The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-17
The PRESIDENTS POSITION,
He Believes Spain VIII Comply With Our
Demands.

pressure to be brought upon Spain by Eu-
ropean flnanciers and others who control,
her purse istrings and our general state
of preparedness to meet war ths President
believes that Spain will fnd q way to conf
ply with our demands both as regards the
Maine disaster and the general Cuban
question. He admits, however, thas
there are ugly timos ahead, and that
many war scares are likely, oven II hos
tilities in the ond can be avoided
. Tho attitude assumed by Spain In Init.
mating that the presence OF United States
war vessels In close proximity to Cuba Is
interfering with the success of autonomy
shows that the-Spanish Government is
preparing for 20 diplomatic controversy
that does not forebode graceful submits
sion to the demands which may be made
In the direction for Independence in
Cuba ~
The action Of Minister Polo in suggest
ing to Assistant Secretary Day the with
drawal of our vessels and a less bellicose
attitude on our part pending the forth
withcoming election is considered by
some diplomats here US good diplomatio
stroke for Spain.
The object evidently is to attempt to
show to the nations Of the world that IL
autonomy fails 1t is because the attitude
of the United States has been such as to-
encourage the insurgents in holding out
In the hope Of intervention by this coun-
try.
Having inaugurated an autonomist poll
Icy at the urgent solicitation Of this coun-
try, tho Spanish representatives here take
the ground that we should give 1t every
opportunity for fair trial, that we have
not done so and that the continued pres
ence of powerful fleet within few hours
sail Of Havana will operate to prevent
fair test Of the scheme at the forthcoming
elections. d
Minister PolO's representations how
> ever, have not changed the policy Of the
administration. The North Atlantic
Squadron is not only to remain where 1t Is.
but will be Increased and extensive mill.
and naval preparations are to continue to
be actively pushed. There has been slight
change Of programme in regard to the
movement Of vessels in Cuban waters. =.
The Montgomery, now anchored in Ha-
vana harbor, Is to come back to Key West
aud be replaced by the naval supply YES
sci Fern. 1t is declared at both the State
departments, however, that this change IL
not due to any representations made by
the Spanish Government.
The coming week will be an enentful
one. 1t is understood that thel report Of
the Court Of Inquiry will be in the hands
of the President on Saturday. Anticipate
ing that the findings will clearly show
that an outside explosion caused the dis.
aster, the President has already made up
his mind what kind of a demand he will
make upon Spain, and will therefore lose
no tlmein formulating his note to the
Spanish Government.
The President has in no sense changed
his purpose to insist that the destruction
of tho Maine and the killing Of her officers
and men Is an additional and final reason
why the war must stop. Just when or OK.
actly how, he will carry out this general
purpose will probably be fully determined
within very few days after tho receipt Of
the report -;
ITALIAN VESSEL HAS BEEN PURCHASED.
Rome, March 17..Examiinng the Cuban
question, the "Secolo" draws the conclu-
sion that the sole possible solution of the
question is that Cuba should place itsele
under the protection Of the United States.
The Intervention Of the United States IL
says, Is perfectly logical. Cuba ought to
be as free as Spain. Even France, In van
gushing Spain, lost Cuba. ills an his
torical fatality. a.
Replyng in the Chamber to Deputy
Santinis Interpolation on reportssthat tho
firm of Orlando had asked for authoriza-
tion to sell to foreign State the ironolad
Carlo Alberto, already finished, Signor
Brin, Minister of Marine, made an evasivs
answer, declaring 1t WAS necessary, In Or
der to give work to private dock yards. |
This is equivalent to u confirmation Of
the report Santini. when asked about ID.
stated the sale is said to have been made
to tho United States.
Rudini stated that the question Of arbi-
tratlon in connection with the Maine dis
aster is simple project the scheme will
DO settled on after the replies of tho
powers, AMI. in any case, the answer OF
Spain will be awaited. Spain will DO COIL
fldentally advised by tho powers to de-
mand spontaneously the verdict Of an in
ternational committee. Il
MARINES WANTED.
Washington, March 1.-THE Navy on.
listments up to tho present time have not
been entirely satisfactory to the Adminis.
tration. While number of recruits have
been enrolled since the various stations
were opened. Uncle Sam still needs more
marines. -.-Ai
4 Il l.lntv II