Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-25
GREAT ACTIVITY.
scoNrlNuEp rRoM rIRsr rAeD9

from New York for Key West; the ar
Y rival OF the Texas at Hampton Roads
md the monitor Puritan at Newport
News and Monadnock aud Monterey a
r San Francisco. The battleship TeXas
came UP from Key West. making an ex-
teptlonally quick run for a vessel OF her
class.
SPAIN AND THE MAINE WRECK.
The Spanish authorities here have been
Informed that some time ago. Captain
Sigsbee asked permission Ia use dyna-
mite in the destruction OF the wreck or
tho Maine. This was refused by Cap
tain General Blanco, for the reason, Il Is
officially explained that as there are evil
disposed persons. who insist that the
Maine was blown up from external
causes, the Spanish authorities do not
want the wreck destroyed, as II AFFORDS
all the evidence obtainable as 10 the
actual cause Of the disaster.
GRAVITY OF SITUATION ADMITTED.
The President said TO several Of his
visitors to-day, in discussing the situa-
ton, that he would do everything con-
sistent with the honor and dignity Of the
country 10 avert war and ne still be-
lieyed war could be averted. lie also said
that he believed the Government OF
Spain was as anxious for peace as we
were. but at the same time he did not
hesitate TO admit the gravity Of the sit
nation.
The President frankly Acknowledges
that he believes the report OF the board
OF inquiry will find that the Maine was
blown up from the outside.
PRESIDENTS PROGRAMME.
His programme has now been definitely |
been decided. II is his purpose TO treat |
the blowing mp Of the Maine as an |
Incident The report Of the board will /
be sent TO Congress on Monday, with
very brief message. relating the events
leading up 10 that point. and informing
Congress that the facts contained in the
report have been cabled to Madrid, TO be
laid before. the Spanish Government by
Minister Woodford No demand will be
Spain, but the laying Of the
facts before the Spanish Government will
be equivalent 70 calling upon Spain for an
explanation and such action as she may
deem proper
II is the purpose of the House leaders
to refer the report and message to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, without
debate. and In this purpose II is believed
the Democrats Of the House have
scquiesced, reserving the right to demand
action. If a report from the committee is
too long delayed. Much will then depend
upon Spain's response. but there are
hose close 10 the President who believe 5
hat from the time the report is sent to /
Congress. It will drop out as a factor in {
he situation. s
The second part Of the Presidents pro- 5
,ramme reaches the moin question and I
invites Intervention on humanitarian \
rounds, within a week or ten days after Z
he report OF the board goes to Congress. [
viii be intervention TO relieve the {
tarving Cubans. and upon Spain's ac- i
uiescence i'm or objection TO this act viii T
epend peace or war A prominent men, q
err of the House said to-day that i'm his g
pinion the next two weeks would deter n
line which it would be. b
such Information as exists here leads L
rose close to the President 90 believe 81
lat the Spanish Government will go to II
ny length IL dares to preserve peace. OF
he Queen Regent is especially anxious 10 CO
event war, and il is believed the minis III
y will go just as far as il can, without
opardizing its own existence and the
RIVAL Of the present Spanish dynasty.