Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-03-17
COURT Ct INQUIRY.
None Of the Testimony Taken by 1t
Has Reached the President.
SENIOR BERyADE DENIES A REPORT.
II sampson's Court Finds That tho Maine
Disaster Was Not Due to an Accident
spain WIN Assert the Com
IA trary-Cruisera Bought

CHICAGO, March II Walter Well
man telegraphs as follows to the
Times-Herald: Despite all the news
paper statements to the contrary,
President Mckinley does not know
what the report of the board of in
curry will be. Neither does any mem.
Der OF the cabinet. Not word Of the
testimony taken by the court has
reached the president. Nor has any
member Of the court written line to
the president, or conveyed any infor-
nation whatever to him, directly or
Indirectly. The president and all the
members OF his cabinet are wholly
without knowledge Of the cause OF the
disaster. They have their opinions.
but they are not framing policies Or
taking actions upon the basis OF opin-
Ion.
Fortunately there is prospect that
the suspense will soon be over. Though
the members of the court have not
given any sign as TO when their report
will be ready, 1t Is the belief in adj
ministration circles, based upon news
paper reports Of the movement OF the
court that the verdict may reach
Washington next Friday. That will be
: day Of undisguised anxiety for the
government and for the people OF
the United States. No one de-
niles that the document which
the four members Of the court
Of inquiry are now preparing is likely
TO be one Of the most momentous
papers known to the history OF our
government. Whatever the nature Of
the report, 1t will be promptly given
TO the public, probably by means OF
communication to congress. 1t is said
by members of the administration
that the president wishes the people
10 know the truth at the earliest posi-
bic moment and that he believes such
On important paper should be trans.
mitted to congress for its information
Moreover, the president will lose no
time In presenting to the government
1t Madrid our demands for PREPARATION,
II the verdict justihes such demands.
Then will come the test Of SPANS
spirit
II Is now said to be the settled pur-
pose Of the president to consider the
Maine disaster and the Cuban question
" two different subjects, as 1t was
originally reported In these dispatches
be would do. But II is foresecn that
In certain coming ,ncies The two ques.
lions will inevitably run together.
Recognition Of independence is IN ex-
ecutive function. according to the
practices OF this nation and recogni-
tion Of the independence OF Cuba by
the president OF the United States
would without a shadow Of doubt
bring to focus the whole question OF
Cuba's future.
President Mckinley Is fully deter
mined that, unless 1t becomes abso-
lutely necessary. In response to an
overt oct, the United States will not
make war upon Spain. II war is TO
come II must come from the Spaniards.
II the government at Madrid fatuously
permits the situation TO drift into such
IN extremity that the United States is
forced TO recognize Cuban independ-
ence such hopeless confusion will re-
suit In Cuba as to force Spain to one OF
two courses. She will have TO sur
render the island and get out or make
war upon the United States, which
will amount to precisely the same
thing, SPANS authority in Cuba
would crumble in pieces the day this
government recognized independence.
SENIOR BRRNABE DENIES A REPORT.
WASHINGTON, March 10. The Span
lsh minister Senior Polo y Bernabe
has asked that an emphatic denial be
made, In his name, TO the reports that
Senior Juan Ceballos had been in Wash
ington as commissioner from the
Spanish government to make overtures
for terms Of settlement with the
Cuban insurgents. "Senor Ceballos Is
not commissioner of Spain" said the
minister, nor has he any authority,
directly or indirectly, to speak for the
Spanish government The only person
qualified to speak for Spain in the
United States Is her accredited minis
ter"
MAY ASK FOR ARBITRATION.
WASHINGTON, March i5,-War clouds
are fast gathering and the storm may
break ut any time. Spain has prac.
tically given notice that she will dis
pute the verdict from the court OF in,
quiry II IT is to the effect that the
Maine was destroyed by an outside cx-
plosion. This is evidenced by official
limitations that the result Of the ex-
animation being made by Spanish
board will be that the Maine disaster
was due to an accident and that II
Capt SIMPSONS court concludes that
the contrary is the case an information
q board Of inquiry will be demanded
TWO FINE CRUISERS BOUGHT.
WASHINGTON, March ia weeks
negotiations closed yesterday by thu
triumphant purchase by the navy de
partment in London Of the Amazonal
and the Admiral Abreuall, the tive
Ane cruisers built and building at Els
wick for the Brazilian government
The United States flag will be hoistet
over the new ships within week
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