Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-25
Leaders In Congress Seen With Reference
to Unanimity Of Action.
PRESIDENT HOPES TO AVERT War.
Preparations For 1t, However, Will Not
Be Interrupted.
MAINE REPORT IN WASHINGTON.
II VIII BE Sent TO Congress Monday
Question of Intervention I'm Cuba
win he Considered independently
and Later.
and Later.

WASHINGTON, March 2l-The last day
before the arrival OF the report OF tho
Maine court Of inquiry was one OF un-
exampled activity In all official quar-
ters. Advices came early that the span-
ish torpedo flotilla had sailed from tho
Canarles for Porto Rico. and from shis
moment the most energetic warlike mea-
sures followed each other in constant
succession. The movement OF this deea
had been watched with the keenest In
rl0us possibilities, which might compel
the United States Government TO protest
against it as OF o hostile character.
Immediately on the receipt OF an official
dispatch from one of our naval attaches
abroad briefly announcing the sailing of
the fleet, the fact was made known to
the President, and an earnest conferences
was held between him and Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt.
The seriousness of the movement was
fully considered, and the President was
advised that naval strategists considered
Il important that this torpedo fleet should
not be allowed to reach western waters.
What cohclusion was reached is not
known.
Later IN the day. the Spanish Minister,
Senior Polo Bernabe. called AT the state
Department and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t Is naturally inferred that
the approach of the Spanish notilla was
one of the subjects referred TO. Whether.
however. there was any suggestion
against this move was not disclosed by
either Judge Day or the Spanish Minister,
both Of whom maintained the strictess
retieence regarding their conference.
NAVAL ORDERS.
Following the fiotilla announcement. I'M
nortant news came rapidly. The nrss
was this announcement by Secretary
Long indicating the placing OF our squad-
ron and ne,t on a war-footng:
admiral stcard has beer granted leave,
0erv much to the regret OF the Navy De-
partment. on account of III health.
"Captain Sampson has been made conr
nander of the feet at Key West. CAPS
tain Evans has been ordered TO take coni-
mand of the battleship Iowa
The orders TO the squadron In hampton
Roads have not yet been issued.
hl,hough the announcement did not 50
stare. II soon became known that COM
modore w. s. schley was slated 10 COM
mani the flying squadron.
rrhis announcement was recognized as
ofaunusual importance at this juncture.
Admiral Sicard has been In command OF
tba Neet AT Key West throughout the
critical neriod Of the Maine disaster. Cap
,otn samnson has been In command or
me Iowa. but more recently has been con-
sricuous before the public as president OK
The Maine Board Of Inquiry. Captain ROD
lev ID Evans is better known as "flght-
ing Bob -
THE next important movement was
determination 20 create Jolnt conlnls'
sion from the War and Navy depart
ments. so as to bring them into harmo'
nious action on all measures. Sap'air
Barker. the naval aid. OF secretary bon$'
was designated 10 represent the navy pe
nartment I'm this common plan OF action
IT,, ranrasentatiye OF the War Depart
,,,ont has not vet been named. IL VIII NOT
ha necessary for these two ofhcers 10
ina,,a washington, as they can best ar
range n Joint plan Of action In conference
ar,Ib the bureau chiefs OF the two DEPART
ments here.
PURCHASE OF SMALL CRAFT.
Then at the close Of the day. came en-
onnorncement that the Navy Department.
Rad succeeded I'm purchasing eight steam
yachts and four steam tugs. presumably
~ and near New York, for use In tno
suxiIiorv naval feet. The boats are OF
ahout 40O tons each, and I'm an emergency
,,'o,ld he suitable for use as torpeoo-
,ao,s The yachts purchased are among
- aootest along the Atlantic coast, ana
80 sotd 10 be somewhat similar 10 tha
Naveover. recently purchased OF the w
~, C;oelet estate This acquisition TO tho
rov,, a. regarded as an exceptionally
valuable one at the present time as tn'
greatest need is felt for small crait SUIT
sble for use as torpedo and dlspatchs
boats. The names and amounts paia ior
The various yachts and tugs are not dis-
closed
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCES.
throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance, sena-
tors and Representatives OF ootn poilu-
cal parties calling 10 confer WIN the
President Among the callers were sena-
tors CuIlom. Fairbanks, Lodge. Aldrich.
Tores OF Arkansas, and Spooner and
Representative Bailey, the Democratic
loor leader in the House Of Representa-
tiyes.
The uppermost question at all the con-
ferences was the Maine disaster. and the
anticipated action OF the President IN
laying the report before Congress Inc
conferences showed that the Pfesiaent
stiIl hopes for peace. but that there viii
be no abatement OF preparations TO meet
the other Alternative.
MAINE REPORT ARRIVES.
With the report in washington tonight,
Il will be laid before the Cabinet al the
regular meeting al II o'clock Tomorrow,
and at that time the President and his
advisers will begin the grave work cf
weighing the conclusions reached. and
determining the action thar is 70 %
taken. The formal plan OF It's transmis'
sion TO Congress next MONDAY 10 already
arranged. but with the report and the
evidence before them. the President ana
his advisers. for the first time. viii be ~
a position 10 outline the enaractes 9f
the message which Is 70 accompany the
submission OF the report 20 Congress, ana
10 arrange defnite plans OF detailed pro~
cedurs. which as yet has not been work
cd out.
The Navy Department was advised to-
day OF the sailing OF the monitor Terror