Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-03-24
PRESIDENT nErERMl TO END
CUBAN WAR.
CABINET TALKS IT OVER
Spain Will Soon BE Called Upon to
Make Suitable Response TO Our
Representation Regarding the
Cuban Simation-Maine Report
Will Be in Washington,

net meeting yesterday lasted some
thing over an hour and was devoted
exclusively to the Spanish situation in
general and to the forthcoming report
of the Maine court of inquiry in partic-
ular. The tone of the discussion was
very firm and determined that there
must come an e0d 10 the present state
OF affairs IN Cuba. Secretary Long
authorized the statement that the
understanding before the cabinet was
that the report would reach Washing
ton tomorrow or Friday, that it WAS
very voluminous and that its publica-
ton and transmission TO congress
would not occur until next Monday or
Tuesday, rs the president would re-
quire that much time to give the doc
ument the mature consideration that
Other cabinet officers stated that the
general plan Included the sending of
II presidential message along with the
report, stating that Spain had been
called upon to make suitable re-
Spouse to the case presented by the
court of inquiry.
While the cabinet associates of the
president maintain their usual
| reserve as to the exact character OF
their deliberations it was conceded
that the discussion proceeded on the
theory that the coming report would
show that the Maine explosion was
not the result OF an accident but due
I 10
doubt that substantial unanimity ex-
lists on the part of the president ami
all of his cabinet, both as to the
Maine question and the general sub
ject of Cuba. The possibility of a
recourse to intervention in case
Spain declines to make suitable re-
Spouse to the representations we will
make regarding the situation in Cuba
has been fully discussed. Necessarily
consideration of the Maine disaster
has been an abstract thus far and no
conclusion has been reached, nor Is 1t
possible, until the vital question as to
the courts findings are before the
president and cabinet. 1t is believed
to be the intention of the president.
however, to bring about a very ma
terial and satisfactory condition in
Cuba by what shall seem to be the
best and most practicable method OF
obtaining this end The hope of the
administration is that Spain herself
will so far realize the situation as to
see the necessity for such radical ac-
ton on her part with respect to Cuba
as shall command the appreciation of
tins country and thus at once put an
end to all differences Pending the
decision on the governments final
policy, no oyertures or limitations
have been conveyed to the Spanish
government and there is no official
Knowledge as to how Spain would
regard recognition of Cuban indepen-
denec or Intervention.
Outside the cabinet meeting the day
was exceptionally quiet. Secretary
Long was able to clear his desk at 3. 30
o'clock for the first time since the
Maine disaster occurred, and he left
the department before the office hours
closed to enjoy walk.
navigation posted notice that the
hattleship Massachusetts, had sailed
from Key West for Hampton Roads,
About the same time Commodore
Schley, who has been suggested as the
probable commander of the flying
squadron censered at Hampton
Roads, called at the department and
had a conference with Roosevelt.
The navy department continues TO
keep informed as to the Spanish tor
pedo fleet, now stopping at the Can
al les. Word OF It's departure has not
yet reached the department. 1t can
be stated positively that the report
that the president has protested
against the coming of this fotilla Is
unwarranted. There has been no such
protest.
At the navy department nothing is
known Of the reported ordering home
of the Maine officers now at Havana.
1t is stated that these orders, II
given, would come from Admiral
Sicard, not from the navy department.
II is not expe ted that Sigsbee, Vain
wright and others who are assisting IN
the work OF wreckage will leave Ha-
yaaa until the salvage OF the Maine
Is completed.
Serious attention is being given by
the navy department officials to the
question of the acquisition OF suit
able location for coaling station
somewhere in the West Indies.
Bids were opened In the bureau OF
ordnance for the supplying OF 100000
pounds Of brown prismatic powder for
ea-coast FORTH alton guns There
were only two bidders, the California
Powder company and the Dupont Pow
der company. In day or two the ord
nance bureau will award the contract
for supplying the department with q
100000 smokeless powder rife ball
cartridges OF 30 calibre.