The age-herald., 1898-02-27
POINTING TOWARD
 A CRISIS Long Abandons His Few Days of
 Recreation. AND RETURNS TO HIS DESK It Is Tinted He Vas Afraid to Leave
 Roos''g Charge. MOVEMENT os 2 $ AND BATTERIES Members fo ngress Opposed to
 2 ;yIng Money. DARTARDLY DESTRUCTION OF MAINE If Act Can Be Traced to Political Fla ctIon the Responsibility Falls on the Spanish Government-No Disposition to
 Tolerate Quibbiing.
Members fo hgress Opposed to
 : y1ns Money.
pARrARDLY DESTRUCTION OF MAINE
Special to The Age-Herald.

Washington, Feb 26-There were two important events today of a disquiet- ing nature The return of Secretary Long to his duties, giving up his idea of q vacation, and the sending of letter to the senate and house naval committees, ask ing for authority to enlist 1,500 men, and containing a request for permission to place the ships of the auxiliary naval list in commission.
 This latter feature will require an ap- propriation. The department desires, ac- cording to the secretary's letter to impress most of the ship on the Atlantic coast nineteen in number, which are carried on the list of auxiliary steamers. Secretary Long returned to his desk unexpectedly this morning, abandoning his proposed trip for recreation and recuperation, after ten days of worriment and hard work. His appearance at the department was &C., cepted evidence of the critical condi- tion which prevails, and as indicating that the crisis is not far off There were other reasons freely given to account for the secretary's premature return.
 It was stated that Long did not feel that assistant Secretary Roosevelt should be left in charge at such time. The department gossips described an interview which oc- cured between Long and Roosevelt the first thing this morning in regard to the policy of the department Some of the statements were not warranted by the facts, but 1t is undenia ble that Mr. Roosevelt has given the secretary concern on account of the aggregressiveness with which the assist ant secretary deals, with departmental af- fairs.
 War Preparations.
 Preparations for war are steadily pro- gressing. The war and navy departments exhibit continued activity The navy de- partment has shipped from the Washing ton navy yard a large number of guns and secondary batteries which have been in course Of construction at that point. TAhe incident led to the issue of a semi official bulletin from Secretary Longs of- flee attempting to allay any "misappre- hensionse which might be induced by this apparent activity.
 The facts in the case are that the de- partment has shipped thirtytwo rapid fire breech-loading rifles of five and six inch calibre to the New York navy yard, with a communication that fourteen of the fve-inch were intended for the Chicago and six of the six-inch guns were intended for the Atlanta. The remainder are to be placed on board the auxiliary ships. The first consignment will probably be mounted on board the St. Louis, St. Paul, New York and Paris of the National Navigation com- pany Great confidence is placed in these auxiliary ships with their equipment.
 Opposed to Indemnity Plan.
 Congress is very much opposed to the idea of demanding money indemnity for tho daStardly deStruct1On or the Maine. The few members who even consider the indemnity proposition declare that Spain should have this chance to keep out of trouble, but if she does not accept it with alacrity hosti1ities should be commenced and carried to a conclusion. The only clr- cumstances under which an indemnity would be regarded as adequate would be should Spain prove conclusively that the act was that of private citizen, and should then produce and speedily punish the cul- prit.
 The complicity of any faction or polit- ical organization of Spain, such as the Weyler contingent, even though an enemy to the present ministry or to the crown, would place the responsibility on the Span- ish government in such a way as to pres clude the possibility of money settle- ment. The best-informed men of congress declare that if it is shown the explosion occurred from external causes. the imme- diate assumption would be that 1t was the act of Spain. The burden of proof to cor rect this assumption would lie with the Spanish government. Guilty of such treach- cry and crime, she could do no less than place herself humbly at the discretion of the United States and ask that sentence be passed upon her.