The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-10-08

Washington, Oct. THE Inference or
war with Spain from the warlike prepa-
rations in the Navy Department does not
lose any force from day to day as the
plans of that department are made pub
iic 1t is none the less the stronger in.
terence because nine-ten of the appa-
rent preparations are being made by the
Navy Department, for the war will nat.
urally be IL contest at sea and in sight of
American and Spanish ports.
''he question occurs to everyone, since
the accrediting of Gen. Woodford to
Spain, what will be the result il Spain
shall say TO America, eve shall not
brook your interference which will
mean that America cannot assume to be
the censor of Weyler's warfare or that
of any other Spanish captain-general.
In that event there would lie only three
things for this country to do. One is to
withdraw entirely from the Cuban con-
troversy; the second Is the endorsement
OF whatever plans Sagasta may suggest
for Cuba and help him TO enforce them
by blocking the filibusters, and the third
is to declare war; in other words, to keep
fnith with all that has been sand and
done by men in private and official life in
this country on behalf of the insurgents.
The feeling is growing since the expo
sition of the plan. of the so called Lib
eral Spanish cabinet that American
diplomacy will avail nothing against the
pride and obstinacy of Spain in the mat
ter of Cuban independence. The State
Department is not ready to consider the
almost certain immediate future rela-
tions between this country and Spain
The Secretary OF State was asked res
terday to say in general terms what posi-
ton this government would take if medi-
alton was rejected, mediation on this side
OF the water being al ways understood to
mean something looking to the absolute
inde pendence OF the island. Mr.. Sher-
man was polite, but he did not answer
the question directly. He said that he
could not answer at this time; and that
1t would be better to await until events
developed
Most people believe that sufficient
events have already developed. Some of
the brainiest men in the Senate have de-
cided that DoGhing will do but freedom
for Cuba, ami the Cubans themselves say
that they will not be satisfied with any
thing but perfect liberty as nation. On
the other hand, all the Spanish state
officials, conservative or liberal, have in
formed America that the idea of such
freedom will never be listened to nor tole-
rated. The main incident then appears
to TIC closed. America has, in Tact, re-
ceivea her ultimatum.
1t was endeavored to be shown ycster.
day that the country had made up its
mind that fight was inevitable Fairly
good circumstantial evidence was offered
to show that this country WAS not max
ing preparations on gigantic scale for a
mere holiday pageant on the high seas.
Dns l.nVN LII
added to the conditions in favor or a CON
Illicit by referring to the forthcoming re-
port of the chief of the bureau OF ordi-
nance. lJ has been ascertained fairly we'll
that recommendation has been made in
the report for the purchase of 81 GOD. 600
worth of smokeless powder. Another
recommendation is for $3.50, 900 to be ex>
pended in torpedo movements and mate.
rial 1t is the object of the department
to make such arrangements for launch
ing and guiding torpedoes that they may
be under control for mile. In q very
few days the torpedo boat flotilla will
be engaged in experiments vf this kind.
Another big item OF expenditure Is TO
he about $3.50, 900 for transforming slow
fire guns into rapid fire. Recommends
lions of this kind will be made To Con-
gress IN December. 1t is certain that the
reporS of the ordinance bureau chief and
his recommendations were discussed at
the last meeting of the Cabiret
1t is difficulo to believe that such hasty
preparations rs these are necessary eX-
crpt fer the fear or expectation of war,
and there is no war cloud in sight but
one. These additional suggestions are u
small part OF all the signs of the times
Last years report of the chief Of the
bureau of ordinances dealt with the in
teresting subject of auxiliary cruisers, or
the transformation of the merchant mn
rine into ships of war at short notice, for
which the authority is in the act of Con
gress of 1891. The determination last
year was to fit out about forty merchant
vessels with batteries, and there is rea-
son to believe that the present years. rec
ommendation about the transformation
OF slow fire guns relates to the possible
use of them on these merchantmen.
The Navy Department, il is quite safe
to say, is making every effort to put the
navy of the country on a fighting basis
at as early day rs possible, notwith-
standing all the official and unofficial de-
mails The chances of war and The sug-
gestions OF war are not diminishing as
the plans of the Navy Department. see
the light
None of the efforts of tie new Spanish
leader TO induce the Cubans to acccep,
the reforms which he will tender will
avail. The Cubans will have nothing
short of absolute independence, and in
this they will be supported by the best
thought OF this country, which will not
for moment permit any act on the part
of this government that has for its pur.
pose the putting of this people again in
bondage.
lt,appearso to be the Spanish policy to
Court the favor OF America aaditha yieit
pain by Sagasta to our minister yester-