The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-23

sued to day The naval recruiting
officers are meeting will, success at
New Orleans Yesterday they se-
cured 40 men who were professionally
fitted for the navy.
The semi official statement given
out at Madrid advancing the govern
ment's view that demand for in.
demnity based on Spanish response
bility for the Maine explosion would
be Indignantly repelIed by Spain, at
tracted much interest in official cir
cles There has been little doubt for
some time that Spain was prepared
for the contingency OF an adverse
report by the American court of in
quiry and to that end was preparing
to anticipate and offset IL by making
clear the go vernment's policy of
standing by the report Of the Spanish
commission The report Of the lat
ter body was due in Madrid yes
terday. and while its conclusions are
not officially known, it is foregone
conclusion that it will find that the
Maine disaster was due to accident
resulting in an internal explosion.
This was foresadowed in the advance
utterances Of Capt Peral, head Of
the Spanish commission, who stated
publicly several days ago that the
theory OF external explosion was
untenable
Along with the semi-o ofiic;sl state
meot from Madrid :hat demand FOR
Indemnity wil! be indigna:Iy repelIed,
is the further ssatemenf frcm reliable
soueces that Spsio has made it clear 20
the authorities here there that in,srveo-
ton nay lead to var. The prospects
of such intervention appear to be Sc
siously entertained by Spsin. and
strong efforts have been made to avert
it oy showing that the condition of the
reconcentrados did cot warrant the step,
aad also that it would threaten to end
all prospects of further pacific negotia-
sions
Both govern mep's have been sourd-
ing each other Oh the activity Of the
other 10 searching for ships, but there
has been little ground for objection on
either side. as both have been iu the
s sme markets. The administrat:o exs
plains buying Of warships 90 tbs ground
that Spaiu's attitude has been so men,
acing as naturally to call for au aug
mepted pavy. while Spain takes the
sane view tba: the activity in the Ucu-
ed States requires suitable preparations
OF the Spanish navy.
The report that Spain had protested
against 6libusteriOg expedition to Po.
er.o Rico ca0Dot be verified. as officials
here say tais expendition has 60: yet
got away
The President expects the report Ct
the court of inquiry tomorrow CT re1t
day.
Both the President and secretary are
that no efforts be spsred to
maintain the secrecy OF the courts
verdict until they themselves have de
teruioed TO give it publicity There
fore. even the admirably designed naval
cipher code will DOT be relied upon, and
at the Presidents Instance. Admiral!
Sicard vas directed TO place
the documents in lhe Gust, dy
Of some oaval officer, according to the
usual method. and toward them 20
Washington 10 that manner Il is not
known positively that the conclusions
OF the board are 6na!. bat if the ordi-
oary routine Of the courts inquiry bas
been followed in this case they probably
are SC unless the secretary of the navy
believes. after looking into the tessi
mony, tha. some lines Of investigation
should be further pursued.
The largest measure of preparation
yet made by the var department to
rect the contingencies of the future
probably has just been completed. |,
is the preparation of bill providing
among other sections for toe placing
Of the army on war footing for the
fal! strength of 104. 900 mep. The bill
has been carefully gone over BY the
var department. aud was introduced in
the house by Representative Hut,
cnairuan of the bouse committee on
affairs. who it is expected will
nrgeiis vigorously inasmuch as it is au
measure
In view CT the possibility Of con
flict with Spain considerable interest
oeoters jnst now in the strength Of the
,n;li,ia force Of the Uoted States which
&c Guild be Fable to be called upon 10
case Of re. zsity According to latest
repor,s total organized strength OF
the militia of the United States is ILL.,
362 men, Wills the number of men