The Portland daily press., 1898-03-25
President Now Admits Explosion
Came From Outside. -
Few Days Later Another Message Will BE
Sent Announcing That This Govern
ment Will Intervene ON Hnmanltarlan
Grounds Believed Spain Will Go
As Far As 1t Dares to Maintain Peace.

Washington, March 24.-The last day
before the arrival Of the report OF the
Maine Court of Inquiry was one OF une1-
ampled activity in all official quarters
Advices came early that the Spanish
torpedo fotilla had sailed from the
Canaries for Porto Rico and from TINS
moment the most energetic warllke meas
ures followed one lanother in constant
snccession. The movement of this heet
had been watched with the keenes5 IN
terest AZ it was felt to involve serious
nossibilities which might compel the
United States government to prooesO
AGAINST the movement as or hostie
character. Immediately on receipt OF the
official despatch from one OF our naval au-
uaches abroad briefly announcing the sail
ing of the fleet the fact was made known
TO the President and an earnest CONFER
ence was held between Secretary Long
and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. The
seriousness of the move was fully con-
sidered and thePresident was advised that
naval strategists regarded it as essential
that this torpedo fotilla should not be al
lowed to reach western waters. What, IL
any, conclusion was reached Is not
known. Later in the day the Spanish
minister Senior Polo Bernabe called at the
State Department and spent some time
with Judge Day. 1t was naturally IN
ferred that the approach OF the spanish pa.4l
f1otilIa was one of the subjects referred TO-
Whether, however, there was any sug-
eestion against the move, was not ols-
closed by either Judge Day or the opanlsh
minister both of whom maintained the
strictest reticence regarding the confer
ence. The fiotilla announcement was FOL
lowed rapidly by important news. Inc
first was the announcement by Secretary
Long Indicating the placing of our squad
ron and fleet ON war footing:
"Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret OF the
Navy Department, and altogether on ac-
count of his health.
"Captain Sampson has been made COM
mander Of the fleet at Key West; Captain
Evans has been ordered to take command
of the battleship Iowa.
'eThe orders to the squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not been issued.
Although the announcement did not SO
state it soon become known that Commo-
dore W. S. Schley was slated to command
the "Flying squadron. This announce
ment was recognized at once as OF un-
usual importance at this juncture. Ad-
miral Sicard has been in commaEdkof the
fleet at Key West throughout the critical
period of the Maine disaster. Captain
Sampson has been in command OF the
Iowa, but more recently has been more
conspicuous before the public as president
of the Maine court of inquiry. Captain
Roblev Evans is better known as Fight
ing Bob.
The next important move was deter
mination to create joint commission
from the War and Navy Departments SO
as to bring them into harmonious action
on all measures. Captain Barker, naval
aide of Secretary Long was designated to
present the Navy Department in this plan
of action. The representative of the War
Department has not yet been named. 1T
will not be necessary for these two officers
to leave Washington as they can best
arrange joint plan of action in confer
ence with the bureau chiefs OF the two de-
parments here.
Then at the close of day came the an
nouncement that the Navy Department
had succeeded in purchasing elght seeam