Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-25
Report of the Board OF Inquiry Now
Regarded AS a Minor Incident.
Relief of Cuba the Great Question On Which Peace or
War Hangs--The Day in Washington
rlarked By Important Events.

Washington, March 24-The last hours
before the arrival of the report Of the
Maine court of inquiry were Of unexam-
pied activity in all official quarters. Ad-
vices came early that the Spanish tor
pedo fiotilla had sailed from the Cana
ries for Porto Rico and from this mo-
ment the most energetic warlike meas
ures followed one another in constant
succession. The movement Of this fleet
had been watched with the keenest in
terest, as it was felt to involve serious
possibilities which might compel the
United States government to protest
against the movement as of hostile
character.
Immediately on receipt of the official
dispatch from one of our naval attaches
abroad, briefly announcing the sailing
of the fleet, the fact was made known to
the president and an earnest conference
was held between him and Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roose-
velt
The seriousness of the move was fully
considered, and the president was ad-
vised that naval strategists regarded it
as essential that this torpedo fleet
should not be allowed to reach western
waters. What conclusion, if any, was
reached, is not known. Later in the
| day the Spanish minister, Senor Polo y
Bernabe, called at the state department
and spent some time with Judge Day.
1t was naturally inferred that the ap-
proaeh Of the Spanish flotilla was one
of the subjects referred to- Whether,
| however. there was any suggestion
against the move, was not disclosed by
either Judge Day or the Spanish minis
ter, both Of whom maintained the strict
est reIcence regarding the conference.
The f1otilla announcement was fol-
lowed rapidly by important news.
The first was this announcement by
Secretary Long, indicating the placing
of our squadron and fleet on war foot
ing: -
admiral Sicard has been granted
leave, very much to the regret of the
navy department, and altogether on ac-
count of his health.
Capt. Sampson has been made com
mander OF the fleet at Key West; Capt.
Evans has been ordered to take COM
mand of the battleship Iowa.
THE orders to the squadron in Ham
ton Roads have not yet been issued"
Although the announcement did not
so state, II soon became KNOWN lhdl
Commodore w. S. Schley was slated to
command the "FIlying squadron
This announcement was recognized at
once as of unusual Importance at this
juncture. Admiral Sicard has been in
command Of the fleet at Key West
throughout the critical period Of the
Maine disaster. Capt. Sampson has
been in command of the Iowa, but more
recently has been conspicuous before
nf
court of inquiry. Capt. Robley Evans
is better known as Fighting Bob"
The next important move was de-
termination to create a joint commits
sion from the war and navy depart
ments, so as to bring into harmonious
action all measures. Capt. Barker, the
naval aide of Secretary Long, was de-
s,gnated to represent the navy depart
ment in this plan of action. The rep
resentative of the war department has
not yet been named. 1t will not be nee
essary for these two officers to leave
Washington; they can best arrange a
joint plan Of action in conference with
the bureau chiefs of the two depart
ments here.
Then at the close of the day came an
announcement that the navy depart
ment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yachts and four steam
tugs, presumably at and near New York,
for use in the auxiliary naval fleet. The
boats are about 400 tons each. and in
an emergency would be suitable as tor
pedo boats The yachts purchased are
among the fleetest along the Atlantic
coast, and are said to be somewhat
similar to the Mayfower, recently pur-
chased of the Ogden Goelet estate. This
ACQUISITION to the navy is regarded as
an exceptionally valuable one at the
present time. as the greatest need is
felt for small craft suitable as torpedo
boats and dispatch boats. There was
an additional satisfaction at the navy
department at the large number Sc
cured In a single purchase. The names
of and the amounts paid for the various
yachts and tugs are not disclosed, as it
is said this would prove an embarrass-
ment to the government, in promoting
speculation on other craft for which
negotiations are now proceeding.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance, sem
ators and representatives from both
political parties calling to confer with
the president Among the callers were
Senators CullOn Fairbanks Lodge,
.Aldrich Jones of Arkansas and Spooner
and Representative Bailey the demo-
cratic floor leader In the house.
The president said to several OF his
visitors today. in discussing the situa-
ton, that he would do everything con
sistent with the honor and dignity of
the country, to avert war. and he still
believed war could be averted.
He also said that he believed the gov
ernment of Spain was as anxious for
peace as we were, but at the same time
he did not hesitate to admit the gravity
of the situation. The president frankly
acknowledged that he believed the re-
port of the board of inquiry would find
that the Maine was blown llr, from fhe
outside. His program had been definite
ly decided upon. 1t is his purpose to
treat the blowing UP of the Maine as