The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-03-02
Cabinet Discusses Maine Disaster
aad 0straOss Ia the South.
SECRETARY LONGS REMARK
Said spais's Responsibility ia the Havana
Iasideat Is Eliminated -court Of Ia.
suiy to Have Assistance.

Washington, March 1.-The main inter-
est Of the day in connection with tAs
Maine inquiry eentered in the statement
By Secretary long. following the cabinet
meeting. that In hts personal opinion any
Official participation By the Spanish gov
ernment IN the blowing up Of the Mains
was now practically eliminated from tho
situation. This statement was not OF
formal or ofHciaI character and was made
BY Long as he walked away from the
White House.
As usual the various cabinet officers were
besieged with inquiries as to the questions
before the meeting. and in response %
those opportunities the secretary casually
summed up the situation In few words.
stating that most Of the time had been
given to the outrages on eolored post
masters in the south, Naturally the Gu
ban situation had been gone over. he
said. but there was no actuaI develop
ments. and he felt that public excitement
over the subject had materially abated.
Then he added the statement. in the same
passing way, that any participation By
the Spanish government in the blowing
up OF the Maine was practically elim-
mated. in his Judgment This last rc-
mark was speedily given wide clrcula-
ton apart from the quiet frankness which
had accompanied IL 1t immediately
started much comment and discussion ana
when sIr. Long returned 10 the depart
ment after lunch he found that what he
had Intended to convey VAS giving the
force Of an oniciai declaration shaf
spain's responsibility for he disaster had
been eliminated
Mr.. Long was much surprised that 50
much attention had been given to his
passing allusion.
Aside from this incident the day brousnt
forth but few developments Of import
ance relating to the Maine No dispatches
Of any character from Key West, where
the court Of inquiry is sitting. we're given
out during the day. and, as the rule o.
publicity is suIl in force. presumably
nothing came from that quarter.
The vessel movements announced dur.
ing the day were devoid Of significance
The two outrages on republican post
masters in the south were discussed. one
occurred at Lake City. 5. C.. ard the other
at Ada. Ga. Freeman, postmaster az the
latter place. was assassinated before he
entered upon the discharge OF his duties
as postmaster, The president, 1t IA said.
is very much disturbed By these acts.
though he views with satisfaction the fact
that the whole southern people have ex-
pressed indignation.
The first impulse of the oficials m
cases like those cited. 1t is said. Is to
abolish the otice where the outrage oc-
ours, although it is realized that such q
step would deprive OF their postal facIli-
ties large numbers Of citizens who have
nothing to do with the killing. The presi-
dent. therefore, finds it difficult to IaY
iOwn any rigid rule that could be applied
IN any cases. The office at Lake city has
been abolished, but 50 far nothing has
been done regarding the case at Ada.
Orders went out from the navy depart
nent late this afternoon to put the iron-
lads Mlantonomah and KahtsdIn in COM
mission on the 10th.
ASSISTANCE FOR THE BOARD.