The times., 1898-04-03

the Maine disaster, and shortly after the
cabinet meeting. a very prominent Re
publican member of the Senate Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, who stands
close to the President, made a statement
that the strongest part of the coming
message will be an arraignment of Spain
for the Maine disaster.
The arraignment, it is said, will be so
strong that war may be declared on the
ground that Spain is officially response
bic for the blowing up of the battleship
and her crew.
Not only" said the senator referred
to, was Spain criminally negligent but
she must have participated officially for
she planted the mines and her military
forces guarded the battleship and buttons
which were connected with them.
IF the President sticks to what he
said he will do, every American will
be satisfied on Monday.
War is absolutely certain
The cabinet meeting was special one.
One of the most important matters under
discussion was preparation for war.
Peace is now thing of the past.
Senator's Walcott and Spooner of the
Committee on Finance, and Representa-
tive Walker, Chairman of the House
Committee on Banking and Currency,
We're all before the cabinet, as were Sen
atOrs Burrows and Carter.
The raising of an emergency war fund
was under discussion.
When Attorney General Griggs left the
cabinet room he was asked for an eX-
preston in regard to the situation, and
replied that he could not talk about it.
rs it to be war or peace?" he was ask
| ed.
81 cannot tell you
'If it were peace. you would say yes,
would you not. Mr. Grggs?"
''WeH FL say this much. that if I
could make it peace 1 would certainly do
| SO"
Then you think you cannot do so?"
said the interrogation.
Il fear not"
| As Representative Marsh left the White
! House he said
war is certain, and at the bottom of
| it will be the Maine disaster. Congress
will settle this thing. We are going to
fight"
When Mr.. Dingley left he was asked
whether peace or war would result. He
said:
81 cannot say"
Can you not say if we are going to
have peace?" he was asked.
No 1 cannot
Would you not say so if you believed
! peace possible?
would oil
Mr.. Dlngley's visit to the President and
his appearance at the Cabinet meeting
was to tell the members how a war tax
| could be arranged.
Among the first callers at the White
House yesterday morning was Senator
| Frye. He was closeted with the Presi-
dent for twenty minutes. When he left
he was asked for any news. and replied:
81 cannot give you any. 1 am on the
jury now, and must guard my words"
Would you not Say peace. Mr.. sena-
tor, if you thought peace was possible?"
he was asked.
Yes; if 1 thought there was any GER
tainty of peace being maintained l
would be most glad to say So
one thing is believed to be certain, and
that is that Congress has determined to
decide this matter to suit itself. Senator
Frye's statement that he was ION the
Jury" shows conclusively how Congress
stands. If the President should desire
10 take the lead and request Congress to
authorize armed Intervention in Cuba,
and vengeance for the loss of the Maine
and her crew. then every senator and ev-
cry representative and every American
citizen viii rally under his leadership.
The Boys of the Maine.
Judge De Grafenreid of Texas asked
Mr Mckinley what would be done to
avenge the boys of the Maine" The
big Texan says that a strong attempt is
being made to bury the Maine incident"
in a maze of Spanish diplomacy while
the Cuban question IS being agitated
"IH tell YOU" said the judge. that
the slogan of each soldier and sailor in
this war will be remember the Maine
The man who jerks the lanyard on the
first gun fred a a Spanish ship will say
take that for the Maine
This war if war comes, will be waged
merely to avenge the boys of the Maine
1t is well enough to free Cuba 1t Is ne
cessary and right. but when an American
battleship is blown up; when American
tars are killed by the official hand of
Spain, then war should be made to teach
the world that our flag cannot be in
suited with impunity."
Senator Spooner was at the White
House for half an hour, and directly be-
hind him came delegation of New Eng
land business men who represent the al
legged best business interests and who in
sist on peace being preserved.
They left the White House with de-
iected mien What they were told could
not be learned.
Congressman Low of New York after
: seeing the President, was asked for an
opinion. He said:
Come up to the House on Monday and
Wen give you an opinion that will startle
you
Mr.. Low has been a constant sup
porter of the President, but does not
think that one single minute beyond
2 Monday will be allowed him by Congress-
Looking TO Congress.
{ The American people now look to Con-
l gress to protect their national honor and
dignity They have lost confidence in the
President There Is no longer any dis
guising of that fact.
e In the opinion of the people the Presi-
dent has failed to rise to the occasion.
He has permitted himself to be persuad-
ed to weigh American manhood and honor
: in the scales with dollars and cents. He
has given too much consideration to the