The times., 1898-03-03

however that should serious trouble with
Spain be the outcome of the present dim
Guilty that Democrats would stand by the
Republicans in protecting the national
fonor. They explained the unusual quiet
on the part of Democrats in respect to
the Cuban situation by saying that it
was better to wait until after the Court
of Inquiry made it's report on the Maine
disaster The general impression was
that until the majority in the House
acted the minority should remain silent.
As to the utterances of the Secretary OF
the Navy the sentiment was general that
he had overreached himself.
Mr.. Lewis of Washington is one of the
many members of the House who have
expressed indignation at the utterances
of Secretary Long Tuesday, respecting
the Maine disaster.
He will today or as soon as opportu-
nity offers present resolution which he
believes will reflect the sentiments OF
majority of the members, even If the
party lash should prevent them from eX-
pressing. such opinions by vote.
The resolution will ask Congress to dis
approve of the sentiments expressed by
the Secretary of the Navy in his utter
ances to newspaper men Tuesday be-
cause it was done for the evident pur-
pose of influencing the finding of the
Court of Inquiry by giving views at this
time which he expects the court to re-
fleet back in their open report.
Mr. Lewis declared that in his opinion
the Secretary Of the Navy had this OBJ
ject in view and also the bolstering up of
the stock market by making public an
official opinion. Mr. Lewis also believes
it is now the purpose of the Secretary of
the Navy to prevent Congress from TAX
ing any steps looking to the increase of
! l. 4
all he can to aid Congress in following
the suggestion of Gen. Miles to increase
| the Army in thickly populated CONNER
cial cities and manufacturing cities that
labor disputes may be settled by the can
non,
Mr.. Lewis also declares that the atti-
| tude of the Secretary of the Navy in an
nouncing the result of the Court of In
quiry before the report has been made by
that body to be an outrage, and deserv-
| ing of the SeVerest condemnation.
| Mr.. De Armond of Missouri, one of the
| most prominent friends of Cuba, on the
| floor of the House. when asked for his
| views of Secretary Longs remarks. said:
| Having joined with other Administra-
ton officers in advising all TO withhold
! judgment concerning the Maine disaster
until the facts can be ascertained through
! official investigation, why does not Sec
! retary Long keep back his impressions? :?
| Does Spain grow restiye if the Adm. mis-
| tration quits for a few days the express
| sion of its gratitude on account of being
! hcked?'
| Mr.. McMillin of Tennessee an acl6nowi-
edged Democrat leader, said that he was
| not well informed on the subject. and was
not fully prepared to express an opinion
! as to where the responsibility for the
| Maine disaster rested, but that inasmuch
| as the Court of Inquiry had not reported
| off cial11 To Of
| who has made known that Spain's re-
sponsiblity for the disaster is eliminated
| for the loss of American seamen and
| $5.000,000 of property, that either the Sec
| retary has information upon which he
makes this most remarkable statement
| which is concealed from the public, or he
| has jumped to conclusions and p1eju-
diced the case. No other Interpretation
can be placed on the statement of the
| Secretary.
Mr.. Ermentrout of Pennsylvania, also
| q Democrat. said among other things: 81
do not think that the Spanish govern
ment is directly to blame for the Maine
disaster, but | do think that she is re-
spOnsible for it, as the Maine was lying
in Cuban harbor and should have been
protected from any outside interfer-
| ence"
There is a prevailing impression that
nothing definite will come before the
House respecting the Spanish situation
until after the Court of Inquiry makes
an official report. The resolution which
Mr.. Lewis of Washington will introduce
will naturally create discussion if it is
permitted by the chairman of the Com
mittee of the Whole, but after the re,
markable ruling of Mr. Lacey OF Iowa
few days ago on the resolution of Mr.
Lewis denouncing Minister Woodford fol
banqueting Spanish officials at the pres
ent time, it is very doubtful if Mr.. Lewis
will be able to secure debate on his
measure.