The age-herald., 1898-03-20
FUSE ALMOST
 BURNED ID END Monday May Reveal the Dark
 Mystery OF THE MAINE DISASTER Report Of the Board Will Reach or Has Reached the President. FROM HIM IT WILL GO TO CONGRESS Long Does Not Deny That It Has Been
 Received.
  BANKERS ARE SHOWING THEIR HANDS Mckinley Shows Signs of Weakening Document Giving Cause of Maine Ex- plosion May Be Accompanied by
 Demand for Freedom.
Long Does Not Deny That It Has Been
 Received.
BANKERS ARE SHOWING THEIR HANDS
Special Dispatch to The Age-Herald. BY HAROLD EVERETT CLAY.

Washington March 19.-The situation has not changed any since yesterday, beyond the corroboration of the denial made last night that the president had weakened in his policy toward Spain. If there had been any doubts in his mind as to the tenn per of the American people, as represented in congress, the storm which the mere suggestion that he would leave the matter to international arbitration, would have dis pelled them.
 Such a conservative administration or gan as the Philadelphia Press devotes it's whole front page today to interviews from republican senators resenting in the most earnest terms the suggestion that the ad- ministration has weakened in it's attitude. Secretary Long reaffirmed to me in the most positive way today that the president had not in any way changed his pro- gramme.
 There will be no attempt to hamper the president, should he try to settle the Maine incident by diplomacy, but these diplo- matic usages must cease and should he suggest any compromise of the Cuban stu- ation which does not have as its basis abso- lute independence congress will sweep by him with the velocity of tornado.
 Banking Interests Disturbed
 There is no doubt that the banking in- terests of the country Is trying to switch his hand in the key board. First one bank president comes, and then another MT. Eckols, late comptroller of the cur rency, now drawing $50 day as a bank president, is here today to add his quota of influence to divert the president from the recognition of the insurgents. The fight is narrowing down between the bank CTS and congress. The latter is well aware of hte attempts of the former to influence the president, and is trying in every conceivable way to prevent it. As the president has so far done nothing to warrant any distrust in him.
 It Is now learned that he not only read Proctor's speech, but suggested certain changes in it in line with the official re- ports of his consuls.
 Cabinet Knows the Secret
 All denials to the contrary the cabinet and president have full knowledge of the investigation into the Maine disater. He is prepared to submit it to congress almost as soon as it arrives. Senator Foraker says it would be criminal negligence for the president not to have kept posted in view of the vast sums he has been entrust- ed with, and is expending as if in prepara- tion for immediate warfare. The tension here tonight is severe. The report of the board Is eagerly watched for.
 Dozens of rumors are started, only to be contradicted.. It is believed tonight that the report may be submitted to con- gress on Monday with a message from the president asking some action. The general impression Is that Mckinley will make congress a party to whatever is done so as to have unaimity of action. It has been my opinion all along that he will treat the Maine disaster as a, secondary matter, mlk ing the independence of the island the main point to be attained. I was told by an officer of the government tonight that the president bases his hope for peace on the belief that Spain will not declare war even though he does issue proclamation recognizing the independence Of the CubanS.