Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07

call from General Lee had proceeded Dry Tortugas
in company with Rear Admiral Scards squadron. The
order for this movement had been telegraphed from
Washington the day before, January %, at which
time it was considered that the continued presence of
the batteship at Key West an unnecessary annoy
ance to Spain In the evening of the twenty fourth
torpedoboat rushed from Key West to the Tortugas
with orders the Maine to proceed to Havana at
ito make friendly visit for the protection of American
citizens and to afford them asylum if necessary
The first word of this reached Havana the afternoon
of the twenty fourth through the following despatch,
sent by "The Herald to its correspondent:
Kindly send story and pictures ordered food supply
We want it for main sheet within few days
Translated the code part of this message, which
confined to the first sentence read, "a United States
warship has been ordered to Havana The second SEN
tence explained that it was the Maine and that she
could be expected within few days. Caldwell hunted
up General Lee and told him of the information he had
received
Lee did not believe it. He said he had not asked for
warship and he was sure none would be sent without
said ave may have the Maine other ship here
of these days; but certainly not for the present.
Caldwell, however, expressed full confidence in the
correctness of his despatch AS General Lee was dress
ing the next morning he asounded to the Maine
steamng into the harbor. Going down to the dining
room, he found Caldwell at breakfast. He walked
to him and said very gravely, "You right last
night after ALL The Maine has just entered the harbor
l saw her pass the Moro ten minutes ago." She had
been despatched in such frantic haste that ntima
ton had been to Lee and he had consequently been
unable to advise General Blanco of her expected arrival
THE inqustive bunder that caused the Maine to be
= sent to Havana not the only fortuitouS mishap
that advanced the of the revoutionSts. 1t
through another inquring accident that the famous
de LONE letter which would have resulted in American
Intervention without the resentment born of the desruc
ton of Captain Sgsbee's historic ship fell into the
hands of the Cubans This pleasing but unexpected
development of that filled with surprises has
always been surrounded with mystery; but there is
why the story should not be told
The letter written to Jose Canaejas, formerly
Minister of Justice and in years the powerful
Premier of Spain In the fall of 1897, at which time he
editor of "The Madrid Heraldo,' he made trip
to Cuba, by way of New York and Washington, to
first hand information both public sentiment
in the United States and the real state of the
bellion. When in this country he had several confer
with Enrique Dupuy de Lone, the Spanish Min
ister who promised to keep him advised to develop
ments at Washington. Soon after his arrival in Cuba
he into the field with the troops and spent much
time in Pnar del Rio, where vigorous campaign
being conducted against Maceo. On his return to
Havana he found that his secretary had been taken
sick during his absence, and there a of un-
opened mail awaiting him. He was in hurry to get
back Spain; he asked the editor of "El Figaro"
to lend him stenographer to help him with his
respOndence.
Gustavo Escoto young Cuban clerk, was assigned
to assist him. They going through the stack of
mail, when wealthy liquor dealer called to invite
Canalejas to visit his place He insstent and to
get rid of him quickly Canalejas stepped into
the hall to talk with him.
The moment that the door was closed Escoto picked
up the next letter the pile and opened it. 1t CHANGED
to be confidential communication from de LONE in