Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-23
CRISIS DISCUSSED.
The Cabinet Members Firm on
the Cuban Question.
A PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
To Accompany Inquiry Boards
Report to Congress.
No overtures or Intimations Of Any Sort
Have Been Conveyed TO Spain by
the Government.


the Government.
Washington, March 22.-The cabinet
meeting today lasted over an hour, and
was devoted to the Spanish situation in
general, and to the forthcoming report
of the Maine court of inquiry in partic-
ular. The tone of the discussion indi-
Gated firm determination that there
must come an end to the present state
of affairs in Cuba.
Secretary Long authorized the state
ment that the understanding before the
cabinet was that the report would reach
Washington Thursday or Friday, that
it was very voluminous, and that its
publication and transmission to con-
gress would not occur until next Mon
day or Tuesday, as the president would
require that much time to give the doc
ument the mature consideration its
character required.
Other cabinet officials stated that the
general plan included the sending OF
presidential message along with the re-
port, stating that Spain had been called
upon to make suitable response to the
case presented by the court of inquiry
While the cabinet associates of the
president maintained their usual re-
serve as to the exact character of the
deliberations, it was conceded that the
discussion proceeded on the theory that
the coming report would show that the
Maine explosion was not the result of
an accident, but was due to an external
cause
There is no doubt that substantial
unanimity exists on the part of the
president and all his cabinet both as to
the Maine question and the general sub
ject of Cuba. The possibility Of re-
course to intervention in case Spain de-
clined to make suitable response to the
representations the president will make
after receiving the Maine report, has
been discussed fully, although necessa-
rily it has been an abstract discussion
thus far, and no conclusion has been
reached or is possible until the vital
question as to the courts findings are
before the president and cabinet At
the same time there is q very evident
| intention to consider all eVentualities,
| including the recourse to intervention,
| the recognition Of independence and
other methods which appear to suitably
meet the requirements of such condi-
ton.
1t is believed to be the intention of
the president, however, to bring about a
very material and satisfactory change
of condition in Cuba, by what shall
seem to be the best and most prac-
ticable method of obtaining this end. 1t
is the hope Of the administration that
Spain herself will so far realize the 81
tuation as to see the necessity for such
a radical action on her part with re-
spect to Cuba, as shall command the
appreciation Of this country.
Pending a discussion on the govern
ments final policy no overtures or in
timations have been conveyed to the
Spanish government. and there IS no
official knowledge as to how Spain would
regard a recognition of Cuban independ-
enee or Intervention. The Spanish min
lister, Senior Polo y Bernabe, requested
today that a statement be made that re-
ports attributing to him expressions on
the subject of independence. were un-
warranted and untrue. Senor Polo says
he has not discussed this or any other of
the pending questions.
Outside of the cabinet meeting, the
day was unexceptionally quiet. Secre-
tary Long was able to clear his desk at
8. 30 o'clock for the first time since the
Maine disaster occurred, and he left the
department before office hours closed, to
enjoy a walk. During the afternoon the
bureau of navigation posted the notice
that the battleship Massachusetts had
sailed from Key West for Hampton
Roads. following the Texas, which left
Yesterday About the same time, Com
modore Schley, who has been suggested
as the probable commander of the Fly
ing squadron centered at Hampton
Roads. called at the department and
had a conference with Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt. The cruiser Brooklyn is
at Newport News and the monitor Puri-
tan is under orders to proceed there, so
that these vessels viii be near the
Hampton Roads rendezvous, if it IS de-
termined to establish squadron there.
Orders for this movement have not vet
been made, however, nor has Com
rnodore Sohley received any information
from officials that he would be placed
in command of the squadron.
The navy department continues to
keep informed as TO the Spanish torpedo
fiotilla now stopping at the CanaIies.
Word of it's departure has not yet
reached the department. 1t can be stat
ed positively that the report that Pres
ident Mckinley has protested against
the coming of this fiotilla is unwarrant-
ed. There has been no such protest.
At the navy department nothing is
known Of the reported ordering home of
the Maine officers now at Havana. 1t
come from Admiral Sicard. and not from
the navy department. The several Maine
survivors who arrived here last Satur-
day came in response to orders from Adj
miral Sicard, and it was for this reason
that their arrival was surprise to the
naval officials here. 1t is not expected
that Capt. Sigsbee, Lieutenant Com
mander Wainwright and others who are
assisting in the work of wreckage will
leave Havana until the salvage of the
Maine is complete.
Serious attention is being given by the
navy department officials to the ques-
ton of the acquisition of a suitable To-
cation for coaling station somewhere
in the West Indies. Steps have been al
ready taken to establish snch a station
at the Dry Tortugas. but this, 1t is said
is the only deep-water harbor available
for big war vessels between Hampton
roads and the Rio Grande. Besides it is
practically unprotected at present, and
a fleet would have tC be stationed there
to protect the coal stored which is un-
satisfactory. The officials, therefore
have been casting about for a location
which would serve the purposes of a
coaling station, and which the United
States might acquire either by purchase
or cession from one of the friendly gov-
ernments.
There are a number of fine harbors
among the West Indies" said a naval
officer today, "and in one of these we
ought fO have ooaliuO ctofipoa Caoro-