The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-03-12

WASHINGTON, March S.-The appro
priation of 500, OOO, 900 by Il unanimous
vote of the house has done much tc
remove doubt ut the capital that Thu
government is getting ready to inter
vene IN Cuba. The report of the Maine
Court of Inquiry now is expected to
reach Washington within a week.
With the preparations which the
president now is authorized TO make,
there is no doubt teIt here that when
the report of the Maine inquiry is
received, active intervention in Cuba
will be decided upon.
There has been nc change which
renders the preparation for war less
desirable nor the probability for war
less apparent. As before, it lies with
Spain to choose whether she will have
war or not. The feints and moves
forward and backward occupy the el g
and seem to present a variety OF
changes, but there has been no change
in the main issue, except the develop
ment in one direction with steadily
increasing gravity.
Spain has Withdrawn her request for
the recall of Consul General Lee. All
this indicates, in the opinion of public
men, that things moved too rapidly IN
Washington for Spain. There Is no
doubt in the minds of men in congress
that the request for the recall OF Lee
was Il disclosure of the purpose Of Spain
to movo to desperate measures. Bu'
Spain did not expect such promptness
from this government. The vigorous
course of President Mckinley, whom
De Lome had deceived the Spanish
into thinking was not likely to acI
promptly, set things into motion NOR
rapidly than was anticipated. l.
became necessary TO draw back a little.
but this backward movement is believed
to be but a temporary e%xpedIent on the
part of Spain.
The great moves toward war ar.
going on without check. The reliable
signs are the approprlating of none!
aud the buying of ships and the gather
ing of offensive forces.
The action of Spain with respect t"
Lee is regarded as almost as signiican
with the request Withdrawn as it would
be if insisted on. The request wa,
never a cause of war, but was an indi-
cation. The withdrawal simply in
forms the government that Spain L.
not quite so near ready for action a.
her Insisteuce woald have shown bel
to be.
The appropriation of $4,000, OOt
means that TINS government is goi"i
10 follow out a policy which can resur
in but one of two things-an immedia''
amelioration of conditions In Cuba oi
else war. Spain must back down alt =
gsther or maintain herself by mean'
O her than diplomacy.
Aside from the recognition of tn
gravity OF the situation In asking to'
the appropriation, there is a poiitlca
phase which cannot be ignored. 1t /
recognized by everyone here, the admin
istraIion not less than congress, that
when the president asks for and gets
from congress such an appropriation
to be used absolutely at his discretion
in national defense, he obligates him.
self t bring to a conclusion the irritat-
ing Cuban question. This ne under
takes to do, whether 1t causes war or
not. If Spain wisely decides to avoid
disaster and not TO go to war, thu
otherwise inevitable result can b'
avoided. Apparently the only escape
is by her retirement.
Tho course of Spain in preparing
for war coDvinces public men here that
she Is not wise enough or not able to
retire. She is draining the
of her people to maze these prepare
tons and it is not believed that Sagasls
will dare yield without making use OF
the means which the sacrifices of thu
Spanish people have put in his hands
for the defense of the Spanish conten-
ton. The most conservative and sub
stantial men in congress today seem L"
take exen-A-D@-e-ssriogs view u tbL
situation than they did under the
excitement of the Lee incident.
Instead of merely having two cruisers
go to Cuban ports, remaining long
enough to discharge their cargo, We
will have the Montgomery In The
Havana harbor, where she q remain
for some time. 1t is recognized Ss ii
dangerous mission for the Montgomery.
bat ii is felt TO be of greet importance
to have a war vessel at Havana to pro-
tect aud bring away General Lee all"
the navy officers IN event of trouble
such AS to require their departure.
Tuday's session of the cabinet WA
undoubtedly the most momentous il
the history of tbs administration, an"
probably for more than thirty years.
The gravity of the situation was
fully realized by every member, but
this feeling was accompanied by a
Ouoyancy such Us is not often noticed
in members of the presidents oficIa'
f'miIy. The session lasted two aud II
half hours. The president was warmly
assured that every step that had been
taken met with the approval OF hi,
advisers.
The question of how to expend The
appropriation OF $50, 900, 900 when i,
IS made, occupied the greater part OF
the time of the cabinet. IL resulted II
an understanding that the mount vii
be expended by Secretary Long tor tn
navy aud Secretary Alger for the army
being divided h"tween Them In th'
proportion which the president consid
ers beat. 30 matter what happens.
I ha nresident will the eurl\