The herald., 1898-03-23

he in return, by this time. has probably
communicated the news to the Spanish
government with an animation that it
must be prepared to present a satis-
factory reply within few days.
1t is commonly supposed at the Navy
Department that there will be no de-
parture from the usual custom Of having
the report Of the Court of Inquiry come
to Washington In the custody Of the
Judge Advocate. 1t would be great
surprise IL the report reached here in
any other way or was received before
Thursday, the day set for it's reception
by Secretary Long, who has explained
that his estimate Of the date of arrival
Is based on information in his possess
sion.
1t is a significant fact that after the
different conferences at the White House
yesterday, there was demand upon the
Congressional Library for all records
bearing upon the action of Congress in
declaring war with Great Britain and
Mexico, which are the only precedents
in the history Of the country. Some of
the very men who conferred with the
President in the morning were, during
the afternoon, looking at the declaration
Of war with Great Britain and the dec
laration by Congress that war actually
existed through the acts Of Mexico.
The sentiment of those who were called
upon by the President 1t has been learned
was, that 1t would be extremely difficult
to separate the catastrophe to the Maine
from the general condition of the island,
and that whatever might be the plans
Of the President in this regard, Con-
gress and the people would almost GER
tainly couple the two together. 1t was
also quite evident to those who called
on Mr.. Mckinley that he has reached
the stage where he is willing to inter-
vene to bring peace to the island.
LEADERS IN. COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Senators
Allison and German saw the President
today by appointment. The President
desired to consult them regarding the
present Cuban situation, as he had been
consulting others. Little could be
learned concerning the nature of the
conference, but tits known the Presi-
dent desires the views of leading men
Of both parties at this time on the sit
uation, which is considered very criti-
cal.
No official information as to the ma
ture of the Maine report has been re-
ceived, but the assumption is that the
board will say it was an outside explo-
sion without fixing the responsibility.
CABINET SESSION
WASHINGTON, March 22-The Cab
met session today was even shorter than
usual. All the members arrived prompt
ly at II o'clock, but before noon the Sec
retaries of State and Navy had left for
their respective departments and other
members followed soon. The statement
was again made by several members
that 1t was not expected that the Maine
report would be here until some time
next Thursday, and that in all proba-
bility the President would require until
Monday at least to give 1t proper con-
sideration. 1t therefore may be ex-
pected that ON Monday or Tuesday at the
latest the report, which is said to be very
voluminous, will be transmitted to Con-
gress, together with a message from the
President. indicating that it's substance
has been communicated to the Spanish
government through Minister Wood
ford at Madrid, and further that he had
indicated that this government would
expect prompt reply to the findings of
the court. This will be substantially the
course pursued In case the report shows
that the disaster came from outside
causes.
While no one having knowledge Of the
matter is willing to speak for the Presi-
dent, 1t is believed that the question of
arbitration in connection with the Maine
a q ut {o nn 1rn
ton. The recent speech of Senator
Proctor seems to have cleared the minds
Of the members of the administration
as to the real conditions in Cuba, and It
is now belived that the disaster to the
Maine will be treated only as an in
cident to the main question. It is as
serted that the two are SO intimately
connected that one necessarily involves
the other. and it Is believed to be the
Presidents purpose to bring about In
whatever action he may take, a settle-
ment of the whole Cuban question.
Whether this involves war with Spain,
it is believed, rests entirely with Spain
herself. Persons closely associated with
the administration believe that Spain
will ultimately be compelled to solve the
Cuban problem herself and to the en-
tire satisfaction of this government, or
take the consequences of Intervention.
A CUBAN MESSAGE
CHICAGO, March ga Washington
special to the Daily News says:
President Mckinley is preparing a
message on the Cuban situation. 1t will
be sent to Congress 1t is thought, inde-
pendent Of the Maine inquiry and will
relate to Intervention.
One Of the Presidents official advisers
said today the message would probably
go beyond the recognition OF the inde-
pendence Of the island and interyen-
ton.
II Will be one Of the most remarkable
state papers since Lincoln's administra-
laon." said this informants ''and win