The herald., 1898-03-25
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has been In command of the feet at Key
West throughout the critical period Oh the
Maine disaster. Captain Sampson has been
In command Of the Iowa, but more recently
has been conspicuous before the pubic as
president OF the Maine inquiry. Captain
Robley Evans is better known as Fighting
Bob
JOINT ACTION
The next important move was deter
mination to create q joint commission from
the war and navy departments so as to
bring them into harmonious action on all
measures. Captain Barker, the naval aid
Of Secretary Long, was designated to rep
resent the navy department in this COM
mon plan of action.
The representative of the war depart
ment has not yet been named. 1t will not
be necessary for these two officers to leave
Washington, as they can best arrange q
plan of action in conference with bureau
chiefs Of the two departments here.
AUXILIARY CRUISERS
Then, at the close of the day, came an an
nouncement that the navy department had
succeeded in purchasing eight steam yachts
and four tugs, presumably at or near New
York for use in the auxiliary naval fleet.
The boats are about 400 tons each and In
an emergency would be suitable as torpedo
boats. The yachts purchased are among
the feetest along the Atlantic coast and are
said to be somewhat similar to the May
flower, recently purchased from the ogden
Goelet estate.
This acquisition to the navy is regarded
rs an exceptionally valuable one at the
present time, as the greatest need Is felt
for small craft suitable as torpedo boats
and dispatch boats.
There was additional satisfaction at tho
navy department at the large number Sc
cured in single purchase. The names ana
amounts paid for the various yachts and
tugs are not disclosed, as it is said this
would prove an embarrassment to the gov
ernment in promoting speculation on other
craft for which negotiations are now pend
ing.
OFFICIAL CONFERENCES
Throughout the day the White House pre-
scented an animated appearance, senators
and representatives from both political
parties calling to confer with the president.
Among the callers were Senators Cullom,
Fairbanks, Aldrich, Jones of Arkansas and
9pooner and Representative Bailey, the
Democratic leader in the house.
The president said to several of his call
ers today in discussing the situation, that
he would do everything consistent with the
honor and dignity of the country to avert
war, and that he still believed the govern
ment Of Spain was as anxious for peace
as we were. At the same time he did not
hesitate to admit that he believes the re-
port of the board Of inquiry will find that
the Maine was blown up from the outside.
MKINLEY'S PROGRAM
His program has been definitely decided.
It is his purpose to treat the blowing up of
the Maine as an incident The report of the
board will be sent to congress on Monday
A very brief message. relating the events
leading up to that point and informing con-
gress that the facts contained in the re-
port have been cabled to Madrid to be laid
before the Spanish government by Minister
Woodford, will accompany it. No demand
will be made upon Spain, but the laying of
the facts before the Spanish government
will be equivalent to calling upon Spain for
an explanation and such action as she may
deem proper.
1t is the purpose of the house leaders to
refer the report and message to the COM
mittee on naval affairs without debate,
and to this purpose 1t is believed the Dem
ocrats of the house have acquieseed, re-
serving the right to demand action if the
report from the committee is too long de-
layed. Much will then depend upon
Spain's response, but there are those close
to the president who believe that from the
time the report is sent to congress it will
drop out as factor in the situation. The
second part of the presidents program
reaches the main question and involves in
tervention on humanitarian grounds with
in a week or ten days after the report of
the board goes to congress.
1t will be intervention to relieve the star
walton in Cuba, and upon Spain S acquies-
cence in, or objection to, this act will de-
pend peace or war. A prominent member of
the house said today that, in his opinion,
the next two weeks would determine which
1t would be.
WHAT IS EXPECTED
Such information as exists here leads
those close to the president to believe that
the Spanish government will go to any
length it dares to preserve peace. The
queen regent is especially anxious to pre-
vent war, and it is believed the ministry
will go just as far as it can without jeop-
ardizing its own existence and the survival
of the present Spanish dynasty.
The naval department was advised today
of the sailing of the monitor Terror from
New York for Key West; the arrival of the
Texas at Hampton roads and the Puritan
at Newport News, and of the monitors
Monadnock and Monterey at San Fran
cisco. The battleship Texas came up from
Key West, making an exceptionally quick
run for a vessel of her class.
The Spanish authorities here have been
Informed that some time ago Capt Sigsbee
asked permission to use dynamite in The
destruction of the wreck of the Maine This
for the reason. it is officially explained,
that, as there are evil-disposed persons
who insist that the Maine was blown I'M
from external causes, the Spanish author
tiles do not want the wreck DESTROYED as
1t affords all the evidence obtainabe as to
the actual cause of the disaster.
THE NEW COMMANDERS
1t develops that Capt. Evans orders to
take command of the Iowa had a sequel in
the assignment of Capt Sampson, present
commander of the Iowa, to succeed Ad-
mral Sicard in command of the North At
lantic squadron. This is probably the most
important assignment the department. has
made In many months. II is due mainly to
the findings of medical court now sitting