Evening star., 1898-03-26
SENATORS GROWING UNEASY
Effect of the Authoritative Publication of the
Maine Findings.
Intervention Thought the Only Way
TO Bring Cuban Atrocities
to O Close.

Among the senators of both the great
political parties there is a feeling of grow
ing uneasiness over the Cuban question.
The first announcement on unquestioned
authority in The Star last evening Of the
cause of the Name disaster has had a DOW
erful effect in stirring up senators and
making them alive to the situation Many
Ten who have reserved their Judgment are
Inclined to believe that the destruction of
the Maine was purely an act of treachery
and really war-lke demonstration Tho
coming of the Spanish torpedo boat notilla
is increasing their apprehensions, and very
many senators fear that unless the govern
ment takes an immediate and positive
stand in its relations with Spain that a
second and still more disastrous act of
treachery will be committed by that gov
ernment. The feeling that the fiotilIa
should not be allowed to come into Ameri-
can waters Is universal. In fact the pres
ehce OF this large fleet of torpedo boats in
Cuban waters is regarded by many as tie
forerunner of war.
AS one prominent senator expressed 1t to
Siar reporter today, the Americans are
talking and the Spaniards are acting. He
said he had no doubt that the delay Of
open hostilities was really more beneficial
United States could make no preparations
for war that would be of any advantage
to 1t except through purchase. 1t would
take six months to build torpedo boats.
and longer to construct other craft that
would be OF advantage In a war. On the
other hand, Spain ig getting ready, and
this senator feared that unless prompt ac-
ton Is taken Spain will deal blow to the
United states, under one pretext or an
other. that will be humiliattng to the pride
OF this country, as it would indicate a lack
of tact in not taking time by the forelock.
The feeling that war must come intensi-
fies in view OF the report of the board of
inquiry on the Maine disaster The cues
tion that many are discussing now is the
manner in which 1t will come. There is
less and less inclination to have hostilities
opened through a demand for an indemnity
for the loss Of the Maine and the lives of
American sailors. There Is a general feel
ing that Spain would not pay this indem-
nifty, in view of the report of her own board
OF inquiry. and that at any rate a long
time would be consumed in negotiations,
and Spain would demand that the matter
be submitted to arbitration. On the other
hand. it is said, the whole world could not
but applaud the United States II it were to
demand that the policy of starvation In
Cuba be brought to an end. The only way
to bring the Cuban atrocities to a close, it
Is believed, will be by intervention, and
that can mean only war.
The Position of Congress.
One thing seems quite certain, and tina.
Is that Congress will not vote any more
money for feeding the reconcentrados un-
less they vote 1t with the definite under
standing that the policy of starvation in
Cuba shall be speedily brought to a close.
Unless some definite policy Is indicated
by President Mckinley Monday there are
apt to be very exciting scenes in Congress-
and 1t is very doubtful v whether the Presi-
dent will be able to hold the Senate and
the House Of Representatives In check for
another week unless he tells them exactly
what he Is going to do. The policy of
waiting and waiting. now that the report
Of the board Of inquiry Is in, can no longer
satisfy Congress. Even business men who
are known to be the most conservative are
writing strong letters to the senators and
repres rescntatives asking that something be
done, as the uncertainty that now hangs
over the country is proving Of immense
| disadvantage to business interests Many
Of these constituents write that they have
less concern about what is to be done
| than they have that something should bS
| done.