The Mena star., 1898-03-09
WRECK INQUIRY.
A Statement That It Will Disclose Facts
 to Shock the Civilized World.
MAINE BLOWN UP BY DESIGN
Cannon Bill Peace Measure-Rush to En- list-At the Scene of the Wreck Cabinet Moeting-General
 Order to Troops.

CHICAGO, March S.-Ihe cOrreSpOnd- ent of the Chicago Chronicle has tele- graphed the following from Washing ton:
 The feeling in the inner circles of the admin fstration is that the country is on the verge of war. Hostilities may begin next week or they may be postponed as late as the middle of April, but outbreak cannot be long post poned There is good authority for the state ment that congress will declare war against Spain soon after the report of the board of i, inquiry into the Maine disaster has been made public. President Mckinley has had In his possession since last night tran script of the evidence taken up to last Friday before the board of inquiry. which is seeking to discover the cause of the disaster to the bat tleship Maine in Havana harbor. That testi- mony is of the most startling character John w. Hulze, who was stenographer to the board Of inquiry, reached here last night from Key West and proceeded at once to the white house where he submitted a transcript of the evil denca to the president.
 This evidence shows that the Maine was not only blown up by design, but that her destruc- tion was the result of a carefully laid conspir- acy. in which a number of Spanish guerrillas and volunteers and at least one Spanish officer were implicated. When the full report of the board of inquiry Is made public 1t viii disclose facts which will shock the civilized world Aht CNiOcuCc nOW III L0c possession or PreS1- dent Mckinley has caused him to reverse completely his Cuban policy. It is now his be- lief that the final report of the board will be or such character as to compel this govern ment to declare and maintain war of aggres- sion against Spain. He considers that he has done all that could he expected of him to pre- vent war. Now he can see before him no other honorable course to be taken except that which leads to war. He will not hesitate to take it, his friends say no matter where it may lead
 Cannon Bill Peace Measure.
 WASHINGTON, March S.-There is lit tie doubt expressed among senators that the Cannon bill appropriating $50, 900, 900 will be promptly considered and speedily passed when it shall reach the senate. Many senators ex- press the opinion that the most ef- fectiye method of dealing with the question would be to take up and pass the bill immediately upon its receipt IF the senate without reference to committee. Some ots the members of the committee on appropria- tions expressed themselves as satisfied to have the measure takn this course, but others are of opii ion that none of the effects of the nt | ure will be lost to have the bill re red and reported in the regular w&r. Senator Allison. chairman of the committee, expressed the opinion that she bill should be referred, say ing that the committee would prob ably be able to report it within 24 hours A few senators said that they did not consider that the time had come for the actual appropriation of money for preparation for war, but they did not indicate any intention to antagonize the passage of the bill or seek to de- lay it. Senators who favor the bill say it is peace and not a war measure. Some expressed the opinion that it would be more effective if it carried S100, 900, 900 instead of $50, 900, ,000
 Big Rush to Enlist.
 NEW YORK, March S.-It was learned to-day that orders have been received at the navy yard from Washington to prepare two attachments of marines, one for the cruiser Columbia and one for the Minneapolis. There are be- tween 300 and 400 marines at the bar racks. The two detachments are mak- ing up and will be ready to start as soon as the order comes from Wash ington. There was big rush of men eager to enlist at the navy yard today. Before the gates were thrown open a crowd of men had gathered around, eager to be first to reach the recruit ing office on the receiving ship Yer mont Many of those who came had been at the yard yesterday and had been told to return. A few appeared in old uniforms. They were men who had formerly been in the service and had re-enlisted yesterday. All such are accepted almost at once.
 At the Scene of the Wreck.
 HAVANA, March S.-The United States naval court of inquiry into the loss of the battleship Maine, which is at present in session here, pursued in some respects, different course from that adopted upon the occasion of the former visit of the court to Havana. 1t is now not uncommon to see mem bers of the court on the wreck, person ally directing the navy divers and ob- taining from them direct reports on the structural condition of the sub merged portions of the wreck and making individual notes for future All sorts of excuses Ire made to get on board the wreck. but only authorized persons, American pr Spanish, are allowed to set foot on the remains of the battleship.
 The Cabinet Meeting.
 WASHINGTON, March S.-The cabinet was in session to-day fully an hour onger than usual. It is understood hat the situation was discussed in all 1