The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-03-19
FIFTY MILLIONS FOR WAR
CONGRESS VOTES FUNDS WITH
ENTHUSIASM
Strong War Feeling in the United
States Tempered by Desire for
Peace With Honor.


without a dissenting vote the Ameri
can House of Representatives made al
: appropriation of $5O.OOO.OOO for wal
purposes.
The greatest activity of preparation
both in the army and navy continues
The national spirit is thoroughly
aroused. Yet entire confidence seem,
to have been inspired by the action
of Congress and of the administrations
so that there is no sentiment in favor
of mad rush into war with Spain.
There is a disposition to await the re-
port of the Board of Inquiry and the
usual and decorous diplomatic pro-
ceedings to follow it whatever its find
ings. The Board has not reported vet
and would not for several days after
| the date of the latest advices from the
Coast. Cabinet officials explicitly deny
that any report of the Board in adj
vance of its formal report has or will
be made. or that the $5O.OOO.OOO ap-
preparation was based on such adj
vance information.
The exact cause of the Maine disas-
ter seems to be as much a matter of
doubt as ever. In an Associated Press
interview the chief of the Spanish
Board of Inquiry says the result of
his Investigations are conclusive
against the theory that it was caused
by a torpedo. and indicates that it was
due to some accident aboard the boat.
The conclusions which seem to be ac-
cepted in America are exactly to the
contrary.
1t is reported that if the Board Of
lnquiry's finding shall make it appear
that the explosion was from the cut
side and that Spain was in any way rl-
sponsible through ",snsonoa or bv
w her subjects
a formal disavowal and an ne J'c'S'
of $5O.0OOO will be demanded. "
Such is a summary of the situation
as indicated by the papers brought by
the Doric, which include those of
March 18th.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-IToping
for the best and preparing for the
worst about represents the situation
in the War and Navy Departments
these days. The officials still profess
confidence that there is to be peace
full outcome of the present difficulties
but meanwhile they prepare to meet
their duty if events shape themselves
otherwise.
The most important and significant
developments of the day were the deci-
sion of the House Naval Committee to
place in the naval appropriation bill a
provision for three new battle ships,
and n conclusion on the part of the
Secretary of War to issue tomorrow
morning an order creating a new mil
itary department, including within its
confines that part of the country
which would be in all likelihood near
est the field of hostilities in case it
should come to that. The order will
cause a commotion in the South.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Senor
Luis Polo y Bernabe, the new Spanish
Minister, was seen at the Spanish Le-
CATION today, and, for the first time
since his arrival, consented to speak
concerning Spanish affairs, observing
such reticence on certain phases as
diplomatic propriety required.
After discussing at some length the
autonomous government of Cuba, dur
ing which he stated that the elections
in the Island were soon to be held,
Minister Polo's attention was drawn
to the present crisis. Senor Polo then
| spoke with much reserve. The Lee in
cdent happened while he was on the
ocean and he knew nothing, he said,
of the circumstances, although he felt
confident a misunderstanding had
| grown out of some casual illusions to
/ General Lee not meant as any intima-
tion that his recall was desired.
The Minister was then asked if he
viewed the present condition of affairs
| between the United States and Spain
as indicating war. After a moments
| hesitation he answered gravely:
81 am sure that the United States
/ does not want war, just as | am sure
that the Spanish Government does not
want war, and will do everything hon-
orable in its power to avert such ca
lamity.'
The following special dispatch to the
Examiner appears in its issue. of the
! 10Th:
WASHINGTON, March 9.-The re-
Continued on Page Fiye.)