The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-30

Aldrich, Jones OF Arksnsas and
Spooner. and Representative Bailey,
the Democratic floor leader in the
house Of representatives. The upper
mos. question ct all the conferences
was the Maioe disaster aud the antiei
pated action of the President 10 laying
the report before congress The COZ
ferences showed that the President
still hoped for peace. but there would
be 20 abatement Of preparation to meet
the other alternative.
The President said to several of his
visitors to-day, in discussing the situa-
,ion. that he would do everything con-
sietent With the honor and digoity of
the couotry to avert var. and be still
believed war could be avsrtsd. He
also said that he believed the govern
mens Of Spain was as anxious for peace
as We we're, but at the same time be
did not hesitate to admit the gravity of
the situation. The President frankly
acknowledges that he believes the re
port of the board Of irquiry will find
that the Maine was blown up from the
outside. His programme has been de-
6oitel3 decided. Il is his purpose to
treat the blowing up Of the Maine as an
incident. The report Of the board will
be sent to congress on Monday With q
very brief message, relating the events
leading up 20 that point aud Informing
congress that the facts contained in the
report have been cabled to Msdrid to be
laid before the Spanish government
by Minister Woodford. No demand
Will be made upon Spain, bet the lay
Ing of the facts before the Spanish
government will be equivalent to call
ing upon Spain for 80 explanation aud
such action as she may deem proper
It is the purpose of the house leaders
to refer the report aud message to the
committee oa foreign affairs without
debate. aud to this purpose it is be.
lieved the Democrats Of the house have
acquiesced. reservipg the right to de-
mapd action if a report from the CON
m;ttee is too long delayed
Much will then depend upon Spain's
response, but there are those close to
the President who believe that from the
time the report is sent to congress it
will drop out as factor in the situa.
tion. The second part Of the Presi-
dents programme removes the Maine
question aud Involves Intervention on
Humanitarian grounds within g week or
10 days after the report Of tho board
goes to congress-. 1t will be interveu-
ton to relieve the starvation 10 Cuba
aud apon Spain's scquiescerce in or OBJ
jso:ion to this act will depend peace or
war. A prominent member Of the
house said today that, in his opinion,
the next two weeks would determine
which it would be.
Such information as exists here leads
those close to the President to believe
that The Spanish government will 60
to any length it dares to preserve
peace. The queen regent is especially
anxious TO prevent var and it is be-
lieged the ministry will 60 just as far
as i. can without jeopardiz'cg its own
existence and the survival OF the pres
eut Spanish dynssty.
With the repoi. in Washington to-
night, it will be laid before the cabinet
at the regular meeting at II o'clock to-
rorsow, and st that time the Presi-
dent and his advisers will begin the
grave work of weighing the conc!us-
ions reached and deternioing the ao-
too that is to be taken. The formal
plao of its transmission to congress
uexs Monday is already arranged, bat
With the report aud evidence before
them, the President and his advisers
70, the fret time will be 10 position
to outline the character of the message
which is to accompany the subnlssIcc
of the report to congress and to ar-
range definite plans Of detailed proceed
urc. which as yet has 40. been worked
out.
The Spanish Authorities here have
been informed that some time sssso
Capt. Sigsbee asked permission to use
dynamite 10 the destruction Of the
wreck Of the Maine. This vas refused
by Captain General Blanec for the req.
500, it is officially explained. that as
there ere evil disposed persons who iu-
sist that the Maine was blown Up from
external causes the Spanish authorities
do not want the wreck destroyed, as il
affords all the evidence obtainabla as &c
the actual cause of the disaster.
Washington. March 22.-The ne
gotiations for the purchase of ships
abroad is going steadily forward, but
there was a regretable disappoint.
ment in this connection to day. The