New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-19
PRICE THREE CENTS.
A HOPEFUL VIEW TAKEN.
THE CABINET DISCUSSES RELATIONS
WITH SPAIN


INDEMNITY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
THE NAVAL PERSONNEL. AND
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILLS
my TELEGRAPH TO THE rnrbuxrI
washington. March 1S-The President and
the Cabinet spent two hours to-day discussing
the latest turns in the complicated tangle OF
spanish relations but few or no conclusions
We're reached. and the announcement was made
at the close Of the meeting that nothing had de-
veloped to change the policy or attitude Of the
Administration in any way. The rumor that a
partial report from the Maine Court Of Inquiry
would reach the President tomorrow was off,
cially denied and one member Of the Cabinet
said that the findings Of The Court would not
be forwarded to Washington within The next
three or four days The soml authoritative an
nouncement cabled last night from Madrid that
the Spanish Government would not consider q
demand for an indemnity for the loss of the
Maine was not taken very seriously by the
President and his advisers. who expect 10 be
encountered. when demand for compensation
Is presented, simply by some time killing propo-
sition TO submit the question ~ SPANS official
liability b. a neutral arbiter. That the Spanish
Ministry will seek TO make the payment of In
demnity for the Maine the subject ~ diplomatic
negotiations cannot be doubted. and how per-
emptory a character the Administrators re-
quest for reparator VIII take can he determined
only by the drf; ~ the disclosures In the Samp-
Boards report
A THIRD SQUADRON TO BE FORMED
The division Of the available fee; in rhS
Atlantic into two squadrons ordered Yesterday
by the Secretary Of the Navy VIII be completed
in the near future by the assemblage of a third
Royal S. c. II is held that the establishment OF
a squadron base at Hampton Roads Will furnish
effective protection for the harbors OF the
Northern coast. and will liberatc for active sec
service the monitors which had been ASSIGNED
In the defence - the ports Of Philadelphia New
York and Norfolk. II IS thought that the moni-
tors Puritan, Terror and Mantonomoh and the
ram Katahdin will form the additional squad
ron off Port Royal
The Assistant Secretary Of the Navy, Mr.
Roosevelt. made another argument to-day before
the House Committee on Naval Affairs in favor
ing the immediate passage Of the Naval Reor-
ganization or Personnel bill: but the prospect
that the measure wifi become law at once
seems far from brilliant. II is likely however
that both branches Of Congress will quickly
approve the Army bill, prepared by the War
Department. which raises the strength Of the
regular forces in time Of 104.Opo men.
NAVAL COMMITTEES CHANGE OF POLICY.
Tho Committee on Naval Affairs Of the House
OF Representatives has become a focus Of public
interest. One day certain line of policy IN rs-
gard to appropriations and legislation is adopt.
ed. or supposed to be adopted only 10 be fol.
lowed next day by reversal of that policy ana
the adoption Of something different. One OF
these lightning changes occurred to-day. and.
like those which preceded IL. IL appears TO have
been due to extraneous influences Early in the
afternoon Assistant Secretary Roosevelt ap-
peared In the committee-room and expressed q
desire 70 address the committee He explained
the purport of his mission to Chairman Bou.elle.
who received him cordially, and suggested that
they consult Speaker Reed. who is the parlia-
mentary leader as well the official head Of
the House OF Representatives This was done.
and the consultation lasted for an hour or more.
What Mr.. Roosevelt strongly desired was 10
discover some method by which the Naval Per.
sonnel bill could be engrafted on and made q
part of the Naval Appropriation bill AS chair
man Of the Board which had prepared the draft
of the former measure (Which however, has not
yet received the mature consideration or ap-
proval Of the Naval Committee). Mr.. Roosevelt
felt not only an intense interest In it's
speedy passage, but firm and sincere belief
that 1t was absolutely necessary, and that delay
might be fatal. He submitted his case to the
Speaker with his customary spirit and energy
and enthusiasm, all OF which produced a consid-
cradle impression.
Among other things in summing the matter
up, Mr. Roosevelt said that II It were found i'm
practicable to fasten the Personnel bill as Q
rider the Appropriation bill. the Department
would prefer 10 withdraw that part Of Secre-
tary Longs recommendation OF Tuesday which
OF the provisions relating TO the enlistment OF
100 machinists for the Engineer Corps and the
reinforcement OF that corps from the cadet
engineers. 1t was explained TO Mr.. Roosevelt
that under the rules OF the House n point Of
order would be fatal TO the proposed rider
SATISFACTORY DECISION REACHED.
After the conference with the Speaker Mr.
Roosevelt appeared before the Naval Committee.
and there repeated his arguments in favor Of
the alternative propositions above mentioned.
The result was that the committee unanimously
voted in favor OF the latter proposition. and.
in response 10 the latest desire OF the Navy De-
as expressed by the Assistant Secre-
tary. decided to defer action on the Personnel
bill until after the Appropriation bill had been
finished and reported 10 the House This action
appeared to restore harmony, which had been
lacking in the committee. and also
TO be entirely satisfactory to Mr.. Roosevelt
who spoke TO a group OF newspaper men on the
subject in the corridor outside the committee
room.
The elimination OF the provisions relating TO
the Engineer Corps will not affect those which
provide for the increase Of the Pay and Medical
,orps or for the increase Of the number ot en-
listed men and apprentices Mr.. Roosevelt is to
send to the chairman OF the Naval Committee
tomorrow a letter from Secretary Long en-
bodying the revised recommendations OF the
Department as above outlined In regard TO the
Increase Of the enlisted force II Is not improb-
able that the committee will recommend the en-