The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-28

| NdsHingtOI, MdTcn -s.-1ne preSl-
dent saw a number of the members of
the cabinet at the white house to-day
They dropped in one by one until those
present included Secretaries Bliss. AL
ger. Gage and Attorney General
Griggs. With them also was Assistant
Secretary Day of the state department.
who presumably had some dispatches
to show the president. The gathering
was not a special cabinet meeting i'm
the sense i'm which the term is gen
orally used. but simply talk between
the president and his advisors such as
occurred last Sunday concerning mat
ters on which he desired to consult
them. The Cuban question and the re-
port of the Maine court OF inquiry were
the topics discussed. but so far as could
be ascertained, nothing conclusive was
determined, one of the members of the
cabinet saying subsequently that there
was nothing new or startling in the
situation.
The presence of Judge Day would in
fer that there were advices from Min
lister Woodford. but further than an
acknowledgment that communication
is in progress between the state de-
partment and the minister. nothing
could be ascertained.
At the state, war and navy depart
ments there was. during the earlier por-
tions of the day, little semblance of the
Sabbath. Chiefs of bureaus, clerks
messengers and telegraph operators
were at work. Probably never since
the days of the late war have so many
officials gathered at the war and navy
departments on Sunday. Dispatches
that came over night regarding the
mo Of l.sr ..,l
ters were received, and as many of
them required prompt answer in the
present emergency, replies were for
warded.
Secretary Long. however, did not ap-
pear at the navy department during
the day, as most of the matters requir-
Ing attention were those that could as
well be attended by bureau officials and
their assistants. Mrs. Long has been
Ill for some time and the secretary, in
part. shook official cares and spent the
major portion of the day with her. In
the afternoon, In company with Mrs.
Long. the secretary drove to the navy
yard and inspected the dynamite cruis-
er Vesuvius. which is having her guns
repaired. The vessel has been at the
yards about "A week and great crowds
have been there to see her.
Assistant Secretary Day spent a por-
ton of the Sabbath at the state de-
anu tntft received call
from the Spanish minister. a rather un-
usual procedure. indicating important
matters for consideration. The confer
ence lasted some time, but it's nature
could not be learned.
Tonight Copmodore Winfield :.
Schley, just appointed the commander |
of the flying squadron" left here for |
Norfolk. IL is expected that Tomorrow |
he will hoist his flag on the Brooklyn. !
which is to be the flagship of the fleet |
The only other vessel of the squadron |
now at Hampton Roads is the Massa- 1
chusetts. OF the remaining three, the /
Texas is in New York receiving her |
ammunition hoists, and the Columbia !
and Minneapolis are at League island, |
where the final work preparatory to /
their service is being hurriedly done.
The latter will be at Norfolk about the /
middle of the week.
The developments of the day in the /
Cuban situation indicate steady prog
ress in the negotiations of this country /
and spain looking TO the maintenance
of peace. for the present at least.
There is good authority for saying that
Spain's wish is to secure a cessation !
of hostilities in Cuba rather than TO
engage in a war with the United States
and that IL is more than probable that
the negotiations between the govern
ment of the United States and the Sa-
gasta ministry will take a turn in the
future. The present Spanish
has professed a pacific dispO-
sition from the beginning and the indi-
cations are strong now that II will
avail itself Of the good Offices of the
United States to the fullest extent that
public opinion in Spain will allow i'm
bringing TO an end the hostilities in
Cuba.
To what extent the United States
nay go in assisting Spain in her pres
mt design Of securing an armistice is
lot yet determined. but the conserva-
i've element in the administration con-
'ider the manifestation Of this desire
IN the part of Spain for even a tenn
)orary peace a direct result of Presi-
lent Mckinley's diplomacy. and they
ire naturally disposed TO contend that
he president should be left free for
he present at least. To pursue a policy
which promises much in the way of
preventing war between this country
md Spain. also of bringing 10 a close
he hOstilitieS in Cuba Hence fhsra 4