The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1898-02-28

strain of this horrible tragedy If the pres
idnnt contents himself with demand Tor
money only, cCngr1 IS VIII promptly take
the matter out Of his hands and will dc
clare war.
There is no doubt that this proposition
has be2h urged upon the president by men
arguing both from atriOtlc ana political
standpoint. 1t is known in pointing out
the political effect of some OF his ad-
Viscrs have urged that something must
he done to make the SpahiardS take the
initiatives Their view is that if the adj
minsration. of it's own motion. makes a
declaration of war. that act is sure to be
strongly criticised by those forces which
are now engaged in an effort for peace at
amy cost. while If the president demands
not only a money indemnity but couples
with it a demand that Spain shan give up
Cuba, he will bring a declaration of war
from Spain and as they argue Will put
his administration in much better position
before the country
1t doesn't require more than superhclAl
knowledge of Mckinley and the powers
which really control his action to know
that he will not make this demand for
Cuban independence.
1t has been given out from the white
house that the president has not allowed
the Cuban question to be in any way con-
sldered III connection with the Maine dis
aSter. and he does not propose 10 atoN
any such complication.
That shows his purpose. If con-
gress and the people will let him, he
will accept money and let it go at that.
The suggestion is made that 1t may be
some time yet before there is - report from
tho board of investigation. This can only
mean that tie president realizes that his
idea of a money indemnity will be over
ruled by congress and that war will be de
clared He and the heads OF the depart
ments are therefore playing for time IN
order that the country may be got in as
good condition as possible to meet the eN-
igcnci,s of war While there Is denial. or
course, of all the activity in army and
naval circles, every effort is being made
to get things in the best possible shape
Secretary Long is quoted tonight as nav
ing declared his confidence that the navy
is ready for war whenever it may come.
So far as official information goes, it
is enthusiastically true that neither the
president nor Secretary Long have receiV-
ed anything upon which to base any an
nouncemcnt to the country.
They are, however, confident that
the disaster was not due to internal
accident. In fact nobody, except per
haps Senator Hale, who is still true
to the Spanish cause, gives even
thought to the accident theory.
While the navy department continues 70
talk of an innocent cruise for the monitor
Terror which has just arrived at Hampton
Roads there is no doubt that II Is intended
10 send her at once to New York To Keep
an eye on the Spanish visitor
Some idea of the strain which Is
felt in Washington may be gathered
from the fact that four detectives
guard the president day and night
This addition to the police force at
the white house has unquesuonaoly
been made because of the excitement
resulting from the Maine disaster
The publication of the fact OF the pres
ence of these additional officers may
call forth a denial, just as many otnef
facts have been denied, but it is true
nevertheless