The St. Johns herald., 1898-03-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Secretary Sherman Given Some
 thing to Do.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

lrrom Our Regular Cores Spondent.
 WASHINGTON, March 6, 1898.
 Shall the most dastardly piece of
 treachery perpetrated in the nineteenth
 century be condoned for cash consid- eration? That is the question Mir. Me
 Kinley raised when he sent Secretary Sherman-at last the old man is given something to do, but it was nauseating lob-to circulate among his former col leagues of the senate, for the purpose of informing them that the administration had decided, if the naval court of in- quiry reported that the Maine was blown up by intention, to demand cash indemnity of Spain. If Mir. Sherman correctly reported some Ot the remarks
 made by senators with whom he dis cussed the matter, Mr Mckinley must have b.u-Lel
 Evor since it has been practically known tHat jhc court had found uumis- takaDIe evidence that inc AIaino ".s wrecked by treacherY, the administra- tion has been gradually, through divers newspaper interviews, and by other methods, preparing the public for this indemnity business, by dropping hints about the injustice of holding Spain re- sponsible when it disavowed the crime or any kn )wledge of it, and of the prob ability that the crime was committed by some Spaniard who was an enemy of the present Spanish ministry, etc. The Spanish charge d'affaires in Washington also took hand in the attempt to have his country let down easily by officially stating that no mines or torpedoes have ever been planted in the harbor at Ha- vana. The fact that this fellow was once associated with de Lome was enough to prevent belief of any state ment he might make.
 There is not the slightest doubt that an overwhelming majority of congress believes wilh majority of the people | of the country that Spanish blood should be shed to ayenge the poor devils who | were the victims of Spanish treachery | n Havana harbor; but there is also strong desire in congress to act in con- cert with the administration, if possible, | n order that 1t cannot be said by the | Spaniards, or other foreigners, that there s division of sentiment in the United | States. This desire may result in con yress allowing the demand for a money to be made on Spain, but it ! will be. even then. largely because of he belief that Spain could not pay the indemnity, and would not if it could, and that war would be the result any way.
 Although MT. Mckinley continues to ak peace, his actions, through his sub show that he believes with | almost everybody else in Washington that war with Spain is inevitable, and, 10 his credit be it placed. he is taking vigorous steps to see that we are fully prepared to do our share of the fighting when it once ge started. The more and vigorously acts upon that Name report, which is expected this week, the better he will stand with con yress and the people.
 Mr. Mckinley must have been little pit afraid that the well-knDwn scraPplng of Teddy Roosevelt made lim a dangerous man 10 have in charge ,f the navy department at this time, or Secretary Long would now be taking several days rest, and Teddy would be in charge Mir. Long announced his in- ,ent.on of going away for three ar four lays, but Mir Mckinley persuaded him ,o change his mind. Most persons would rather see Teddy running the machine just now.
 Representative Sulzer, of New York, who has been somewhat harshly criti- ,ized because of his objection, when unanimous consent was asked in the l louse that the bill, already passed by