The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-21
CONFERENCE OF THE CABINET.
SUNDAY SESSION SAID TO HAVE NO
SIGNIFICANCE.

Gentleman who Has Been PrOmi-
nent in the Negotiations Looking
to the Purchase of Foreign War
ships Called in for Consultation.
O'Higgins Has Been Secured-Om-
cials at the Spanish Legation Dis
credit the Latest Autonomy story
From Cuba.
Washington March 20.-President Nc
Kinley did not attend church this morn
ing. as is his custom, but. instead, spent
two hours and more in conference with
several members of the cabinet.
Assistant Secretary Day called about
1890 o'clock, and remained until nearly l.
Secretary Long and Secretary Bliss were
the other members present. They re-
mained less than an hour.
Commander Clover, in company with Mr.
Flint. who has been acting for the gov-
ernment in the negotiations for the pur-
chase of warships, also called, and were
shown into the Presidents private office.
The members of the cabinet, on leaving
the White House, said that there was no
special significance in the meeting this
morning.
The report of the Maine court of inquiry
had not been received, nor was it definitely
known when it would reach here. 1t was
expected, however, early in the present
week, and as soon as received 1t would be
handed at once to the President, and when
1t had been read and considered by the
President it will be made public.
Secretary Long, in speaking of the re-
port, said that, while fully realizing its
importance, the country, in his opinion,
would willingly accord TO the President a
day or two, if necessary, for its considera-
ton. The indications seem to be that the
report will be made public by the middle
of the present week
The presence of Mr.. Flint at the confer
ence naturally gives rise to the inference
that the President and his advisers were
discussing the question of acquiring addi-
tional ships.
Mr.. Flint. whose commercial interests
are largely with South American countries,
is believed, in a measure at least, to repre-
sent Chilli and the Argentine Republic in
any negotiations which are under way for
the disposition of their war vessels A re-
porter to-day asked Mr.. Flint if he could
say whether or not the United States had
secured possession of the Chllian ship
O'Higgins, and the Argentine ship San
Martino, but he declined to make any
statement on the subject. When pressed
for some information in regard to the mat
Ter he replied Both Chill and the Argen-
tine Republic have the warmest friendship
and admiration for the United States
and her Institutions. Neither country is
anxious to sell their ships to this govern
ment, basing this indisposition on the be-
lief that we have an excellent navy of our
own. They want these vessels themselves.
If the time should come, however, when
it was apparent that the United States
needed these vessels they would gladly
part with them to us.
The attention of Mr.. Flint was called to
the published report that the United States
would purchase the Brazilian torpedo boat
Tuby, but this he said, would not be done
so far as he was aware, as there were no
negotiations under way to that effect.
Aside from the meeting of several MEM
bers of the cabinet at the White House
there were no incidents of importance dur
ing the day.
Judge Day. Assistant Secretary Adee,
Chief Clerk Michael and other officials
were at the state department but this has
been quite common during the recent
months. Also at the war and navy depart
ments a number Of chiefs of bureaus were
at their desks for several hours, mainly
for the purpose of disposing of the busi-
ness which recently has accumulated SO
rapidly.
The most interesting topic of the day
was based on the dispatches from Ha-
vana, indicating a prospective conference
between Gen. Pando and Gems. Garcia,
Gomez and others of the insurgent army
for the purpose of submitting to the lat
ter formal offer of autonomy. The basis
of autonomy as outlined in the dis
patches apparently found no credence
with the officials of the Spanish legation.
They stated their disbelief that a confer
ence on the proposed lines was probable,
and added that they had no information
on the subject
Mr. Polo Bernabe expressed the opin-
ion that the report from Havana was un-
founded, as he said the basis upon which
it was proposed to grant autonomy was
absurd.
BENEFIT FOR SPANS NAVY