The official reason given by the Secretary of the Navy when he notified the Spanish minister, Señor Dupuy de Lome, was that the visit of the _Maine_ was simply intended as a friendly call, according to the recognised custom of nations. The United States minister at Madrid, General Woodford, also announced the same in substance to the Spanish Minister of State. It having been repeatedly declared by the government at Madrid that a state of war did not exist in Cuba, and that the relations between the United States and Spain were of the most friendly character, nothing less could be done than accept the official construction put upon the visit. The Spanish public, however, were not disposed to view the matter in the same light, as may be seen by the following extracts from newspapers: “If the government of the United States sends one war-ship to Cuba, a thing it is no longer likely to do, Spain would act with energy and without vacillation.”—_El Heraldo, January 16th._ “We see now the eagerness of the Yankees to seize Cuba.”—_The Imparcial, January 23d._ The same paper, on the 27th, declared: “If Havana people, exasperated at American impudence in sending the _Maine_, do some rash, disagreeable thing, the civilised world will know too well who is responsible. The American government must know that the road it has taken leads to war between both nations.” On January 25th Madrid newspapers made general comment upon the official explanation of the _Maine’s_ visit to Havana, and agreed in expressing the opinion that her visit is “inopportune and calculated to encourage the insurgents.” It was announced that, “following Washington’s example,” the Spanish government will “instruct Spanish war-ships to visit a few American ports.” The _Imparcial_ expresses fear that the despatch of the _Maine_ to Havana will provoke a conflict, and adds: “Europe cannot doubt America’s attitude towards Spain. But the Spanish people, if necessary, will do their duty with honour.” The _Epocha_ asks if the despatch of the _Maine_ to Havana is “intended as a sop to the Jingoes,” and adds: “We cannot suppose the American government so naïve or badly informed as to imagine that the presence of American war-vessels at Havana will be a cause of satisfaction to Spain or an indication of friendship.” The people of the United States generally believed that the battle-ship had been sent to Cuba because of the disturbances existing in the city of Havana, which seemingly threatened the safety of Americans there. On the morning of January 12th what is termed the “anti-liberal outbreak” occurred in the city of Havana. Officers of the regular and volunteer forces headed the ultra-Spanish element in an attack upon the leading liberal newspaper offices, because, as alleged, of Captain-General Blanco’s refusal to authorise the suppression of the liberal press. It was evidently a riotous protest against Spain’s policy of granting autonomy to the Cubans.