The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-25
BATTLEsHIp KENTUcKY AID MISS BRApLEY

Key West. Captain Evans has been
ordered to take command of the bat
tleship Iowa"
Although the announcement did not
modore w. S. Schley was slated to
command the "fying squadron" IN
Hampton Roads.
This announcement was recognized
at once as of unusual Importance at
this juncture. Admiral Scard has been
in command of the feet at Key West
throughout the critical period of the
Maine disaster. Captain Sampson has
been in command Of the Iowa, but
more recently has been conspicuous
before the public as president of the
Maine court of inquiry. Captain Rob-
ley Evans is known as Fighting Bob"
The next important move was de-
termination to create a joint commits
sion from the war and navy depart
ments, so as to bring them into har-
monious action on all measures. Cap
tain Barker, the naval aide of Secre-
tary Long, was designated to represent
the navy department in this plan of
action. The representative of the war
department has not yet been named.
1t viii not be necessary for these two
)
can best arrange a Joint plan of action
in conference with the bureau chiefs
of the two departments here.
Then, at the close of day, came an
announcement that the navy depart
ment has succeeded in purchasing eight
steam yachts and four steam tugs
presumably at and near New York
for use in the auxiliary naval fleet. The
boats are about 400 tons each, and
in an emergency would be suitable as
torpedo boats. The yachts purchased
are among the neetest along the At
lantic coast, and are said to be some5
what similar to the Mayflower, re-
Gently purchased of the Ogden Goelet
estate. The names and amounts paid
for the various yachts and tugs are
not disclosed, as it is said this would
prove an embarrassment to the gov
ernment in promoting speculation on
other craft for which negotiations are
now proceeding.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance,
senators and represa natives from both
political parties calling to confer with
the president, The president said to
several of his visitors that he would
do everything consistent with the
honor and dignity Of the country to
avert war and he stiu believed war
could be averted. He also said that he
believed the government of Spain was
as anxious for peace as we were, but
at the Same time he did not hesitate
to admit the gravity of the situation.
The president frankly acknowledges
that he believes the report Of the board
CT inquiry will ind tnat the Maine was
blown up from the outside. His pro-
gram has been definitely decided upon.
1t is his purpose to treat the blowing
up OF the Maine as an incident. The
report of the board VIII be sent to
congress on Monday with a very brier
message relating to the events leading
up to that point and informing con-
gress that the facts contained IN the
report have been cabled TO Madrid to
be laid before the Spanish government
by Minister Woodford. No demand
will be made upon Spain but the laying
Of the facts before the Spanish gov
ernment win be equivalent to calling
upon Spain for an explanation aEc
such action as she may deem proper
1t is the purpose Of the house lead
| ers to refer the report and message
to the committee on foreign affairs
without debate, and to this program
/ 1t ls believed the Democrats of the
/ house have acquiesced, reservtng the
right to demand action if a report
! from the committee is too long de-
/ layed. Much VIII then depend upon
/ Spain's response but there are those
| close to the president who believe that
| from the time the report IS sent to
/ congress 1t will drop out as a factor
| in the situation. The second part Of
| the presidents program reaches the
| Maine question, and Involves inter-
Ventlon on humanitarian grounds with
| in a week or ten davs after the re-
! port of the board goes TO congress. It
will be intervention to relieve the
starvation in Cuba, and upon Spain's
/ acceptance or objection to this act will
/ depend peace or war. A prominent
member of the house said that in his
opinion the next two weeks would de-
termine which it would be.
The attention Of Assistant Secretary
of State Day was called to a story
printed in New York which represented
him as having declared that the Span
ish situation had gone beyond diplo-
I matte adjustment. lie said: II did
not say to any one and have never for
a moment thought that the present
relations between Spain and the United
States were beyond the hope of diplo-
matte adjustments 1 have not advo-
Gated seudi Cuban relief supplies IN
war vessels. I did not say that this
government should intervene at once
and force Cuban freedom, and / have
never advocated such a course"