The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-16
SCHEME TO BUY CUBA.

President Mckinley no longer expects
war. A great and sudden change has
come over the administrators view OF
the situation. The explanation given is
the revival of the proposition to purchase
Cuba in new form. The suggestion now
is to have great syndicate of American
and European capitalists organized for
this purpose. Men who controlsthe dnan-
ces of the world believe they can end the
war in Cuba and prevent a war between
Spain and the United States by guaran
Teeing Cuba's war debt.
Former Governor Levi p. Morton, OF
this state, is said to be deeply interested
in this movement to preserve information
al peace. He has been in Washington
in frequent conference with the President
and Sir Julian PaIncefote and has met
the Spanish minister.
REPORT EXPECTED SOON.
S Washington, March 15-sThe general
expectation of the members of the cabi-
net" said one of them after the meeting
today, sis that some reports would be
received during the week from the court
of inquiry examining into the cause OF
the Maine explosion. Yet it would not
be surprising to us if the report should
he delayed for longer time. We have
nothing on which to base this hops that
know of, only the feeling seems gen.
eral that what 1 have said will be the
i
indicate what will be the finding of the
court. Today our time was occupied In
general discussion of measures under way
Tor national defence. notably, the
acquisition of new vessels OF war. We
are keeping an eye on the two ships I'M
der construction for Chilli and tho Argen-
tine Republic but it is not probable that
we can get them. If we cannot obtain
the ships it is a source of satisfaction to
know Spain will not be able 70 buy them
either.
LOOKING ATA THIRD SHIP.
London, March 15.-The United States
purchase of the Brazilian battleship "a
DE Maio, formerly the Abuidaban, th g
flagship of Admiral Molo, which has late
ly been reconstructed in England.
The Brazilian warship "a Do Maio is
a steel sheathed turreted vessel of 4, $50
tons displacement and $3.50 indicated
horsepower. She is $50 feet long, has
% feet beam, draws 18 feet of water, and
is driven by two propellers.
She was built in England in 1885 at a
cost of e345 600. Her armored belt is ii
inches in thickness, and she has from 10
to II l-2 inches of armOr over gun posi-
tilns. The deck plating is two inches
thick. Re armament consists of four "a
inch S mat guns, four 5. 5 inch guns, two
quick-ire guns, ard IS small raIi Id fire
guns. She has tive torpedo tubes, is esti-
mated to steam 10 knots, carries normal
supply of eco tons of coal, and her crew
numbers 800 men.
TO ESCORT AMAZONAS HOME.
Lisbon, March 15.-The United States
cruiser San Francisco sails from here to-
day, going in southwesterly direction
The War Department has decided to
compile to the defences of the port Of Lis
bon as speedily as possible.
Washington, March 15.--It is stated at
the Navy Department that the San Fran
clscois not going TO take southWesterly
course. but has been ordered to Great
Britain where she will make up crew
for the Amazonas, the Brazilian cruiser
purchased by the United States. 1t is
the lnteuton to have the San Francisco
attend the Amazonas across the Atlantic,
but this purpose is not decided on as yet.
MEXICANS SYMPATHIZE WITH US.
Guadalajara. Mexico, March 15.-An
classes of Mexican citizens sympathize
with the United States in its controversy
with Spain, and the alleged blowing up
of the Maine is called characteristic
Spanish trick.
All new pending matter is read and dis
cussed in the smallest towns and the
remarkable fact is that the Mexicans who
have been hitherto COOL III tielT iudulleS-
tations of regard for the United States,
publicly declare the United States should
punish Spain.
POWDER FOR THE SQUADRON.
New York, March 15.-Three hundred
thousand pounds of powder was shipped
today for Admiral Sioard's squadron.
the largest shipment of powder ever sent
from the Brooklyn navy yard. 1t was
placed on a special train on the PeDnsyl-
vania road, leaving this morning for Key
West The six-inch rifle which was
taken from the receiving ship Vermont,
was placed on fat car and shipped to
San Francisco for the Philadelphia. 1t
is to go through to the coast as quickly
as possible.
Constructor Bowles expects to have the
dry dock ready within month If no
leakage is shown by the 'wings" which
will be tested this afternoon. The de-
Snatch boat Dolphin is nearly finished. A
draft OF 35 men left for Philadelphia to-
day for the cruiser Columbia. This leaves
only rs men on the receiving ship YER
mont where only nine men were enlisted
yesterday.