The age-herald., 1898-03-18
ON RAGGED EDGE
 OF EXPECTANCY No Results, Yet Nation Prepares
 for the Worst. -o.,,,,,o oo,o.ou FORMING OF SQUADRON Latest Move E Es icsd by Officials Oi
 Nso <. apartment.
 4s
 BOARD OF INQUIRIES REPORT Expected to Be in MCKinIey's Hands
 by Monday Next. PROCTOR EXPOSURE FANS THE FLAME Joe Wheeler offers Resolution for Interven- tion Which Will Be Squelched in For eign Affairs Committee Secre-
 tary Long a Song Writer.
Expected to Be in MCKinIey's Hands
 by Monday Next.
PROCTOR EXPOSURE FANS THE FLAME

Washington, March 17.-The situation is regarded here as reaching an acute cricis
 The president and the secretary of the navy decided today to form another squad- ron together at Hampton Roads. This is done for two reasons, the primary one be- ing for the further protection of Wash ington City the second being to have a flying squadron in case of a sudden attack on any of the eastern cities. To this end one battleship will be ordered from Key West.
 The force at Key West and Dry Tortugas will be strengthened by the smaller boats, the Marietta, the Machias, the Helena, and six torpedo boats The report that Spain has made request that this govern ment withdraw it's fleet from the vicinity of Cuba was verified today. The president yielded in the minor point of withdrawing the Montgomery from Havana, replacing 1t with the Fern, but he has emphasized his purpose to interfere in Cuban matters by strengthening the force near Cuba The fact that Spain has given it out through unofficial sources that she will not consider any proposition to sell the island accounts for the evident uneasiness in off, cial circles today, and the sudden determi- nation to assemble a squadron in easy dis tance of the cities of the Atlantic coast.
 Proctors Exposure
 Senator Proctor's exposure of the condi- tions of the Cubans has added to the fe- verish excitement here. His intimation that Mckinley is responsible for 100000 deaths which have occurred on the island in the past six months is taken as a warning to him that unless he intervenes forcibiy in Cuba the republicans in the senate will not support him.
 Nothing printed in any of the New York nn hnC accounts given by Senator Proctor today in the senate chamber.
 The report of the court of inquiry will reach here by Monday next but several days will be required for it's digestion by the president. On this report the president will base his message to congress.
 Senator Pettus' vote in favor of the bill to create the rank of lieutenant-general for Gen. Miles has been the occasion of much comment. Senator Pettus says he did so for the reason that it was shown to him that Miles did not fetter Jefferson Davis voluntarily, but followed the orders sent him by Charles A. Dana, then assistant secretary of war. Senator Pettus says he does not hold a subordinate responsible when obeyinS orders, and for the same reason he will vote for the bill when 1t comes up in the senate.
 Gen. Wheeler came forward with a reso- lution today authorizing the appointment
 
 without delay an address to Spain demand ing the immediate cessation of hostilities on the island of Cuba. The address is to be sent to Spain by the president with his indorsement While the resolution repre- sents the dominant sentiment in congress, it is not likely to be acted upon by the committee of foreign affairs, which is un- der the control of MT. Reed.
 Gen. Wheeler's resolution is as follows:
 Resolved, That a joint committee, con- sisting of five members of the senate, to be appointed by the vice-president, and five members of the house, to be appointed by the speaker, be created to report with out delay, to the two houses, an address to the government of Spain, declaring in firm and diplomatic language that Americans and that American interests in Cuba must be protected, and that the atrocities now being perpetrated in that island must cease. Resolved, That the executive be requested to immediately transmit this address to the government of Spain by such methods as he may deem most advisable, together with a letter of indorsement and approval of this action on the part of congress.
 Naval Officers Getting Festive
 The naval officers are getting very restive under the suspense, but in abeyance to the policy of the administration, there is noth- ing to do but wait. Tt seems pity" said one naval officer to whom I talked today, ito delay if war with Spain is indeed inev- itable We have every advantage now, and to wait much longer will give Spain time to concentrate her forces. At the present time her forces are divided and ours all concentrated. By striking now we could pen her two biggest battleships in Havana ha1bor and prevent the torpedo fiotilla from reaching there at all But of course there is nothing to do but wait and watch Spain mobilize her fleet. which w1li require