The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-23
PRESIDENT 5 PLANS.
Message to Go TO Congress
With Maine Report.
CABINET TALKS OF CUBA.
Steps to End the War to Be Taken
Unless Spain Stops II.
SPANS TORPEDO SQUADRON
President Has Made No Protest
Against II.

Washington, March 22.-The cabinet
meeting to-day lasted something over an
hour and was devoted exclusively to the
Spanish situation in general and to the
forthcoming report of the Maine court of
inquiry in particular.
The tone of the discussion was very firm
and determined that there must come an
end TO the present state of affairs in Cuba.
Secretary Long authorized the statement
that the understanding before the cabinet
was that the report would reach Wash
ington Thursday or Friday; that it was
very voluminous, and that its publication
and transmission to Congress would not
occur until next Monday or Tuesday. as
the President would require that much
time to give the document the mature con-
sideration its momentous character reuuir-
ed
Other cabinet officers stated that the
general plan included the sending Of
presidential message along with the re-
port, stating that Spain had been called
upon to make suitable response to the case
presented by the court of inquiry.
While the cabinet associates of the Pres
ideut maintained their usual reserve as to
the exact character of the deliberations, it
was conceded that the discussion proceed
ed on the theory that the coming report
would show that the explosion was not
the result of an accident, but was due to
an external cause. This was not because
fneo
TO the findings of the court.
There is no doubt that substantial unan-
unity exists on the part of the President
ana all his cabinet, both as to the Maine
question and the general subject of Cuba
The possibility of a recourse to the inter-
Vention in case Spain declined to make
suitable response TO the representations
we will make regarding the situation in
Cuba has been discussed. Necessarily the
consideration of the Maine disaster has
been abstract thus far and no conclusion
mas heen reached, or is possible until
tAe vital question as to the courts findings
is before the President and cabinet.
At the same time, there is a very evil
uent intention to consider all eventuali-
ues including the recourse to Intervention,
the recognition of independence and other
methods which appear to suitably meet
the requirements of such condition. 1t
Is believed to be the intention of the Pres
ident, however. to bring about a very ma
terial and satisfactory condition in Cuba
by what shall seem to be the best and most
PRACTICAL method of obtaining this end
1t is the hope of the administration that
Spain herself will so far realize the ,itua-
ton as to see the necessity for such radi-
cal action on her part with respect to Cuba
as shall command the approbation of this
country. and thus at once nut an end to
ell differences.
Outside of the cabinet meeting the dav
was evce,tio,sa1,, 1-it onnt.,, 80
was able to clear his desk at 3.30 o'clock
for the first time since the Maine disaster
occurred. and he left the department be-
fore office hours closed TO entov walk.
During the afternoon the bnreau of nav
igation posted the notice that the battle
ship Massachusetts had sailed from Key
West for HamDton Roads. following the
Texas. which ieft Yesterday
About the same fine Commodore Scblev.
who has been SUGGESTED as the probable
commander Of the hvfnp souadron. CEN
tered at Hapnton TSoads called ar the
department and had a conference with AS
sIstant Secretary Roosevelt
The cruiser RroolxIvn is at Newport
News and the ,,,onitor puritan is under
orders to nrocead thoro. CO tbat these ves-
sells win he rear tho Harnnton Roads rem
devious. if n is determined 70 establish
the souadron tbera Orders for this move
have NOT boen y,,a1o ,raf bo,pe,,er nor has
Coamodoro sol,Ia1r ra,ai,,ed any inforn1o-
tloo iron, oesoia1s 4t,,t ~ would he olaeed