Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-25
IN CABINET MEETING
full Discussion Of the Maine
Disaster.
CONSIDERING FUTURE ACTION
The Presidents Attitude as Learned
by His Associates.
FEELING In THE DEPARTMENTS
Nothing Received This Morning
From Havana.
FEELING In THE DEPARTMENTS
Nothing Received This Morning
CROWNINSHIELD'S ARRIVAL

The public will not have to wait much
longer to learn the official opinion of the
Maine disaster.
The President and cabinet believe that
they will know the verdict Of the court of
inquiry by Wednesday or Thursday of next
week.
That was probably the most interesting
opinion resulting from the deliberations of
the official directors of the government at
their session today. Every member Of the
cabinet surrounded President Mckinley
when the hour arrived for the cabinet TO
meet. Practically every minute of the
hour-and-a-half session was devoted TO
talking of the situation today. The gray-
fty of the situation is fully recognized by
every member of the cabinet and the talk
IN the cabinet room was along lines which
cooi-headed statesmen take when emer-
gency confronts them.
Not new fact was brought out" said
three members of the cabinet to a repre-
sentative of The Star But in conversation
later each of these officials manifested moro
anxiety than was evident at the cabinet
session last Friday. when every member
expressed the opinion that the explosion
on the Maine was an accident.
Today the President and cabinet hold To
the same view, but there is not the same
tenacity- The facts which are daily devel-
oplhs' although unofficial. are making i'm
PressIohs upon the minds of the big men
VINO guide the administration. The same
men who week ago were confident of The
aceiueht theory have today made up their
minds that they may have to change their
opinions before a great while. As drippins
water soon wears away a stone. so il is
hDi
papers are having effect. This does NOT
mean that the cabinet officials nave
changed front already, but it is a fact that
they stand in more of an attitude of nx,
pectancy than ever before
1t is emphaticaIly denied that anvtb,ro
was laid before the cabinet from General
Lee giving 1t as his opinion that the Maine
was down up from the outside II is also
"ehieo that there was anything official from,
any source indicating that this is going ,o
be shown. ~
Preparations Are Admitted
Cabinet members no longer rid,c,,o 49,
statements that preparation ia be,ns 49,
IN case OF certain contingencies. Today
they admit that certain precautions ar. h.
ing taken They do. however. saw that all
tnat mas been done so far has been greatly
exaggerated They now admit that tho
eo'erHment would be in position tn be
a'iohsiy condemned If II did not b.y.
'hihss IN shape for whatever occurs. Tbes.
precautions are not based on whs, tho
esiueht and cabinet believe is to take
S"ee' out on the basis that a nation should
epiepared ior trouble in time of peace.
VIII Demand Indemnity.
IL is believed that the cabinet went for
enough In its discussion TODAY as 70 80,
idte on the course to be followed in c,s.
one 'erolct or the court of inquiry shows
tiiat 'he Maine disaster was brought ahout
0Ai 'he OUTSIDE This is at least a small
ifoih the position a week ago. TIN.
eSiueht ooes not care to be unprepared
io{ all events. and that is why discussion
Vi "hat shall be done was more or less
talked over. The opinion holds In ,be
MIND OF every cabinet officer that the Presi-
cent will Immediately, in this event male
demand upon Spain for the payment or
indemnity
ms demand. it can be positively stated.
must De acted upon by Spain without eou,.
vocation or delay. II Spain asks q short
Tune for consideration it NAV he given
but the President is determined. if the
iacts prove crime, that Spain shall nor
nave opportunity to play with this country
III any way lhe country of the dons must
say we VIII or we will not" II If is
the latter then the President will COM
munieate every fact to Congress. which
Will declare war and make appropriations
to carry on TIE conflict
While all the foregoing may be consider
ed In the domain of speculation. ii is such
speculation as has been INDUCED in nv
cabinet officers. whereas a week ago thew
Souid nave laughed at even speculation OF
this kind.
Quieter Feeling.
Undoubtedly there is ouieter feel,n,
manifested az the Navy Department over
the Maine disaster as the time passes. and
although this is the tenth day since the
noble warship was destroyed the officers
are willing TO wait in patience at the ad-
monition of the President and Secretary
Long. until the facts relating to the ex
plosion are made known. They are fully
on theif guard against the acceptance of
unauthorized statements of the conditions
AT havana and the daily developments, be-
ing aware of the efficiency of the precau-
lions adopted by the court of inquiry to
prevent the premature disclosure of the
proceedings
There was no word from either Captain
Slgsoee or Consul General Lee this morn
ing at the Navy and State departments
The monitor Terror is lying In Hampton
Roads, and it is said at the Navy Depart