Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-09-13
CRUISER For CUBA
The Des Moines Has Sailed Hastily
to Take Up a Position at
Key West.
WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS.
The Critical Situation in the Island
In Absorbing the Attention OF
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ting Details Daily.

| washington, sept. lZ.-lt was OF
ficially admitted Tuesday that thu
American cruiser Des Molnes which
sailed Monday hastily from Norfoll
had gone southwark to Key West witt
the ultimate purpose Of processing
to Havana ii developments within the
next two days seem to warrant such
action. At Key West the Des MoineS
will be about eight hours run from
Havana and while waiting Comman
der Halsey will be in close communi
cation with the navy department pre-
pared to carry out Immediately any
request from the department Of state
There is no intention in this move
ment Of the Des Moines toward par
TALLY toward one side or the other In
the present conflict In Cuba. The
ship will be at Havana to serve a. an
asylum in case of need and be at the
disposition of the American charge.
In case the United States government
finds 1t necessary to intervene in Gu
ban affairs under the provisions Of
the Plat amendment forces which
should have to be used for that pur.
pose would be found in much bet
ter state Of preparation than when
hostilities began between the United
States and Spain. The long military
occupation of Cuba by the United
States troops afforded an opportunity
to army officers to become familiar
with the island and probably no por-
ton of the earth is better known to
the military authorities Of the United
States than the island of Cuba. In
addition to the familiarity Of the army
officers with the geography and gen.
eral conditions of Cuba, all the sup
ply departments are better equipped.
The critical situation in Cuba is abb
sorbing this attention of the admins
tration to the exclusion Of all other
foreign topics, as indicated by the &C
tiyity Of the officials in the state, navy
and war departments. The president
at oyster bay is keeping in close
touch with every development of the
revolutionary movement in Cuba and
is in constant communication by wire
with the officials here, who indeed are
even in receipt Of detailed instruc-
tons from him as to what they shall
do.
The. prime object of the admins.
tration at present is to get at the de-
tails which is no easy task. Particu-
larly is it desired to know the precise
strength Of the revolutionary sentl-
ment In Cuba and the relative pow
ers Of the government and the insur.
gents there. Mr.. Morgan, the Amer
lean minister to Havana is under
stood to be Fastening from Europe
where he has been on vacation, to
The Cuban capital and meanwhile Mr..
Sleeper, the secretary Of the Ameri-
ian legation at Havana, IL supplying
he state department with daily bull
etin containing such facts as he Is
able TO gather there.
It is the purpose Of the administra.
ion to proceed with great delibera-
DIN in dealing with the Cuban ques-
ion and It was said on the highest |
authority that there would be no in |
ervention BY the United States un.
ess the rebellion assumed the pro
PORTIONS Of general conflagration. It
vas further stated that there had
'een no application from any Of the
oreign governments for the United
'tates government to step in and pre-
Ierve the peace. fo tttt