The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-23
But 1t Is Not Likely to BE Transmit
ted to Congress Before Monday or
Tuesday of Next Week.
MEETING OF THE CABINET
AT WHICH THE STATE OF AFFAIRS
IN CUBA WAS DISCUSSED.
President and His Advisers Deter
p mined that Present Conditions on
the Island Must Be Chang ed.



Associated Press Rerort.
WASHINGTON, March 22.--The Cabinet
meeting to-day lasted something over an
hour, and was devoted exclusively to the
Spanish situation in general and to the
inquiry in particular. The tone of the dis
cussion was very firm and determined that
there must come an end to the present state
of affairs in Cuba. Secretary Long author
lied the statement that the. understanding
by the Cabinet was that the report which
left Key West this afternoon, would reach
Washington on next Thursday or Friday;
that it was very voluminous and that its
publication and transmission to Congress
would not occur until next Monday or Tues
day, as the President would require that
consideration that it's momentous character
required. Other Cabinet officers stated that
the general plan included the sending of
presidential message along with the report,
through Minister woodford, to make suit
able response to the case presented by the
court of inquiry.
While tks Cabinet associates of the Pres
ident mainhained their usual reserve as to
the exact character of their deliberations,
yet it was conceded that the discussion
proceeded on the theory that the coming re-
port 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 gem
eral subject of Cuba.
The possibility of a recourse to interven-
tion in case Spain declined to make suitable
make regarding the situation in Cuba has
been fully discussed. Necessarily con-
sideration of the Maine disaster
has been abstract thus far and
no conclusion has been reached. nor is
it possible until the vital question as to the
courts findings is before the President and
Cabinet AT the same time, there is very
evident intention to consider all eventuali-
ties, including the recourse to intervention
the recognition of independence and other
methods which appear suitable to meet the
requirements of such a condition.
1t is believed to be the intention of the
President to bring about a very material
and satisfactory change in Cuba by what
shall seem to be the best and most practi-
| cable method of obtaining this end. 1t is
| the hope of the administration that Spain
herself will SO realize the situation as to
see the necessity for such radical action on
her part with respect to Cuba as shall COM
mand the appreciation of this country and
thus at once put an end to all differences
Pending a decision on the governments S
final policy, no overtures or intimations
have been conveyed to the Spanish govern
ment, ard there is no official knowledge
as to how Spain would regard recogni-
ton of Cuban independence or interven-
ton. The Spanish minister, Senior Polo, re-
quested to-day that statement be made
that reports attributing to him expressions
on the subject of independence were un-
warranted and untrue. Senior Polo says he
has not discussed this or any other of the
pending questions.
While no one having a knowledge of the
dent, it is believed that the question of
arbitration in connection with the disaster
to the Maine is no longer under considera-
tion. The recent speech of Senator Proctor
seems to have cleared the minds of the
members of the administration as to the
real condition in Cuba, and it is now be-
be treated only as an incident to the main
question. 1t is asserted that the two are
so Intimately connected that one necessarily
involves the other and it is believed to be
the Presidents purpose to bring about, in
whatever action he may now take. a set
tlement Of the whole Cuban question.
Whether this involves n war with Spain,
it is believed rests entirely with Spain her
self. Persons closely associated with the
administration believe that Spain will ulti-
mately be compelled to solve the Cuban
problem herself, and to the entire satisfac-
ton of this government. or take the conse-
quences of intervention.
Senators Allison and German saw the
President to-day by appointment, The Pres