The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-28
WARSRIPS ORDERED
NEARER TO CUBA
AMERICA PREPARES TO TAKE
HAND IN REBELLION
Fleet of Uncle Sans Best Sea Fight
ers to Assemble at Key West,
Prepared to Sail.

Washington, May 25.-Insurrection
and disorders in Cuba, which threaten
the life and property of Americans
and are believed by the United States
TO be spreading beyond control of the
Cuban government, caused the Ameri-
can government today to take active
steps in preparation to cope with any
situation which may arise in the Is
land Republic.
Two divisions of the Atlantic battle
ship fleet were ordered to take on
their full quota of marines, making a
total of 1900, in addition to the 700
now en- route to Guantanamo on the
Prairie, and rendezvous at Key West,
ready to move to Cuba at the instant
their presence is needed. A dozen war
ships will be in the immediate vicinity
of Cuba within few days.
Army Also Prepared.
The army is prepared with an expe-
dictionary force of $4,000 men, if it is
needed, and plans for campaign to
stamp out the rebellion prepared by
The general staff are ready to be put
in execution at the call of the pres
ident
The insurrection and the serious la
Dor troubles, as result of the re-
newal of the longshoremens strike,
are believed to warrant American pre-
paredness. Of the two, the distur-
Dances which probably will arise at
the Cuban ports through the strikers
operations are believed to be the more
immediate and dangerous. With the
halt of trade, the throwing upon the
streets of large numbers of riotous Ia
borers and the privations likely to fol-
low the cutting Off of water transpor-
tation, the Cuban government is likely,
to find itself Handicapped financially
through the total suspension of Gus
toms receipts, which form the chief
revenue of the island.
Within Easy Reach.
The American fleet, made up Of the
third and fourth divisions of the At
Iantic fleet, will take station off Key
West ready to steam into Havana
within FIVE hours and few hours lat
er to any other north coast ports
where serious disorders may break
out 1t is believed the near presence
of one or more of the Amrican war
ships, by its moral effect, would pre-
vent violent demonstration.
Should this not be sufficient, r.
course will be had to the marine force,
and for this purpose 1900 additional
maries will be taken on at New York
and Norfolk This force readily could
be supplemented by hundre is OF olue
Jackets, if necessary.
The attitude of the Cuban govern
ment in welcoming the dispatch of
American marines to Guantanamo is
accepted as an Indication of its per-
feet willingness to allow other ma
Fines and bluejackets to be landed
without express permission from the
local Cuban authorities. In any case,
the American naval commanders will
exercise their discretion where Amer
lean life and property seem to be in
need of protection.
Vessels Comprising Fleet.
Admiral Osterhaus, conlE.@l..li;.>55 = =
Atlantic fleet, will command this mob
ilized fleet from his flagship, t-2
Washington The other vessels will
be the Georgia, Rhode Island, New
Jersey, and Nebraska, composing the
third division, and the Minnesota, Mis-
SESS1ppl, MlSSouII anu OA4O, VI CA0
fourth division. The hospital ship So
lace and the fleet tugs Patapsco and
Patuxent will accompany the expedi-
tiou, followed by such supply ships
and Golfers as may be necessary The !
collier Lebanon already is taking on
coa1 AZ Phi1adelnhia
Admiral Osterhaus' fleet should ar
rive at Key West by Wednesday if the
vessels succeed in clearing tomorrow,
as it is expected. They are now has
tening to the New York navy ward and
Hampton Roads to pick up as many
marines as may be necessary to fill
their quotas. The Nebraska, from