyed to the state de-
partment.
This has not taken the form of pro-
test, however, Us it does not appear that
the Spanish government claim or assert
the right to question such interna
measures as the United States may adopt,
even though they be of q character to in
dictate preparations for war.
1t is rather by way of representations,
conveyed in friendly spirit and with
out threat, as to the serious influences
which those preparations will have in en-
couraging the Cuban insurgents at the
moment when the autonomy plan is to
have its crucial trial through the Cuban
elections, and in this way defeat the re-
forms Premier Sagasta is seeking to car
ry out.
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence of large fleet of United
States warships at Key West cannot be
regarded as Il friendly measure as the
sending of ships was officially represent
ed to be when the Maine went to Havana
and the Vizcaya returned the compliment
tary visit. s's
In short the presence Of this extensive
fleet near Cuba, together with the war
measure taken by the United States, is
regarded by Spain as seriously prejudical
to the policy OF autonomy, which Spain
and the United States have alike ap-
the insurgents in defeating the desires
of both governments for the success of
that policy.
Finally, and in the same spirit of
friendly representation, rather than of
protest, Spain has pointed out that war
by the United States against Spain I'M
der such circumstances would be unjusti-
fable before the world and against hui
mainly and civilization.
The demonstrations contained no refer
ence whatever to the Maine.disaster or to
redress or indemnity therefor.
The published emi-o official statement of
the Spanish cabinets view as to the re-
sponsibility of the United States in the
Cuban situation has created q profound
impression.
Officials decline to discuss it publicly,
but there is asgeneral belief among them
that tho publication marks the Begin
ming of q new chapter of the troubled
relations between the United States and
Spain.
The believed tosbessasfrst
step towards forming public opinion in
e Europe in anticipation of aLfailnreion the
part of the Spanish officials to make n
success of the autonomous programme
which it had outlined and that an at
tempt is to be made to placestheir esponsi-
bility upon the United States.for any
failure that may follow.
This movement s.regarded2 as adding
much to the gravity of the present. situ-
alton.
That the administration twill be- infu-
enced by the suggestion that the presence
of the fleet of the North Atlantic squad
ron at Key West, is a disturbing factor
is not believed for moment.
Visible evidence Of that discrimination
was ceaseless activity Of the naval offic-
ials as we'll rs the steady prosecution of
the plans of the war department today.
Although the secretary OF the navy Is
still pursuing with more vigor his quest
for suitable war ships that may be pur-
chased in Europe beyond the two already
secured at the Armstrong; works. no
further acquisitions have been made.
Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio, in the House
this afternoon, denied enphatically that
the President desired Congress to adjourn
in the immediate future. The sugges-
ton that the President has fixed date
for ADJOURNMENT, or wishes date, said
he, is absolutely without foundation and
it is ridiculous.