The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-21

WASHINGTON, March co.-Pres'dens
Mckinley did mot attend church this
morning as Is his custom, but instead
spent two hours and more In conference
with several members OF the cabinet.
Assistant Secretary Day called about
1880 o'clock and remained until nearly
!. Secretary Long and Secretary Bliss
were the other members present. They
remained less than an hour. Commander
Clover, in, company with Mr.. Flint, who
has been acting FOR the government in
the negotiations for the purchase Of
ships also called and were shown into
the Presidents private Office. Tho mem
bers OF the cabinet on leaving the white
house said that there was no special sig
nitlcance in the meeting this morning.
The report. OF the Maine court of IN
quiry had not been received. nor was 1t
definitely known when It would reach
here. 1t was expected, however, carly.
in the present week and rs soon as re-
ceived Il would be handed at once to the
President and when It had been read
and considered byth President II would
be made public. Secretary Long In
speaking OF the report said that while
fully realizing Its Importance. the coun-
try. In his opinion, would willingly ac-
cord to the President n day or two IL
necessary for its consideration. The in
dications seem 20 be that the report Will
be made public by the middle OF the
present week.
The presence Of Mr.. Charles r. Flint
at the conference naturally gives infer
euce that the President and his advisors
were discussing the question of acquir-
ing additional ships. Mr.. Flint. whose
commercial interests are largely with
South American countries, Is believed
in 4 measure at least, to represent Chile
and the Argentine Republic in any neso-
tiatlons which are under way for the
disposition OF their war vessels. A re-
porter to-day asked Mr.. Flint IL he could
say whether or not the United States
had secured the Chilean ship O'Hlggins
and the Argentine ship San Martino, but
he declined TO make any statement as
to that particular feature OF the subject.
When pressed for some Information IN
regard to the matter he replied: Both
Chile and the Argentine Republic have
the warmest friendship and admiration
for the United States and her institu-
tions. Neither country 10 anxious to sell
their ships to this government, basing
this inolsposition on the belief that we
have an excellent navy OF our own. They
want their vessels themselves. II the
time should come. however. When st was
apparent that the United States needed
these vessels they would gladly part
with them 10 Us"
The attention OF Mr.. 'Tlint was cvalled
to the published report that the United
States would purchase the Brazilian tor
pedo boat Tuby. but this he said, would
not be done so FAR us he was aware. as
there were no negotiations under way to
that effect.
Aside from the meeting Of several
members OF the cabinet at the white
house there were no Incidents OF import
ance during the day. Judge Day. as
sistant Secretary Adee. Chief Clerk
Michael and other officials were at the
department., but this has been quite
common during the recent month. Also
at the war and navy departments q
number OF the chiefs OF bureaus were at
their desks for several hours. mainly for
the purpose Of dlspos!ng Of the business
which recently has accumlIaSed 50
rapidly.
The most interesting topic OF the day
was based on the dispatches from Ha-
vana indicating prospective conference
between General Pando and Generals
Garcia, Gomez and others of the !nsurs-
ent army for the purpose Of submitting
to tho latter formal offer OF autonomy.
The basis of autonomy as outlined in the
dispatches APPARENTLY found no credence
with the officials OF The Spanish legation.
They stated their disoelief that n confer
ence on the proposed lines was probable
and added that they had no inforua-
ton on the subject. Minister Polo y.
Bernabe expressed the opinion that the
report from Havana was unfounded. rs
he said the basls upon which It was pro
posed TO grant autonomy was absurd,