The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-19
10 STAY.
The President Decides that Con-
gress Must Remain in Session
And Share the Responsibility of
the Present Crisis.
M'KINLEY BELIEVES
That cit is Written in the
Book of Fate
That Cuba Shall Be Free and
the Methods
BY WHICH IT SHALL
Be Brought About Are What
He is Now Weighing.
viii Accomplish the End With
out War if Possible,
But Will Be Prepared for War
If 1t is Necessary.
That Cuba Shall Be Free and
the Methods
BY WHICH 1T SHALL
Be Brought About Are What
He is Now Weighing.
Will Accomplish the End With
out War if Possible,
But Will Be Prepared for War
If 1t is Necessary.

New York, March 1s-''While the
Maine disaster is inseparably linked
with the general Cuban question" says
the Washington correspondent of the
Herald, I was assured by a member
of the cabinet that the president would
deal with the former automatically be
fore making representations to Spain
concerning the independence Of Cuba.
The blowing up of the Maine is to be
used as an additional and final argu-
ment as to why a speedy end should be
brought to the war in Cuba.
President Mckinley, is anticipating
a decision which will show the cause of
the disaster to have been due to an
outside explosion, and that the court
will be unable to show what person or
persons committed the crime. A cabi-
net member told me that while the
president was preparing to make diplo-
matte representation to Spain on an
indemnity basis, he was not unmindful
of the possibilities of finding by court
which would make war unavoidable
and that the extraordinary military
and naval preparations were begun.
This official told me that only a decis-
ion showing positively direct connection
OF Spanish officials with the Maine dis
aster would prevent the president from
carrying out his determination to deal
with the Maine catastrophe in a strict
" legal and diplomatic way. 1t may be
further stated that the president hopes
and expects that this matter can be ad-
justed automatically.
I am informed that it is now the
purpose of the president to make con
gress jointly responsible for any action
in dealing with the general Cuban ques-
uOn which may result in war. He be-
heves that the independence of Cuba is
written in the book of fate He be-
GeveS that the blowing uD of the Maine
makes 1t imperative upon this country
to do something at the earliest date
possible to end the war in Cuba, but he
IS not convinced to the best means of
doing this without bringing on war
He has said that he will not be re-
spOnsIble for an 'unhOly war If the
United States is to be made response
bic for precipitating a war he desires
that congress shall share the response
bllity with him
Instead of issuing a proclamation
recognizing the independence of Cuba
as il has been frequently asserted he
would. President Mckinley is now of
the opinion that congress should take
the initiative. 1t is for that reason that
the administration has changed its Dro-
gramfne IN favor of an early adjourn
ment- am now assured that the pres
lueut wants congress to stay here until
the cuban question is in a fair way to
settlement There is no further doubt
that the holding of the Spanish torpedo
fiotilla at the Canaries. and the with
draWal of the battleships from the vi
cinIty of Cuba, was the result of an
agreement reached by the Washington
and Madrid governments.
The fact that Rear Admiral Sicard
mas remaining to him at Key West a
formidable squadron is due to the desire
OF the authorities to have a strong fleet
there when the report of the court of
inquiry IS read and the result of the
policy to be inaugurated by the presi-
dent has made itself apparent It has
been determined by the officials to con-
tlnue the sharp watch which has been
kept on the torpedo boat fiotiIIa. and
should they attempt TO move to Porto
Hlco, to make vigorous protest tO
Spain looking toward orders for their
immediate return to the Canarfes and
If Spain should refuse to comply with
these representations the plan prepared
by the officials cOntemplates not oDIv
the formation of a flying squadron. bIit
the despatch of cruisers to intercept
the torpedo dOtilla and destroy it."