The record-union., 1898-03-23
The Subject Discussed at a
Meeting Of the Cabinet.
Report Of the Court Of Inquiry on
Its Way TO Washington.
Its Publication and Transmission to Con-
gress Not Expected to Occur Until
Monday or Tuesday Of
Next Week.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-The Cab
met meeting to-day lasted something
over an hour, and was devoted exclu-
sively to the Spanish situation in gen
eral. and to the forthcoming report of
the Maine court of inquiry The tone
of the discussion was very firm and de-
termined, that there must come an end
to the present state of affairs in Cuba.
Secretary Long authorized the state
ment that the understanding before the
Cabinet meeting was that the report
would reach Washington next Thursday
or Friday; that it was very voluminous,
and that the publication and transmits
sion to Congress would not occur until
next Monday or Tuesday, as the Presi-
dent would require that much time 10
give the document the mature considera-
ton which its momentous character re-
quired
Other Cabinet officers stated that the
general plan included the sending of
Presidential message along with the re-
pert, 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
President maintained their usual re-
serve as to the exact character OF their
deliberations, yet it was conceded stflsfc
the discussion proceeded on the theory
Al en- that
the Maine explosion was not the result
of an accident, but was due to an OK
ternal cause. There is no doubt chet
substantial unanimity exists on the
present President and his Cabinet, both
as to the Maine question and the general
subject OF Cuba.
The possibility of recourse to inter-
vention in case Spain declines to make
suitable response to the representations
we will make after receiving the Maine
report has been fully discussed, although
necessarily it has been an abstract dis
cussion thus far, and no conclusion has
been reached, nor is it possible until the
vital question as to the courts findings
is before the President and the Cabinet.
At the same time, there is a very evil
dent intention to consider all eventuah-
ties. including the recourse to the inter-
vention, the recognition Of independence
and other methods which appear to
suitably meet the requirements of such
a condition.
It is believed to be the intention of
the President, however, to bring about
very material and satisfactory condl-
ton in Cuba by what shall seem to be
the best and most practicable method OF
obtaining this end 1t is the hope of the
Administration that Spain herself will
SO far realize the situation as to see the
necessity for such radical action on her
part with respect to Cuba as shall COM
mand the appreciation of this country,
and thus at once put an end to all differ
ences.
Pending a decision on the Govern
ment's final policy, no overtures or IN
timations have been conveyed to the
Spanish Government, and there is no
official knowledge as to how Spain
would regard recognition of Cuban
independence or intervention. The
Spanish Minister, Senior Polo Ber-
nabe. requested to-day that a state
rnent be made that reports attributing
to him expressions on the subject of
Independence were unwarranted and
untrue. Senior Bernabe says he has not
discussed this or any other of the
pending questions.
Outside of the Cabinet meeting the
day was exceptionally quiet. Secretary
Long was able to clear his desk at $3.50
o'clock for the first time since the
Maine disaster occurred. and he left
the department before officer hours
closed to enjoy q walk.
During the afternoon the Bureau of
Navigation posted the notice that the
battleship massachusetts had sailed
from Key West for Hampton Roads,
following the Texas, which left yester-
day About the same time Commodore
Schley, who has been suggested as the
probable commander of the flying
squadron" conferred at Hampton Roads,
called at the department and had
conference with Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt
The cruiser Brooklyn is at Newport
News. and the Monitor Puritan is un-
der orders to proceed there, so that
these vessels viii be near the Hampton
Roads rendezvous. if it is determined to
establish a squadron there.
Orders for this move have not yet