Mr. Uhl to Mr. Dupuy de Lôme.
Washington, June 29, 1895.
Sir: The Secretary of the Navy has communicated to this Department a report from the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Raleigh, dated Key West, June 22, 1895, stating that matters are very quiet there, and the conditions are such as to indicate that it is very improbable that any serious attempts to violate the neutrality laws will be made; that any movement against Cuba would of necessity be confined to small parties, and the transportation to some of the small craft capable of navigating the reefs.
[Page 1197]In order to look out for these vessels, the revenue cutter Louis McLane has made a cruise inside the reefs and among the keys and returned, reporting that she had seen nothing of a suspicious nature.
Captain Miller further states that it appears to be well established that the party which left Key West on the 6th instant numbered only fifteen or twenty; that they were taken from the north end of the island by a small sailing vessel, and probably transferred to some other vessel near the Bahamas.
The U. S. S. Raleigh was at the date mentioned above expecting to cruise westward as far as Tampa Bay.
Accept, etc.,
Acting Secretary.