The herald., 1898-03-20

Spain concerning the independence VI
Cuba. The blowing up Of the Maine is
to be used as an additional and final ar
gument as to why speedy end should
be brought to the war in Cuba. Presi-
dent Mckinley is anticipating decis-
ion which will show the main cause of
the disaster to have been an outside ex-
plosion and the court will be unable to
show what person or persons committed
the crime. A Cabinet member told me
that while the President was preparing
to make diplomatic representations to
Spain on an indemnity basis, he was
not unmindful of the possibilities of
findings by the court which would make
war unavoidable and that the extraordi-
nary military and naval preparations
were consequently begun.
"This official told me that only de-
cision showing positively direct connec-
ton of Spanish officials with the Maine
disaster would prevent the President
from carrying out his determination to
deal with the Maine catastrophe in II
strictly legal and diplomatic way. 1t may
be further stated the president hopes
and expects that this matter can be
adjusted automatically.
II am informed that 1t is now the pur-
pose of the President to make Congress
jointly responsible for any action which
may be taken in dealing with the general
Cuban question. which may result in
war. He believes that the independence
of Cuba is written in the book of fate.
He further believes that the blowing up
of the Maine makes it imperative upon
this country to end the war in Cuba, but
he is not convinced as to the best means
of doing this without bringing on war.
"I1e has said that he will not be re-
sponsible for an 'unholy war If the
United States is to be made responsible
for precipitating a war, he desires that
Congress shall share the responsibility
with him.
DETERMINED DEMOCRATS
NEW YORK, March 9.-Representa-
tive Richard P. Bland Of Missouri last
night dictated the following statement
concerning the Cuba-Spanish situation
to a Washington correspondent Of the
| World:
1--WE are waiting for the report of this
Commission of Inquiry which is sur
posed to be hard at work probing for
the facts in the Maine disaster. When
1 say we, I mean the Democrats of the
House.
1--WE are not pressing matters, because
we want to hear what this board has to
say. We want to know whether it Is
going to find the Spaniards guilty or
blameless, and we want to know other
things in this connection.
"What the administra ton proposes to
do, of course, do not know; but unless
it drives the Spaniards out of Cuba, the
people of this country are going to ask
the reason why, and their demands will
be strong and emphatic.
II do not believe Congress will adjourn
until it knows what the President is
going to do for Cuba. I believe these
sentiments I have just given voice to
are those Of the House of Representa-
tives."
DOES NOT FEAR WAR
CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 19.-Be-
fore his speech to the members of the
Chamber of Commerce here Secretary
Gage talked very briefly on the pending
crisis and frankly declared that he did
not believe present complications with
Spain would lead to war.
There is no reason to believe we are
going to have trouble" he said. 1.-THE
these war talks and they understand
that it means little or nothing. There
is, of course, possibility of war, and
if it comes, the financial resources of
the government are equal to any emerg-
ency which may confront US. President
Mckinley would doubtless ask for and
get any appropriation he wanted. Our
credit abroad is Of the very best, as evil
denced by the standing of our bonds.
The price quotations on government Sc
curities is the best sign of the excellent
condition of the government Business
interests have not as yet been seriously
affected by the possibilities Of war"
ROBLEDO DOES FEAR
BERLIN, March 19.--The Anzeiger
publishes dispatch from Madrid CIV
ing the substance of an interview with
Senior Romero Robledo, former Minis
ter of Justice, in which he classes Gu