The western recorder., 1898-03-24
THE COURTS REPORT
IT HAS BEEN fInIsHED.
VIII he Published In Few Dsys-Presi-
dent Mckinley Calls speaker Reed AID
<Dther. Into Conference.

Washington March z2.-The proceed
ure in connection with The submission
Of the report Of the Maine court of in
quiry by the President and Congress
is now clearly outlined. and Cabinet
officer to-day explained the general line
Of action al present Intended 10 DE pur-
sued upon receipt Of the report, which
is expected to reach Washington Ifext
Thursday \ copy Of II will be laid
before the Spanish government very
early. and as soon as can he consistent
ly done. report will be sent 10 Con
gress and be made public At the same
time The report to Congress VIII be
accompanied by n message from the
President. stating that after receiving
the report the conclusions were laid be-
fore the Spanish government and APP
propriafe action from that quarter
asked.
II is stated positively that no part OF
the report and no iniimaii0n Of the
findings has reached the executive au-
thoritles at Washington as yet At the
same time II is n noticeable fact that
the current of official opinion is begin
ming to follow that of the unofficial
opinion expressed so positively and per-
sistently at Havana and Key West.
that the cause Of the explosion WIS ex-
ternal to the batflesliip.
The baftleship Texas started north
ward from Key West to-day. thus set
tling the question as 10 the formation
OF 4 second squadron At or near Hamp-
TO Roads. 1t is expected the Massa-
chusetts will follow in a few days but
the final orders for that move have not
been made
1t is generally believed here in official
circles thar the President has made up
his mind to recognize the Independence
OF Cuba. but it Is known that he does
not intend 60 tnke up this matter until
IA settlement is reached with Spain over
the destruction Of the Maine. This
morning he sent for prominent leaders
in Congress. among them being Speak
er Reed. and discussed the situation
with them.
To these visitors the President poini-
ed out the difficulties OF the situation
which everyone admits are really
great. He said most positively that II
was his intention to go ahead toward a
solution OF the whole problem in n
way he hoped would DE satisfactory to
Congress and 10 the country. but that
for the present he wished 10 deal with
the affair OF Tie Maine alone and with
out complicating 1t with the greater
problem of the future of Cuba. The
President asked that Congress stay its
hand and take no action till he was
ready. which he promised would be
very soon.
The correspondent of the New York
Sun says:
The President does not now intend to
ask for reparution or demand lndemni-
iy. but simply To give Spain an oppor-
tunity TO make amends for such meas
ure OF. guilt as may be laid at her doors
by the report of the naval court.
Indemnity would be no satisfaction
for the loss of the. Maine, ana the Pres
Ident will not waste time, therefore. in
asking for II. especially as he thinks
it would not be granted If he did.
President Mckinley fully appreciates
the fact that the American people will
not brook unnecessary delay on the
part OF Spain. and Congress would no'
under any circumstances agree TO sub
nit TO arbitration the question as to
Spain's responsibility for the blowing
up of the Maine.
The Presidents idea Is that 10y an
nouncing his Cuban policy, which CON
templates direct recognition Of Cuban
independence, the controversy involved
in the blowing up of the Maine, and the
progress of the court of .arbltra ton
would be swallowed up in events tina;
would follow. Spain, it is thought,
would Immediately declare war against
the United States or commit an overt
act that would compel the United
States TO declare war against her. OF
she would decide TO avoid war by re-
llnquishlng Cuba.
Very little time will be given after
Congress shall have been acquainted
with the findings of the naval court of
f,.a rf,-x-f II l. Il
at an early date 10 accept the good
offices of the United States recogni-
iion of independence viii quickly fol-
low.