The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-23
TO SEND TO CONGRESS
BUT NOT BEFORE NEXT MONDAY
OR TUESDAY.
MESSAGE TO ACCOMPANY THE REPORT
Discussion Proceeding on Theory of Externa
Explosion Spain viii be Asked for
Suitable Response to Report
Increment of War-Shps,

Washington, ID. c., March 22-The
Cabinet meeting today lasted something
over an hour, and was devoted exclu-
siyely to the Spanish situation in gen
eral, and to the forthcoming report of
the Maine of Inquiry in particular. The
tone of the discussion was very firm
aud determined that there must come an
end to the present state of affairs in
Cuba. Secretary Long authorized the
statement that the understanding before
the Cabinet was that the report would
reach Washington Thursday or Friday.
that it was very yoluminous, and that
its publication and transmission to Con
gress would not occur until next Monday
or Tuesday, as the President would re-
quire that much time to give the docu-
ment the mature consideration its mo-
mentous character required Other Cab
met officers stated tlrat the general plan
included the sending of a presidential
message along with the report, stating
that Spain had been called upon to
make suitable response to the case pre-
sented by the Court of Inquiry. While
the Cabinet associates of the President
maintained their usual reserve as to the
exact character of the deliberations. it
was conceded that the discussion pro-
csseded ON the theory that the coming
report would show that the Maine ex-
ploslon was not the result of an acct
dent, but was due TO an external cause
This was not because of any positive
Information, however, as to the findings
Of the court. There is no doubt that
sIlbstantial unanimity exists on tile part
Of the President and all his Cabinet,
both as to the Maine question and the
general subject of Cuba The possibili-
ty of a recourse to Intervention in case
Spain declined to make suitable response
to the representations we will make
after receiving the Maine report has
been fully discussed, although necessari-
ly it has been an abstract discussion
thus far, and no conclusion has been
reached or is possible until the vital
question as to the courts findings are
before the President and Cabinet AT
the same time there is a very evident
intention to consider all eyentualities,
including the recourse to intervention,
The recognition of independence and
other methods which appear to suitably
meet the requirements of such IL condi-
tiOn. 1t is believed to be the intention
of the President, however, to bring
about very material and satisfactory
condition i'll Cuba by what shall seem to
bc the best and most practicable method
OF obtaining this end. 1t is the hope of
the administration that Spain herself
will so far realize the situation. as to
see the necessity for such radical action
on her part with respect to Cuba. as
shall command the appreciation of this
country, and thus at once put an end
to all differences.
Outside of the Cabinet melting the day
was exceptionally quiet Secretary
Long was able to clear his desk at 3:3O
o'clock for the first time since the Maine
disaster occurred, and he left the de-
partment before office hours closed to
enjoy walk. During the afternoon the
Bureau of Navigation posted the notice
that the battleship Massachusetts had
sailed from Key West for Hampton
Roads, following the Texas. which left
yesterday. About the same time Com
modore Schley, who has been suggested
as the probable commander of the ''fy-
ing squadron" centerAd at Hampton
Roads, called at the department and had
n conference with assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. The cruiser Brooklyn is at
Newport News, and the monitor Puritan
~ under orders to proceed there. so that
these vessels will be near the Hampton
Roads rendezvous, if it is determined
to establish the squadron there. Orders
for this move have not yet been made,
however, nor has Commodore Schley re-
ceiyed any information from officials
that he would be placed in command of
the squadron.
The Navy Department continues to
Keep Informed as to the Spanish torpedo
hotllla, now stopping at the Canaraies.
1t can be stated positively that the re-
port that President Mckinley has pro
tested against the coming of this hotiIIa
is unwarrantsd. There has been no
such protest.
Serious attention is being given bv
the Navy Department officials TO the
question of the acquisition of suitable
location for % coaling station somewhere
i'll the West Indies. Steps have been
taken already to establish such a station
at Dry TOrtugas, but this it is said is
the only deep water harbor available
for big war vessels between Hampton
Roads and the Rio ;Grande. Besides. if
is practically unprotected at present. and
a feet would have TO be stationed there
to portect the coal stored, which is un-
satisfactory. There are a number Of
fine harbors among the West Indies,
said "a Naval officer today, and one Of
these we ought to have for coaling
station. Secretary Long is considering