New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-26
0ABINETTALKS OF THE MAINE
NO NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIS
AsTER RECEIVED.

THE MY,xBERs CONFIDENT THAT THE ffh'i-
DENT WILL, UPHOLD THE NATIONAL HONOR
IN ANY EMERGENCY SECRETARY
LONG TAKES BRIEF VACATION.
rpr TELEGRAPH THE rRIsuNE1
Washington. Feb. 23.-To-day's CABINET mee'.
ing WAS wholly devoid Of discussion that couid
be distorted into giving the slightest comfort ~
sensa,ion-mongers. The Maine disaster was the
chief subject Of informal consideration as &c,
eral of the members afterward said. Just as IL
would be among any eight or ten men sa'heieu
IN one room, anywhere in the United States
Thsrs vo. not q hi, OF Official information avail
able 10 the Cabinet about the Maine that had
M, already been given to the press by the Navy
and State departments In the last week. Inc
attendance for the first time In a long period OF
the Secretary OF War naturally brought up
MANY accumulated affairs relating to the Army.
and disposition was made Of these. That they
were connected with the efficiency and improve
ment Of the military service there Is no gainsay-
ing but that they were forced 10 the front al
this time by anything but Secretary Ayers long
absence was distinctly neSat!ved.
Not q new fact regarding the Maine was
brought out IN the session. although for fully an
hour and a half in the free discussion OF routine
matters Of the various departments. occasional
mention Of the disaster was made.
The President did not inform the Cabinet
what action. II any he had In contemplation u
the official report Of the Court Of Inquiry leaned
one way or another and the members went away
without asking what 10 expect. while fully con-
Ndent that whatever the outcome 1t would be
honorable TO the Nation.
Secretary Long. after the Cabinet meeting.
turned the Navy Department over to Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt for a few days and went
away 10 tax, a needed rest. This was done at
the solicitation Of the President and his col
leagues IN the Cabinet. who realized the terrific
strain under which the Secretary Of the Navy
has labored for the last ten days. since he was
awakened after midnight to receive Captain
6igsbees first dispatch announcing the blowing
up OF the Maine and asking a suspension OF
public opinion. From that moment the Secretary
has had comparatively little rest at night. and
every day has been crowded with the consid-
Grafton OF important business relating to the
calamity. He has borne the brunt Of greater
responsibilities than are usually thrust upon
one man. without relief from the enormous mass
Of details and petty anxieties which the catas-
tTcIhe produced.
The likelihood that no important developments
could be expected for several days. together
with the certainty that the President would
need his advice next week when the report or
the Court of Inquiry is expected emphasized
the advantages OF the present opportunity for
recuperation The President depends on Secre-
tary Longs known good Judgment and conscien-
tious discretion in this emergency perhaps more
than on any single adviser he can summon. and
to-day he insisted that relief from official cares
should be taken. In the mean time Mr.. Roose-
welt can be relied on. as Acting Secretary or the
Navy to carry out to the letter the policy OF the
Administration with which he Is perfectly
familiar. Secretary Long Will not go beyond
reach from the White House, and should he be
needed in an emergency he VIII be able TO re-
spond speedily 10 any call.