The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-26
CABINETS ATTITUDE FIRM.
THE TIBWs OF THE PRECEDENT SUP
PORTED BIZ HIs ADVISERS.


-
Counress new Knsws That the Natiou,n Honor
q In sara Hands, asa That tire President
will Take Decisive steps if the Heard or
Esauiry Reports That the Maine wes De-
stroyed ~ n ~subnarins Hline-secretary
LenE Takes n Rest 10 ne Prepared Tor the
Duties That May Soon Devsive Upon Him
wAsHINoToN. Feb. 25.-The Cabinet to-day
discussed the Maine disaster in all Its aspects,
and, while no definite decision was reached. there
was an almost general expression ofopInion that
Spain should DO made to give the most complete
satisfaction for the loss of the battleship and the
deaths OF 90 many Of her crew. II the Board Of
Inquiry reported that abe was not destroyed by
an accident on board. It 10 said that two MON.
bers OF the Cabinet were in favor Of asking
IN indemnity and declaring that the United
States would DO satisfied with its payment,
but they found themselves in o hopeless mi.
nority. their colleagues declaring that greater
punishment should DO inflicted. All tho talk
was on q hypothetical basis, and the general
sentiment was that further details should no
awaited before any determination 40 to
policy should be decided. Tho Cabinet
were inclined to the idea that action by
tho United States should take the form
Of q demand for q heavy indemnity and
tho execution Of all persons concerned In the
destruction Of the Maine. no matter what their
position, and. in the event OF q disa.
vowal by Spain Of responsibility for the
affair. the immediate bombardment Of Havana
by the North Atlantic squadron. There was
was no difference Of opinion. and that was the
necessity of preparations for defensive and
offensive hostilitles. 1t cannot be said that the
Cabinet came to any conclusion, but the temper
of the President and his advisers was shown
in their comments on the situation, which all
regarded as extremely critical.
The knowledge that tho President realizes
tho sentiment Of the country over the Maine
affair. and has determined to DO guided by
that sentiment II tho discov cry is made
that tho bettleship was sent to tho bottom
through other than accidental causes. has
given confidence to everybody in official
circles. They feel that the honor Of tho
United States will DO upheld In any emer-
gency the Government is called on TO confront.
Gradually the adherents of tho Administration
have become aware Of the position assumed
by the President. which was announced in THE
SUN this morning, and the statements made by
Senators and Representatives who have talked
with him in the past few days have strength
ened the patriotism of all public men, ire
s~pective OF party. There 10 q general feeling Of
confidence In Washington. whore the views Of
the Administration are known ut Arst hand. that
whatever action tho President will take on the
findings Of tho Naval Board OF Inquiry will
meet with appreciation throughout the country.
Tho President does not want war. but he knows
there can be no choice II the board confirms the
popular suspicion as to the cause of the disaster.
Neither President Mckinley nor Secretary Long
shares tho growing belief that the Maine was
sent to her fate through foul means. but,
rs THE SON has told. they arc not committed to
any positive opinion on the subject. They
realize that experienced and conscientious
officers, such as Capt. Sampson and his col
leagues are, can arrive at conclusions nearer
the truth than anybody at this remote distance
from the scene OF the disaster. So thorough IL
tho confidence in the members OF the board that
the Administrator Is prepared to accept their
findings without question, and will be guided
In whatever action Is taken by the views OF the
four men on whom so much depends In Spain.
Cuba and the United States.
The terrible strain on President Mckinley and
Secretary Long in these ominous times Is per-
haps not realized by the people of the country.
They alone understand the grave responsibility
with which they are intrusted. Both are men
of peace. They know what war means. and arc
anxious to spare tho country another bloody
conflict. The attacks on them In sensational
newspapers at this trying time have not affected
them. or caused them to swerve an inch from
&hn ,,aafkinn tkauh H. va ea,p1aJ Iba
Of support given by prominent mon in Congress
and elsewhere have been very comforting.
but have not caused these two calm and
level.headed men to forget for an instant what
momentous events are dependent on their de-
cision. The President feels the strain keenly.
Secretary Long has already partly succumbed
to the hard work and the anxiety Of the past
ten days. In order to recuperate sufficiently to
do his duty thoroughly in the rapidly approach.
ing time when the United States may find them
selves in the throes of war, he has relin-
pushed official duties for a few days. turn.
ing over the conduct Of naval az.
fairs TO Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. In
whose ability and well-known patriotism
the Administration has every confidence. The
absence Of Secretary Long at this time ia not
significant of anything, except that no develop
ments that will require positive action by the
Government are expected from tho Board OF
inquiry during the period no Will DO away from
the Navy Department. He has not gone away
on any secret mission. He 10 resting somewhere,
but nobody In his confidence or in the confidence
Of other officials Of the naval service has made
any endeavor to find out his exact location.
The general impression is that Mr.. Long has
not left the city. but Is taking his ease at his
residence. where ho will be frecr from Interrupt.
ton than II he went to some winter resort. lie
was present at the session OF the Cabinet to-day,
but did not return to the department after II
adjourned. having made arrangements with
Mr.. Roosevelt earlier In tho day for the Assis.
tant Secretary to assume his duties during his
absence.
There was really nothing OF moment discussed
at the Cabinet meeting. although the Maine dis
astor was referred to and some opinions ex-
pressed as to the length OF time that would
elapse before tho Board OF Inquiry reported.
The public knows about rs much on that point
as do the President and his advisers, for eyery