Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-25
WAR SEEMS NEAR At HAND.
Continued from First Page.

an announcement that the Navy De-
partment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yachts and four steam
tugs. presumably at and near New
York. for use in the auxiliary naval
fleet. The boats are about 400 tons
each and in an emergency would be
suitable as torpedo boats.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance
Senators and Representative from both
political parties calling to confer with
the President. Among the callers were
Senators Cullom, Fairbanks. Lodge,
Aldrich, Jones of Arkansas. ard
Spocner and Representative Bailey,
the Democratic floor leader in the
House of Representatives
The President said to several Of his
visitors to-day, in discussing the situa
ton, that he would do everything con-
sistent with the honor and the dignity
of the country to avert war, and he.
still believed war could be averted.
He also said that he believed the gov
eminent of Spain was as anxious for
peace as we were. but at the same time
he did not hesitate to admit the grav-
ity of the situation. The President
frankly acknowledged that he believes
the report of the board of inquiry will
find that the Maine was blown up from
the outside. His programme has been
definitely decided. 1t is his purpose to
treat the blowing up of the Maine
AS AN INCIDENT.
The report of the board will be sent
to Congress on Monday with a very
brief message relating to the events
leading up TO that point and inform
ing Congress that the facts contained
in the report have been cabled to Mad
rid to be laid before the spanish gov
eminent by Minister WoodfOrd. No
demand will be made upon Spain, but
the laying of the facts before the
Spanish government will be equivalent
to calling upon Spain for an explana-
ton and such action as she may deem
proper.
1t is the purpose of the House Leaders
to refer the report and message TO the
committee on foreign affairs without
debate, and to this purpose, it IS be-
lieved the Democrats OF the House
have acquiesced, reservinS the right
to demand action if a report from the
committee is too long delayed. Much
will then depend upon spanish re-
Spouse, but there are those close TO
the President who believe that from
the time the report is sent 20 Congress
it will drop out as factor IN the SIT
uation. The second part If the Pres
ident's programme reaches the main
question and involves Intervention on
humanitarian grounds within week
or ten days after the report OF the
board goes TO Congress.
1t will be intervention to relieve the
starvation in Cuba, and upon Spain
acQuiescence in or objection to this
act will depend peace or war. A prom
inent member of the House said to-
day that in his opinion the next two
weeks would determine which it would
be-
Such information as exists here leads
those close to the President to believe
that the Spanish government will go
to any length to preserve peace.
THE QUEEN REGENT
is especially anxious to prevent war
and it is. believed the ministry will go
just as far as 1t can without jeopardiz-
ing its own existence and the survival
of the present Spanish dynasty.
The navy department was advised
to-day of the sailing of the monitor
Terror, from New York, for Key West,
the arrival of the Texas at Hampton
roads and the Puritan at Newport
News, and of the monitors Monadnock
and Monterey at San Francisco. The
battleship Texas came up from Key
West, making an exceptionally quick
run for vessel of her class.
The Spanish authorities have been
informed that some time ago Captain
Sigsbee asked permission to use dy-
Mantle in the destruction of the wreck
of the Maine. This was refused by
Captain General Blanco for the reason
it is officially explained, that as there
are evil disposed persons who insist
that the Maine was blown up from ex-
ternal causes, the Spanish authorities
do not want the wreck destroyed as it
affords all the evidence ohtana6le as
to the actual cause of the disaster.