The herald., 1898-03-23
GENERAL PLAN FORMED
PENDING RECEIPT OF MAINE
REPORT
SOME ACTION WILL BE TAKEN
no Bring About More Satisfactory
Condition of Affairs in the
Island of Cuba
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 22-The cabine
meeting today lasted something over al
hour, and was devoted exclusively TO the
Spanish situation in general and to the
forthcoming report of the Maine court oi
inquiry. The tone of the discussion was
very firm, and 1t was determined that
there must an end to the present state OF
affairs in Cuba. Secretary Long authorized
the statement that the understanding be-
fore the cabinet was that the report would
reach Washington next Thursday or Fri
day that it was very voluminous, and that
the publication and transmission to con-
gress would not occur until next Monday
or Tuesday, as the president would require
that much time to give the document the
mature consideration which its momentous
consideration requires.
Other cabinet officers stated that the
general plan included the sending Of a
presidential message along with the re-
port, stating that Spain had been called
upon to make suitable response to the
case presented by the court of inquiry.
While the cabinet associates of the pres
ident maintained their usual reserve as to
the exact character of their deliberations.
yet 1t was conceded that the discussion
proceeded on the theory that the coming
report would show that the Maine explo-
sion was not the result of an accident, but
was due to an external cause. There Is
no doubt that substantial unanmity exists
among the president and his cabinet, both
as to the Maine question and the general
subject of Cuba.
ha NV Of n it1to
vention in case Spain declines to make
suitable response to the representations
we will make after receiving the Maine
report, has been fully discussed. although
necessarily it has been an abstract dis
cussion thus far, and no conclusion has
been reached, nor is 1t possible until the
vital question as to the courts findings
is before the president and the cabinet.
At the same time there Is a very evident
intention to consider all eventualities, in
cluding recourse to Intervention, the recog-
milton of Cuban independence, and other
methods which appear to suitably meet the
requirements of such a condition.
THE PRESIDENTS INTENTION
1t is believed to be the intention of the
president, however. to bring about very
material change and a satisfactory condi-
ton in Cuba by what shall seem to bQ
the best and most practicable method Of
obtaining this end. 1t is the hope of the
administration that Spain herself will so
far realize the situation as to see the neces-
sity for such radical action on her part
with respect to Cuba as shall command
the appreciation of this country and thus
at once put an end to all differences.
Pending a decision on the governments
final policy, no overtures or intimations
have been conveyed to the Spanish gov
ernment, and there is no official knowledge
as to how Spain would regard recognI-
tion Of Cuban independence or interven
tion.
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo Ber
nabe. requested today that statement
be made that reports attributins to him
expressions on the subject of independence
were unwarranted and untrue. Senor Ber-
nabe says he has not discussed this or any
other of the pending questions.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
Outside the cabinet meeting the day
was exceptionally quiet. Secretary Long
was able to clear his desk at $3.50 o'clock
for the first time since the Maine diaster
occurred, and he left the department be-
fore office hours closed to enjoy walk
During the afternoon the bureau of navi-
cation posted notice that the battleship
Massachusetts had sailed from Key West
for Hampton roads, following the Texas,
which left yesterday. About the same
time Commodore Schley, who has been
suggested as the probable commander of
the flying squadron" centered at Hamp-
ton roads, called at the department and
- x,,;tI
Roosevelt.
The cruiser Brooklyn is a. Newport News
and the monitor Puritan is under orders to
proceed there so that these vessels will be
near the Hampton Roads rendezvous if it
is determined to establish the squadron
there. Orders for this move have not yet
been given nor has Commodore Schley re-
ceived any information from officials that
he would be placed In command of the
squadron. The navy department continues
to keep informed as to the Spanish torpedo
fleet now stopping at the Canaries. Word
of it's departure has not yet reached the
department. 1t can be stated positively
that the report that President Mckinley
has protested against the coming of the
fotilla is unwarranted. There has been no
such protest. At the navy department
nothing Is known of the reported ordering
home Of the Maine officers now at Havana.
1t is said that these orders, If given would
come from Admiral Sicard and not from
the navy department. The seven Maine
survivors who arrived here last Saturday
came in response to orders from Admiral
Sicard and it was for this reason that their
arrival was surprise to the naval officers
here. 1t is not expected that Captain Sigs-
bee, Lieutenant-Commande Wainwright
and others who are assisting in the work of
wreckage will leave Havana until the SAL
wage of the Maine Is completed.
COALING STATIONS
Serious attention is being given by the
navy department officials to the question
of acquisition of a suitable location for a
coaling station somewhere in the West In.
dies. Steps have already been taken to es
tabish such station at the Dry Tortugas.
but this, it is said, 10 the only deep water
harbor available for big war vessels be-
tween Hampton Roads and the Rio Grande
Besides 1t is practically unprotected at
present, and fleet would have to he sta
toned there to protect the coal stored
which is unsatisfactory. The officials
therefore have been casting about for a
location which would serve the purposes of