The record-union., 1898-03-25

small craft suitable as torpedo boats
and dispatch boats
There was additional satisfaction al
the Navy Department at the large
number secured in a single purchase
The names and amounts paid for the
various yachts and tugs are not dis
closed, as it is said this would prove
an embarrassment to the Government
in promoting speculation on other craft
for which negotiations are now pend
ing.
THE SITUATION GRAVE.
! Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance
Senators and Representatives from
both political parties calling to confer
with the President Among the callers
We're Senators Cullom, Fairbanks, Aid
rich, Jones of Arkansas, and Spooner
and Representative Bailey, the Demo
/ cratic leader in the House.
The President said to several of his
visitors to-day in discussing the stu
alton that he would do everything con
sistent with the honor and dignity of
still believed war could be averted He
also said that he believed the Govern
ment of Spain was as anxious for peace
as We were, but at the same time ne
/ 70 adj no ittv
| of the situation. The President frank
/ ly acknowledged that he believes the
| report of the Board of Inquiry will find
that the Maine was blown up from the
outside.
! THE MAINE DISASTER.
His programme has been definitely
decided. 1t is the purpose to treat the
blowing up of the Maine as an Incl
dent. The report Of the board will be
sent to Congress on Monday. A very
brief message relating to the events
leading up to that point. and informing
Congress that the facts contained in
the report have been cabled to Madrid
TO be laid before the Spanish Govern
ment by Minister Woodford. will ac-
company it. No demand will be made
upon Spain, but the laying of the facts
before the Spanish Government will be
equivalent to calling upon Spain for
an explanation and such action as she
may deem proper.
1t is the purpose of the House lead
efs TO refer the report and message to
the Committee on Naval Affairs with
out debate, and to this purpose it is
believed the Democrats of the House
have acquiesced, reserving the right to
/ demand prompt action if the report
from the committee is too long delayed.
Much will then depend upon SPANS
/ response, but there are those close to
/ the President who believe that from
! the time the report is sent to Con-
gress it will drop out as a factor in the
situation.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The second part of the President
programme reaches the main question,
+ and fnYoves Intervention on hurnani-
tartan grounds within a week or ten
days after the report of the board goes
to Congress. 1t will be intervention to
relieve the starvation in Cuba. and up
on SPANS acquiescence in or objection
to this act Will depend peace or war.
! A prominent member of the House said
to-day that in his opinion the next
two weeks would determine which it
would be.
| Such information as exists here leads
those close to the President to believe
that the Spanish Government will go
to any length it dares to preserve
peace The Queen Regent is especially
anxious to prevent war, and it is be
heved the Ministry will go Just as far
as it can without jeopardizing its own
existence and survival of the present
Spanish dynasty.
MOVEMENT OF WARSHIPS.
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 and the Puritan at Newport
News, and of the monitors Monadnocl
and Monterey at San Francisco. The
battleship Texas came up from Key
West making an exceptionally quick
run for vessel of her class.
The Spanish authorities here have
been informed that some time ago Cap
tain Sigsbee asked permission to use
dynamite in the destruction of the
wreck of the Maine. This was refused
I by Captain General Bianco. for the
/ reason it is officially explained, that
as there are evil-disposed persons who
insist that the Maine was blown ND
| from external causes. the Spanish au-
thorities do not want the wreck de-
stroyed, as it affords all the evidence
oo'alnable as to the actual cause of the
disaster.
MCKINLEY WANTS MORE TIME.
hopes to Secure Peace in Cuba bv