The sun., 1898-03-15
GETTING READY TO FIGHT.
RENEWED AOTITITY IN TIE ARMF
AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS.

| NaS1s hhht ETettuOnt hAchtmtoy AtFenoy
Had That tho Maine was niown Up rrou,
eutsiae and That It Is High Time to Inter
rere In Cubs-spain's Aggressive Action.
WARRINGTON, March 14.--The officials of the
Administration resumed with renewed interest
| and activity this morning the work OF putting
the army and the navy in condition for fight.
Nothing has occurred within tho past day or
two to change tho situation in tho least or to
make more uncertain q peaceful settlement
of the Cuban question. The President has said
to moro than one of his callers to-day that whilo
| be is deeply concerned over the situation and
awaiting with grave anxiety the report Of the
Naval Board Of Inquiry. yet he is still hopeful
that war can bo averted. and tho controversy
| with Spain over tho Cuban question adjusted In
a way satisfactory TO the honor and dignity of
| the United States.
| At present all depends on tho report Of
the Naval Board Of Inquiry. Just when
that report will bo received and what It
will contain neither the President nor
any official Of tho Administration knows
from an official source. Unofilcially, however.
| they have received information from many
sources and it will be a very great surprise to
the President and to everybo else in Washing
ton II the verdict shall not declare that the
Maine was destroyed by an outside explosion.
Senator Proctor. whose sources Of information
while in Cuba were quite good as that of any
officer or civilian not q member of the Court Of
Inquiry, added his testimony to-day to that Of
the other callers upon the President. The Senator
th!nks the Maine was destroyed not by accident
but by design. and he plainly said 90 to tho
President and to Secretary Alger. just as he
docs to the newspapers. The Senator also
thinks the condition Of the starving reconcen
trados has not been exaggerated, and he is of
tha nj MI hat he INN 10 iptor ttonb boo
about arrived. Senator Proctor is such warm
personal and political friend OF Mr. Mckinley
that his description OF what he saw in Cuba and
his advice as to what ought to be done by the
Administration under all the circumstances can
hardly fail to have great weight at the White
House.
The ono oversh Allowing feature in to-day's
Developments In the formal announcement by
Secretary Long that the United States had pur-
chased outright for cash the Brazilian warships
Amazonas and Admiral Breu. 1t has been
evident for several days that the Government
would probably succeed in accomplishing tho
purchase. and now it has been made tho Presi-
dent feels easier. Ever since the possibility Of
a war with Spain became apparent the
President and Secretary Long have felt
that the ono great necessity OF tho
United States was the possession of more
vessels of war, and the ways and means Of pro-
curing them have been the subject of the most
anxious discussion. 1t is now known that this |
anxiety of tho Administration to augment it's
feet by the purchase Of options on vessels
In course Of construction abroad was directly |
responsible for the White House conference
last Sunday night and Monday morning. which |
resulted in tho passage Of the 100000 |
Emergency bill. re-.-
Secretary Long was informed about ten days |
ago by the United States naval representatives |
abroad that Spain was ondesvoring to buy ships. |
The information was official, and based not upon
hearsay but upon facts. The Secretary was not |
informed whether Spain had the money to pay |
for them or not. but that she had made an at
tempt to purchase vessels was certified to of.
fcially. This information afforded the very
cause that tho Administration was waiting for.
United States in putting into active and uncon-
cealed operation its plan OF placing the
army and navy upon e. war footing. The
leaders in Congress were therefore hastily
and the situation pointed out to
them in connection with the significance OF
SPANS action in endeayoring to buy ships.
Neither Senator Hale nor Representative Bou-
telle could object to upholding the President
and the Secretary of the Navy in the face of
testimony showing that Spain was actively pre-
pairing for possible conflict with the United
StAlt6, anu bO tuc pOO,OoO,VVO 1ppiOpiihtiOh |
was agreed upon. 1t was needed primarily for
tho purchase of ships, and the wisdom of Con.
Rress in granting 1t SO cheerfully and unani-
mously is shown in the gratifying news to-day
that the two Brazilian ships will not later than
tomorrow be flying the Stars and Stripes"
President Mckinley is still undecided on the
question Of what steps to take when the report
Of the Naval Court of Inquiry shall be received.
Only ono point has been determined upon. He
will make the report public at the earliest pos
sible moment after 1t shall have been read by
him. Whether 1t will be sent to Congress Is still
uncertain. The President has no desire to con-
,eal the truth. and. more than all. he is
anxious not to create the impression that he Is
IN willing TO take Congress into his confidence. |
Still, he knows that 1t would be exceedingly diff
icult, II not impossible, to control Congress and
prevent them from passing a resolution recog-
lizing belligerency or declaring the indepen-
ience Of Cuba Immediately upon tho publlca.
ion of the fact that tho Court Of Inquiry had
'eported that the Maine was destroyed by AN
outside explosion.
In order to prevent action by Congress. which |
night greatly embarrass the President In his |
,olicy with regard to the general controversy
With Spain over the Cuban question, several of !
he Republican leaders in the Senate and House
will advise with the President during the week
md consult among themselves as to the pro-
.ramme to be followed after tho report of tho
laval court shall have been received. OF course
he President has given no intimation OF what
10 thinks the report will contain. but the opin- G
on 10 general that 1t will repudiate the J.
ccident theory. There arc many mon y
mong the prominent ones In both the
enate and House who are opposed to any action I
n the Cuban question and who deprecate oven
he unaggressive policy OF the Administration. !
They stand ready to indorse whatever pro-
rsmme the President may decide upon, but U
hey will be especially willing to assist In pre- u
entlng an outbreak in Congress when the re- a
ort of the Court OF Inquiry is made public in '
rder that the President may retain control of u
he situation and deal with Spain In the manner c
0 may deem the most effective. The question
reparation for the loss of tho Maine is one 4
uestion and the enforcement of Cuban indie. u
endence another. these Congressman think,
nd they will do all In their power to aid the
resident In keeping them separate.
degree Of Significance entirely unwarranted
4 h. la. l..