The Portland daily press., 1898-03-23
SENATOR HALE. GIVES ITU
Thinks This Country Is Being Plunged
Into War.


A Washington despatch to the Boston
Globe says: 1.-The country is on the
verge of war. fear nothing can pre-
vent hostilities,'' Senator Hale of Maine
said tonight.
"The speech of Senator Proctor" he
continued, appears to have wrought
such an impression on the public mind
that the President feels unable to with
stand the demand for action.
president Mckinley has pursued q
dignifled and statesmanlike course. He
has done all he could to avoid plunging
the country into war. He now feels that
in view of what has occurred thai it is
his duty to let Congress assume it's
share of -sponsibility. This he will
probably do at an early day.
81 have been conservative as regards
Cuba. My attitude has been consistent
and in accordance with my earnest con
viotions. Now that the crisis has ar
rived, perhaps it will be the best for
what fear is inevitable to occur, and
have it over.
Congress in it's present frame of mind
will take some radical action; action
that means war.
1T will cost the United States possibly
$500, 600, 900, and the business interests a
much larger sum. hoped that Congress
would have had an early adjournment
and have left the President to have set
tied the Cuban question alone.
events have crowded on too rapidly
and the President has been carried off
his feet. The Maine incident is going to
be secondary.
INTERVENTION INEVITABLE.
New York, March 22.-The Evening
POSTS Washington special says:
The substantial correctness of the pub
lished interview with Senator Hale in
which he says that he considers the coun7
try on the verge Of war is not doubted by
those who have heard him speak in the
same strain. He. probably will be re-
luotant to go before the people at large,
however, with the statement that the
President has been "swept off his feet''
for that is not the fact. The President
has not changed his attitude in regard
to the war question. He is as anxious
for peace today as he was week ago.
that the evidence of the dreadful suffer-
ing of the non com batants between the
lines in Cuba has crowded in upon him
in such a way Of late that he feels now
that he cannot longer hide the consular
reports, and that Intervention on behalf
OF these poor wretches, is inevitable.
The problem now before the President
is to make this announcement of his
policy in such a manner as to preserve
our government against the appearance
in the eyes of the world, of having brought
on war The mere proclamation he
does not consider in itself an act of war.
if couched in terms consistent with our
general attitude of friendship towards
sister nation.
measure that will be perforce, and she
must defend her course before the civil
liked worlds Judgment.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE aoa
FAILED.
Havana, via KeyiWest, March 22.--It
is now known positively that the nego-
tiations between Gen. Pandc's delegates,
Ramirez and Chavez, and Gen. Calixto
Garcia and other prominent insurgents,
in which the radical autonomists made
what are said to be final offers of prac-
tical independence, have proved an abb
solute failure.
TALK OF MADRID JOURNALS.
Madrid. March 22.-The papers here
publish full reports of thesmoyements
of the United States warships and Of the
defensive preparations being made'by
the government of the United States.
1t is reported that the Spanish war
ship selected to convoy the torpedo
fotilla, has sailed from Cartegena for
the Canary islands.
Tt appears that the delay in the voyage
of the torpedo boats is due to the fact
that the Ariel, one of the torpedo boats,
sustained some slight damage while on
her way from Cadiz to the Canaries.
The Spanish newspapers advocate
further strengthening Of the naval squad.
ron in Cuba.
The Heraldo thinks, that in view of the
"ostentations preparations of the Unit
ed States Spain has full liberty to make
similar preparations.
The Globe insists that Injury has been
done to Spain by the United States
SQUADRON remaining close to the seat
Of war. Tt gladly notes, however, that
the "yerbal suggestions by Senior Polo
v Bernabe, 1.-THE Spanish minister at
Washington) to Secretary Sherman, have
led to the withdrawal of q portion of the
squadron, this demonstrating the cordi
atty existing between the two countries. -
The impartial expresses the opinion
that the action of the United States has
completely checked the advantages which
Spain might have derived from grant
ing autonomy to Cuba, an alleges that
the United States has practically
strangled autonomy at its birth
The impartial also thinks Spain failed
in not having obtained
the removal Of Consul General Lee and
expresses fear that although military
action will be keener than ever, it will
not suffice to pacify Cuba, owing to cir
cumstances created by the United
States. -
The Correo, does not expect help from
Europe, but hopes the Latins OF Ameri-
can will support Spain.
ORDERED HOME.
Key West, March 22,-It is reported this
afternoon that the officers of the Maine,
who are now in Havana, have been or
dered home.
AMERICAS FORMIDABLE RIVAL.
London, March 22.-At the banquet of
the London Chamber of Commerce to-.
night the guests included the Canadians,
r - C+ro tJ,oona md Mn11ntT, ROval Mr.