Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-24
THE COURTS REPORT
1T HAS BEEN FINISHED.
VIII Be Published In n Few Days-Prcsi.
dent Mckinley Calls Speaker Reed and
Others Into Conference.

Washington. March 22.-The proceed
ure In connection with the submission
Of the report of the Maine court of in
quiry by the President and Congress
ls now clearly outlined, and n Cabinet
officer to-day explained the general line
Of action at present intended to be pur
sued upon receipt of the report, which
ls expected to reach Washington next
Thursday. A copy Of 1t will be laid
before the Spanish government very
early, and ms soon as can be consistent
~ done, repor; will be sent to Con-
gress and be made public at the same
time. The report to Congress will be
accompanied by n message from the
President, stating that after receiving
the report the conclusions were laid be-
fore the Spanish government and ap-
propriate action from that quarter
asked.
1t Is stated positively that no part Of
the report and no intlmation Of the
findings hns reached the executive au-
thorities at Washington rs yet. At the
same time II Is a noticeable fact that
the current of official opinion is begin
ming to follow that of the unofficial
opinion expressed so positively and per-
slstently at Havana and Key West,
that the cause of the explosion was eX
ternal to the battleship.
The battleship Texas started north
ward from Key West to-day, thus set
Ting the question as to the formation
Of second squadron mt or near Hamp-
to Roads. 1t is expected the Massa-
chusetts will follow In a few days, but
the final orders for that move have not
been made.
1t is generally believed here in official
circles that the President has made up
his mind to recognize the independence
Of Cuba, but II is known that he does
not Intend to take up this matter until
a settlement is reached with Spain over
the destruction of the Maine. This
morning he sent for prominent leaders
In Congress. among them being Speak
er Reed, and discussed the situation
with them.
To these visitors the President point
ed out the difficulties Of the situation
which everyone admits are really
great. He said most positively that 1t
was his intention to go ahead toward n
solution of the whole problem In a
way he hoped would be satisfactory to
Congress and to the country, but that
for the present he wished to deal with
the affair of the Maine alone and with
out complicating 1t with the greater
problem of the future of Cuba. The
President asked that Congress stay Its
hand and take no action till he was
ready, which he promised would be
very soon.
The correspondent of the New York
Sun says:
The President does not now intend to
ask for reparation or demand indemni-
ty, but simply to give Spain an Oppor-
tunity to make amends for such meas
ure Of guilt as may be laid at her doors
by the report Of the naval court.
Indemnity would be no satisfaction
for the loss Of the Maine, and the Pres
ident will not waste time. therefore, in
asking for 1t. especially as he thinks
It would not be granted II he did.
President Mckinley fully appreciates
the fact that the American people will
not brook unnecessary delay on the
part of Spain. and Congress would not
under any circumstances agree to sub
NIT to arbitration the question as to
Spain's responsibility for the blowing
up of the Maine.
The Presidents idea Is that by an
nouncing his Cuban policy. which con-
templates direct recognition OF Cuban
independence, the controversy involved
in the blowing up of the Maine. and the
progress Of the court Of arbitration
would be swallowed up In events that
would follow. Spain, it is thought,
would Immediately declare war against
the United States or commit an overt
act that would compel the United
States to declare war against her, or
she would decide to avoid war by re-
linquishing Cuba.
Very little time will be given after
Congress shall have been acquainted
with the findings of the naval court of
inquiry, and IL Spain is not prepared
Mt an early date to accept the good
offices Of the United States n recOgni
tion Of independence will quickly fol-
low.