The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-16
WAR IMMINENT.
Preparations For a Struggle With Spain
bot Made without Intent
NEW SHIPS PURCHASED.


Agents Of the government have been
actively engaged during the past week in
preparing for possible conflict with
spain. Orders have been issned looking
forward to the mobilization Of the troops
stationed in the west on the Atlantic sea
coast and two new departments have
been created, the department of the Lakes
and department Of the Gulf.
The Board Of Inquiry has not yet sub
mitted its official report, but it is claimed
that the President has been officially ad
vised that the destruction of the Maine
was caused by an external explosion. and
that the official report will disclose that
mine was exploded in Havana harbor.
Monday the government purchased
two Brazilian cruisers, the Amszonas
aud the Admiral Bleuraballe, built in
England, and ali possible arrangements
are being made 10 hurry their delivery on
this side of the Atlantic. Orders have
been sent to hoist the United States flag
on both ships. One is ready to sail, and
the other has been launched, but il will
take some time to make her ready for the
sea.
All of the ships in the United States
navy not now in commission are being
repaired as rapidly as possible. Ships in
foreign waters have been ordered home,
and the most powerful navy ever assem-
bled in American waters is now at Key
West.
All ofthe companies in the country en-
gagged in the manufacture of projectiles
are working double turn on contracts
made by the government.
Henry Hall, Washington correspond
ent of the Pittsburg Times, sums up the
situation as it existed Monday night, as
follows:
There was a rumor in circulation to-
night that Secretary Long had received
unofficial information that the naval
board would report that it was unable to
fix the cause for the explosion by which
the Maine was destroyed When his at
tontiOn was called TO it, Secretary Long
promptly denied having received such
news. Whatever the information re-
ceived, if any, or expected 10 be received,
relative 20 the loss of the Maine, the fact
remains plainly apparent that the admin
istration expects developments or medi-
tates plan of action which must result
in serious international complications.
Upon no other conceivable hypothesis
can its past and present course be ex-
planned or understood. If there is not,
nor has ever been. a reasonable proba-
bility of trouble with Spain over the
blowing up Of the Maine or the Cuban
question itself, then the administration
will have hard work 10 be acquitted OF
the charge OF having done more to excite
and alarm the country than could possi-
bly, have been accomplished by all the
sensational newspaper stories that have
been printed since the Maine was de-
stroyed.
Those who know President Mckinley S
character, and the coolness and calmness
he has always displayed amid the most
exciting circumstances, and know, more
/ over, how earnestly he has desired 10
avoid war aud deprecated the agitation of
the war feeling, cannot now believe that
his present action is rash and ILL consid-
cred. There must be a sufficient cause
behind the preparations which for the
past ten days have forced upon the pub
/ lie mind the belief that there is danger of
trouble with Spain.
The Brooklyn has been brought from
Venezuela. The Bancroft and Helena
have sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, to
Norfolk and Key West. The Oregon has
left the North Pacific for South American
ports and is believed to be really on her
way to the Atlantic. If all this means
nothing and everything is peaceful, with
out prospects of this peace being even
disturbed, then this country is certainly
putting the ocean in a tempest to wsft a
feather" That such is the case no one in
Washington whose opinion is worth any
thing really believes for moment
There is much conjecture as to the in
| formation given by Senator Proctor TO the
President to-day. Whatever it is, it is
being scrupulously kept private, but no
one believes that Senator Proctor learned
anything in Cuba that differs from the
information given by scores of other COM
petent observers who have recently WIS.,
/ tied the island, and that is that it is
I bonefaSslv LOST IN Snain