File No. 837.00/852.

The Secretary of State to the American Minister.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

Admiral Osterhaus telegraphs the Navy Department as follows:

The Minister concurs with me in believing there is no need for ships here and that the Third Division, Atlantic Fleet, with force on board, may return north; also, in my opinion, state of affairs in the Province of Oriente is such that all vessels of the Fourth Division, Atlantic Fleet, may be withdrawn, leaving landed forces and gunboats to handle situation. The latest reliable information indicates Cuban forces can control situation.

Pursuant to this telegram the large war vessels at Key West, Habana and Guantánamo have been ordered north; the gunboats, auxiliaries and marines to remain. Inform consul at Santiago.

Knox.