Evening journal., 1898-03-23
TALKED ABOUT CUBA
McKiniey's Cabinet Discusses
the Spanish Question.
WAITING FOR The COURTS REPORT.
Phe President Has Determined to inter-
fere In Behalf of the Cubaus-Quiet
Day In washington-Move-
ments of the Fleet.

over an hour and was devoted exclu-
sively to the Spanish situation In gen
eral and to the forthcoming report OF
the Maine court of inquiry IN particu-
lar. The tone Of the discussion was
very firm and determined that there
must come an end TO the present state
of affairs in Cuba. Secretary Long au-
thorized the statement that the under
standing before the cabinet was that
the report would reach Washington
next Thursday or Friday; that II was
very yoluminous. and that its publica-
tion and transmission TO congress
would not occur until next Monday or
Tuesday, as the president would re-
qulre that much tlme TO give the docn-
ment the mature confederation us
momentous character required. other
cabinet officers stated that the general
plan Included the sending of.a presi-
Dental message with the report stat
Ing that spain had been called upon to
make suitable response 10 the case
presented blythe court Of inquiry. While
the cabinet associates Of the president
maintained their usual reserve as 20
the exact character Of the deliberations,
yet It was conceded that the discussion
proceeded on the theory that the COM
ing report would show that the Maine
explosion was not the result of an ac-
oident, but was due 10 an external
cause.
There Is no doubt that substantial
unanimity exists on the part Of the
president and all his cabinet both as
TO the Maine question and the general
subject OF Cuba. The possibility OF
recourse 20 Intervention In case Spain
should decline 20 make suitable re-
sponse 10 the representations we Will
make after receiving the Maine report
has been fully discussed, although nee
essarily II has been an abstract dis
cusslon thus far, and no conclusion has
been reached or Is possible until the
vital question as TO the courts findings
IS before the president and cabinet.
At the same time there Is a very evil
dent intention TO consider all eventuali-
ties including the recourse TO inter-
vention. the recognition Of Independence
and other methods which appear 10
suitably meet the requirements OF such
a condition. 1t is believed to be the
intention OF the president, however, to
bring about a very material and satis-
factory condition In Cuba by what shall
seem to be the best and most practca-
BILE method Of obtaining this end. II Is
Spain herself will so far realize the
situation as TO see the necessity for
such radical action on her part with
respect to Cuba as shall command tho
appreciation Of this country and thus
at once put an end TO all differences.
Pending a decision on the govern
ments final policy, no overtures or in
timations have been conveyed to the
Spanish government. and there Is no
official Knowledge as TO how Spain
would regard recognition OF Cuban
independence or Intervention.
The Spanish minister, SenOr Polo, has
requested that a statement be made
that reports attrlbuting to him express
sions on the subject of independence
were unwarranted and untrue. Senior
Polo says he has not discussed this or
any other OF the pending questions.
outside Of the cabinet meeting the
day was exceptionally quiet. Secretary
Long was able to clear his desk at $3.50
o'clock for the first time since the Maine
disaster occurred. and he left the de-
partment before office hours closed to
enjoy a walk.
During the afternoon the bureau Oh
navigation posted the notice that the
battleship Massachusetts had sailed
from Key West for Hampton roads, fol-
lowing the Texas About the same time
Commodore Schley. who has been sug-
gested as the probable commander OF
the "hying squadron" centered at
Hampton roads, called at the depart
ment and had a conference with Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt. The cruiser
Brooklyn is at Newport News, and the
monitor Puritan is under orders to pro-
ceed there, SO that these vessels will be
near the Hampton roads rendezvous IL
It Is determined TO establish the squad
ron there Orders for this movements
have not yet been made. however. nor
has Commodore Sohley received any in
formation from officials that he would
be placed In command of the squadron
The navy department continues to
keep Informed as to the Spanish tor
pedo fiotilla now stopping at the Cana
ries. Word of the departure has not
yet reached the department. 1t can
be stated positively that the report that
President Mckinley has protested
against the coming of this notilla Is un-
warranted. There has been no such pro.
test. At the navy department nothing
Is known of the reported ordering home
of the Maine officers now at Havana
- - otiAA AhaA NliNEt 0lQtAH TT ElNtk
would come from Admiral Sicard anC
not from the navy department TIL,
several Maine survivors who arrived
here last Saturday came In response I,
orders from Admiral Sicard, and il wa.
for this reason that their arrival was .
surprise TO the naval officials here. 1
is not expected that Captain Sitsbee
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright
and others who are assisting in tn
work Of wreckage will leave Havan,
until the salvage Of the Maine is com
pleted.
Serious attention is being given by tn
navy department officials TO the ques
tion OF the acquisition OF a suitable 10
cation for coaling station somewher
in the West Indies Steps have bee
taken already 20 establish such a sta
tion at the Dry Tortugas, but this.
is said. Is the only deep water harbo
available for big war vessels betwee
Hampton roads and the Rio Grand,
Besides. it is practically unprotected q
present. and a fleet would have to 4
stationed there TO protect the coal stoi
ed which is unsatisfactory. The off
cfols therefore have bepn casting n no,