Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-29

been feared that this relief, given d.
rectly by the United States government,
would be resented by Spain as indirect
intervention. In that event there is lit
tie reason to doubt that the relief would
have been forwarded at any cost, even
the cost Of war, as the administration
has felt that a war in behalf of hu-
name object would command the univer-
sal appreciation of the world
Another important Spanish document
which reached the government during
the day was the abstract Of the report
OF the Spanish naval commission which
investigated the destruction of the
Maine. 1t is the only answer Spain has
thus made to the action of this govern
ment in submitting to Spain, through
Minister Woodford, the findings Of the
American court. The conclusions reach
ed by the Spanish commission are di-
rectly the opposite of those of the Am
erican court. No demands have been
made an connection with the Maine, and
therefore there is no response beyond
the submission Of the Spanish report.
EUROPEAN MEDIATION?
Following the call of the Spanish min
lister at the state department, the French
ambassador, NJ. Cambon, had confer
! ence with Judge Day. This renewed
| w
is assuming tangible form The speech
of Premier Hanotaux in the Paris cham
| Der. last Saturday, is looked upon as
| foresh Allowing at least sympathy, IL not
direct steps, toward mediation by
France and other continental powers.
There is good reason to believe Spain is
ready and anxious for this move. and
has been encouraging it at the ElTop-
can capitals. 1t would not be an often
civ int n q
offer to mediate the differences
which have recently threatened to ter
inmate in war between the United
States and Spain. 1t is understood,
however, that up to the present time NJ.
Cambon has not received any definite
instructions to take the initial step in
such mediation.
WAR AND NAVY STIR.
At the war and navy departments the
stir Of preparation continued as usual.
The navy department made plans for
a mosquito fleet" to be composed of
tugs and steam yachts recently pur-
chased and armed as an auxiliary fleet
The war department made numerous
shifts in the location OF troops IN the
west, with a view to their speedy con-
centration.
Gen. FIagIer, the chief of ordnance Of
the war department, awarded to a num-
ber Of companies contracts for furnish
ing the department with disappearing
carriages for the s. 10 and 12-inch gun
emplacements which are now being con-
structed at the seacoast fortdfications
Among the companies are the following:
The Bethlehem (Pa.) iron works the
Southwork company Of philadelphia,
the Walker company Of Cleveland, the
Morgan Engineering Company Of Alli-
n Vol
pany of Plainfield, n. j., and the Robert
Poole & Sons Company of Baltimore
The proposals from which these awards
were made were submitted in answer to
advertisements issued by the bureau un-
der the prospective appropriation bin,
the fortifications bill; but, as the money
of the latter is not yet available, the car
riages will be paid for out of the elner-
gency appropriation made by congress.
OPPOSE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
After the adjournment Of the house
today, there was considerable discussion
over a proposed consolidation Of the
forces in the house who favor some form
Of immediate action on the Cuban issue.
There was a strong feeling shown over
the avoidance in the presidents ma
sage of any outline of a definite admin
istration policy and a decided disposi-
tlon apparent not to await any further
delay nor resort to temporizing meas
ures.
The project to furnish ad libitum relief
supplies to the Cuban non-combatanls
is meeting with opposition, to which
members on both sides of the house have
gwen voice in private discussion, on the
ground first, that Spain alone is re-
st'or sible for the conditions on the ISL
and, and. second, the extending Of such
Large and probably continued aid abroad
is unjust to the people of this country.
The steps taken today on this line were
Of an informal nature. Representative
Hull OF Iowa. chairman of the house
committee on military affairs, is leading
the movement for prompt action.