The Portland daily press., 1898-03-25

yachts and four steam tugs presumably
at and near New York for use In the
auxiliary naval feet. The boats are
about four hundred tons each and in an
emergency would be suitable as torpedo
boats The yachts purchased are among
the feetest along the Atlantic coast, and
are said to be somewhat similar to the
Mayfower, recently purchased Of the Og-
den Goelet estate. This acquisition to the
navy is regarded as an exceptionally
valuable one at the present time as the
greatest nesd is felt for small craft suit
able as torpedo boats and despatch boats.
There was an additional satisfaction at
the Navy Department at the large number
secured In a single purchase. The names
of and the amounts paid for thesEari0us
yachts and tugs are. nos disclosed as 1t Is
said this would prove an embarrassment
to the government In promoting specula-
tion on other craft for which negotiations
are now proceeding.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance, Sena-
tors and Representatives from both
political parties calling tn confer with the
President. Among the callers were Sena-
tors Cullom, Fairbanks, Lodge, Aldrich,
Jones of Arkansas and Spooner and
Representative Bailey, the Democratic
floor leader in the House.
The President said to several of his
visitors today in discussing the situation
that he would do everything consistent
with the honor and dignity of the country
to avert war and he still believed war
could be averted. He also said that he be-
lieved the government of Spain was as
anxious for peace as We Tere, but at the
same time4he did not hesitate to admit
the gravity ofsthe situation. The PTesi-
dent frankly acknowledged that he be-
Iieved the report Of the board Of inquiry
would find that, the Maine was blown up
from the outside. s His Programme has
been definitely decided upon. 1t is'his'
purpose to treat the blowing up Of the
Maine as an incident. The report Of the
with : a very brief message relating
| to the. events leading up to
that point informing Congress that the
| facts contained in the report have been
cabled to Madrid to he laid before the
Spanish government by Minister Wood
! ford. No. demand will be made, upon
Spain, but the laying of the facts tefore
the Spanish government will be equiva-
lent to calling upon Spain for an expla-
nation and such action as she may deem
proper. 1t is the purpose of the House
| leaders to refer the report and message
| to the committee on foreign affairs with
out debate and to this programme it is
believed the Democrats have acquiesced
reserving tho right to demand action If
delayed. Much will then depend upon
Spain s response, but there are those close
| to the President who believe that from
the time the report is sent TO Congress it
will drop out as a ia ctor in the situation.
The second part of the Presidents pro-
gramme reaches the Maine question ana
! involves Intervention on humanitarian
grounds within week or ten days after
the report of the board goes to Congress.
1t will be Intervention to relieve the STAR
vation in, Cuba and upon Spain's acqur.
escense In or objection to this act will de-
pend peace or war. A prominent member
of the House said today that in his
| opinion the next two weeks would deter
mine which it would be. Such informa-
tion as exists here leads those close to the
President to believe that Spanish govern
| mept will go to any length it dares to
preserve reace. Ihe Queen Regent is
especially anxious to prevent war ana IL
is believes. this ministry will go just as
far as it can without jeopadrizing its own
Spanish dynasty.
The Navy Department was advised TO-
day of the sailing OF the monitor Terror
from New York for Key West, the arrival
of the Texas at Hampton Roads ana tn the
Puritan at Newport News, and OF the
monitors ,Manadnock and Monterey at
San Francisco The battleship Iexas
! came up from Key West, making an eA-
ceptionally quick run for vessel OF her
class. The Spanish authorities here nave
been informed that some time ago Capt.
Sigsbee asked permission to use dynainite
| in the destruction of the wreck OF 0ne
Maine This was refused by captain
General Blanco for the reason 1t is olhclai,
ly explained that there are evil disposed
persons who insist that the Maine MAS MAS
blown up from external causes. me
| Spanish authorities do not wanI tne
wreck destroyed as it affords an ene evl-
dence obtainable as to the actual caase
of the disaster.