Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-01-29
The NAMES MISSION.
How the Dispatch of the Battle
ship to Havana is Interpreted.
Simply q Resumption of Friendly naval
Relations with spain-Tho Spanish
Ministry Fully Informed OF
Our Intentions.

WAsglyeroy. Jan. Within24
hours for the first time since the In
surrection broke out in Cuba three
years ago. the United States govern
ment will be represented in the harbor |
of Havana by u war ship. The deci-
sion to send the United States steamer
Maine was finally reached at special
meeting at the White House yesterday
morning, between the president, Sec
retary Long. Assistant Secretary Day,
Acknowledgement Mckenna aud Gen.
Miles, and it is 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 radl-
cal action. It's not denied, however. that
some such move has been long in con.
templation,,a Jas is evidenced in the fol-
lowing statement of Assistant Secre-
tary Day, made yesterday afternoon:
THE sending of the Maine to Ha-
vana means simply the resumption oil
friendly naval relations with SPAN.
1t is customary for naval vessels OF
friendly nations to pass in and out OF
lharbors OF other countries with which
thev are ut peace, and British and Ger
man war ships have recently visited
Havana. This is no new move. The
president has intended to do it for
some time, but heretofore something
ha. happened to postpone it. The Or
ders to the Maine mean nothing more
than have said. and there is nothing
alarming or unfricndly in them. The
Spanish minister here is fully informed
of what is going on, and, SO far as l
know, has not made the slightest OBJ
lection to to it,
, Further, Assistant Secretary Day
saws that Consul General Lee has not
I sent for q war ship.
: This statement shows that the move
/ ment was made deliberately, and thai
it could not have been taken il there
r were serious apprehensions OF its re
suits in Havana
II The general belief here, however, il
that in Madrid, rather than in any
n Cuban town, is trouble to be looked
for, If there should be any misappre
s hension of the purpose of our govern
ment in sending the Maine to Havana
n The temper of the newspapers IN tn
,e Spanish capital has been threatening
;, for some time, and it may require tn
g strong hand Of the news censor to re
press utterancea that would lead I
l. rioting.
4 Admiral -Sicard's orders were nc
\. made public in their text at the nav
S. department, but 1t was stated that tn
substance OF them was contained
the statement made by Secretary Lont
Sc The orders were not sent directly
ne the Maine, for the reason that she
70 ro now attached to the squadron, and I'll
or naval regulations require all sue
rrSy orders to go through the superi'
officer. There is some questlc
VS. whether the telegram reach'
the admiral before he sa'lt
tn with his squadron from Key West fl
re- Tortugas harbor. The belief is that
did not, but this will make little d
m ference in the programme, inasmut
!, as the telegram doubtless will be sci
wv wv to the admiral by one OF the torpe'
lth boats, or by some other means OF co
M. veyance. The details OF the Maine
OF movement are believed to be left
me ne the arrangement Of Admiral Sicar
crs but it is thought that the ship, whit
ei- put to sea with the squadron, will
turn to Key West before going to ID
in vana.
ee ,ea The German ships, to which ASST
On ant Secretary Day referred in his sta
,dc ment, are the Charlotte and the Gey
both training ships. and not OF Il
ere cpe midable type, though one sufiiced
settle hastily the recent Haytlan dl
huI hiE Guilty Their touching at Havana
OF not believed to be significant, as tn
OF cruise was arranged in all details Ii
Of September, and the same ships are q
nts at Charleston, 5. c., early in Februa
eX- Nv
next.
lor- The commander of the Maine, Ca
SH' nds' Sirsbee, is a iavorite in the navy
partmcnt. For four years he was ch
; III of the photographic office. and by
ous energy brought the Office to h
.,,9l Gl standard. He was lucky to get SO
ligh portant ship as the NAME consi'
in ing his actual rank, which is that {
commander, but Immediately he ju
fed the departments Judgment in
selection by running his ship strai
~o into dock in New York har
tion 10 avoid running down packed ext
'eess, sion boat. This was display OF q,
''"'' Judgment, nerve and pluck
~ to pleased the department so highly t
han. the captain. was sent a compliment
arpd | l,,,.,