Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22

as handled by Spain, and that he Will
not permit unnecessary delays. 1t Is re-
peated today that he is anxious for peace.
but that he will have peace only on condi-
ton that it is in every way honorable to
this country. A man of the highest prom
inence said today that in the history of the
world peace has been preserved in various
ways. He recalled one of Mark Twain's
characters, who was a great lover of peace.
but to secure this blessing he was forced
to knock down five men. 1t might be
necessary for this government to resort to
that kind of method to secure peace.
Every minute of the cabinet session was
devoted to a discussion of the situation.
All other matters, said a member, have
been forgotten. The session was not long.
Secretary Long and Secretary Sherman left
at noon, an hour after the beginning of the
meeting. The other members had all de-
parted from the White House half an hour
later, leaving Senator Allison and Senator
German with the President.
Two Senator'S Mt the White House.
visit of Senators Allison and German
to the President at the close of the cabinet
meeting excited much speculation. They
went together, Senator Allison having been
with the President earlier IN the morning.
The belief is generally expressed that the
visit had some connection with the situa-
ton.
If this is so, Senator German is the first
democrat who has been called into confer
ence. He is an old friend of President Nc
Kinley, and if those are phases of the stu
alton which the President desires the
democrats to pass it is highly probable
that he would select Senator German. The
two men were with the President about
twenty minutes.
Mr. Strauss Suggestion.
The President is receiving many suggas-
tions from prominent persons in various
parts of the country as to the proper treat
n,ent of the Cuban question. One OF these
plans was recently submitted by Mr. Oscar
Straus of New York, formerly the Amer
lean minister to Turkey. Mr.. Straus' study
of European affairs, and particularly his
Knowledge Of the methods Of government
in the various Turkish dependencies, led
him to suggest that President Mckinley
use his influence TO establish in Cuba
Spanish suzeranity similar to that main
tanned by Turkey over Roumelia or Egypt.
Mr. Straus visited the President a few
days ago and explained his views. Since
then he has filed at the White House a
written argument, detailing the differences
existing between the governments of
suzerainty and colony.
Although Mr. Straus' opinions have been
received with consideration, it can be
stated that the President is not favorably
impressed with the suggestions. The Presi-
dent thinks that the Spanish offer to Cuba
of self-government and everything else eX-
cept an Independent flag is more liberal
than the plan proposed by Mr.. Straus, and
if the Cubans will not accept the one offer
he is confident they would not accept the
ether.
At the Navy Department..
This beirg cabinet day, interest in the
Spanish situation was centered in the
meeting of the President and his cabinet
as it was felt that with the re-
port of the court of inquiry SO near at
HAND full understanding would be reach
ed to the course to be pursued when
the document arrives. Prior to the meet
ing the statement was reiterated that
neither the report nor any part of it mad
reached the authorities here. With the
cabinet officials at the White House and
with Mr.. Roosevelt at tine Capitol before
the Senate naval committee, there was a
luil iE the usual activity about the Navy
Depar rtmert. Mr.. Long had a busy hour,
however. before he left for the cabinet
meeting. Judge Day came over from the
State Department and had an extended
talk with the Naval Secretary.
The Launching Thursday.
President Orcutt of The Newport News
Shipbuildihg Company also talked with the
Secretary on the plans for the launching
of the new battle ships Kearsarge and
Kentucky at Newport News Thursday.
Owing to the condition of affairs here Mr..
Long is not likely to attend the launching,
as Thursday is the day on which the re-
port Of the court of inquiry may be re-
ceived.
For the same reason many of the naval
chiefs who had hoped to see these fine
ships glide into the water will be unable to
attend the launching A distinguished par
ty is to leave here tomorrow night, how
ever, including members of the Senate and
House naval committees and such naval
officials as are not pressed by the present
emergency conditions. Mr.. Orcutt stated
that the Kearsarge would leave the ways
at 10 IN. Thursday morning and the Ken
lucky one hour later. Mrs. Herbert VIM
slow, wife of Lieutenant Commander VIM
SLOW and Miss Christine Bradley, daughter
of Governor Bradley, who will christen the
Kearsarge and Kentucky, respectively, will
reach Newport News tomorrow. Governor
Bradley and party of 800 Kentuckians
will arrive at the same time to do fitting
honor to the ship which bears the name of
their state. After the launching an hour
will be given to inspecting the ship yard,
including the work on the big battle ship
Illinois, and later the official guests will be
entertained at collation.. Mr.. Orcutt
speaks in the highest terms Of the two new
battle ships. and says that on pincn they
could be made ready for service within
eight months, and possibly less.
The negotiations for the purchase Of ships
abroad is going steadily forward but Inere
was regretable reverse in this connection
today. The authorities had been exceed
ingly anxious to get the big torpedo cruiser
Tupy, built for Brazil. She is one of t,
most formidable torpedo craft afloat, her
size placing her in the cruiser class, while
her torpedo armament gives her the addi-
tional effectiveness Of torpedo boat and
cruiser combined. 1t was learned positive
ly today, however, that the Brazilian gov
ernment would not part with the Tupy and
this closes the efforts for one Of the best