The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-18
REPORT Is COMING.
Findings of Court of Inquiry on Way to
Washington.

REPORT Is COMING.
Findings of Court of Inquiry on Way to
Washington.
Washington, March 17.-The President
expects the report of the court of inquiry
tomorrow or the next day.
When the court arrived at Key West
yesterday from Havana and reported to
Admiral Sicard what progress it had
made, the admiral communicated with
the secretary of the navy.
1t was the secretary's purpose to have a
full synopsis of the courts conclusion put
in oypher and telegraphed to Washington.
Upon consultation with the President,
however, this plan was abandoned.
Both the President and the Secretary
are determined that no efforts should be
spared to maintain the secrecy of the
courts verdict until they themselves give
1t publicity.
Therefore, even Admiral Sicard's naval
cypher code could not be relied upon with
complete satisfaction and at the Presi
dents instance Admiral Sicard was
directed to place the document in the
custody OF some naval officer, according
to the usual method, and forward them
to Washington in that manner.
Whether this officer has started or not,
is not yet known, but If he and Admiral
Sicard have executed their orders with
the regular naval promptness 1t will not
belong before the President is placed in
possession of such Information and con-
illusions as the court has 40 far reached
The largest measure OF preparation yet
made by the war department has just
been completed. 1t is the preparation of a
bill providing among other sections for the
placing of the army on a war footing for
the full strength of 104, 900 men. The
House naval committee has unanimously
voted for three torpedo boats. II
REPORT WILL GO TO CONGRESS.
New York, March 17-The SUMS Wash
ington correspondent says: 1t is under
stood here in official circles that the re-
port of the Maine Court of Inquiry Will
not be delivered in Washington before
Monday next. This information Is
probably based on authentic advices, the
source of which cannot be ascertained
The beard, 1t is reported, has completed
its work, with the exception of making a
review of the testimony. Influential
Senators and Representatives have been
informed of the fact that the report is
looked for on Monday, and they are as
sured that it will establish the fact of an
that the responsibility for it cannot be
fixed directly upon Spain. The President
will claim that Spain is legally respon-
sible through contributory negligence for
the destruction of the battleship. 1t is
thought that Spain will deny this on the
basis of the report OF the Spanish Court
of Inquiry. and the President will then
demand tho payment OF an indemnity,
He will also submit to Congress the
consular reports, showing the condition
of the people in Cuba and demonstrating
the failure of autonomy. The PrssidenB
will not recommend any action by either
House, but will simply submit the facts
for the Information of the Senators and
Representatives. Indeed, no action by
Congress would be advisable or proper, as
the only course left open would be to
wait until SPANS reply is received. A
reasonable time will be given for an
answer to the demand for reparation, and
the President is hopeful that in the mean :
time Congress will have concluded ita
labors and adjourned until December
After putting Congress in possession of
all the facts the President would like to
be lett to settle the Cuban question in his
own way.
AN ENGLISH ALLIANCE.
London, March l7-Rear Admiral Lord
Charles Beresford. III. p, for York city
in an interview with q correspondent OF
the Associated Press, warmly advocated
an Analo-American alliance, as move
in the direction of peace, and calculated
90 immensely develop trade. - He added :
"Such an slliance is natural, and be
lisve tho mere fact of ita conclusion
would deter others from taking any in
adequately defended interests of either
country. Now is the time to accomplish
it, when the advantages arc apparent to
both countries. a decade hence, when II
she desires, the United States can have
become first class naval power and will,
perhaps, have adopted the policy of free
trade, 1t might not be worth her while to
undertake the responsibility OF an alliance
with Great Britain. When America has
built her navy she will be In position to
enforce her demands, which will not take
her long now with her enormous latent
resources and mechanical and engineering
facilities. An Anglo-American alliance
would be the most powerful factor in the
world for peace and the development of
commerce.
Speaking of the possibilities Of the
United States going to war, Lord Beres-
ford. remarked: "If she ever does, no
matter what happens at the beginning,
she must eventually win, because of the
enthusiasm and intense patriotism of her
people.
SAN FRANCISCO IN ENGLAND.
Deal. Eng, March 1.-THE United
States cruiser San Francisco has passed
this place Oh her way to the river
Thames.
BEST OF ALL
To cleanse the system III gentle and
trulv beneficial manner, when the