Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-25
IS EXPECTED SOON.
Official Statement Regarding tho
Report Is Given Out.
DUE TO ARRIVE THURSDAY OR FRIDAY.
win Not he Sent to Congress before
Monday or Tucsday-President and
Cabinet Consider the Ques-
tlon in All Its Phases.

Washington, Marcn 25.--I lie caDlnet
meeting Tuesday lasted something over
an hour and was devoted exclusively to
the Spanish situation in general and to
the forthcoming report of the Maine
court of inquiry in particular. The
tone of the discussion was very firm and
determined that there must come an
cndeto the present state of affairs in
Cuba. Secretary Long authorized the
statement that the understanding be-
fore the cabinet was that the report
would reach Washington on next
Thursday or Friday; that it was very
vcluminous and that the publication
and transmission to congress would not
occur until next Monday or Tuesday, as
the president would require that much
time to give the document the mature
consideration that it's momentous char
acter required.
Plan to BE Pursued.
Other cabinet officers stated that the
general plan included the sending of a
presidential message along with the
report, stating that Spain had been
called upon to make suitable response
tic the case presented by the court of in
quiry. While the cabinet associates of
the president maintained their usual
reserve as to the exact character of
their deliberations, yet it was conceded
that the discussion proceeded on theory
that the coming report would show that
the Maine explosion was not the result
of an accident, but was due to an ex-
ternal 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
general subject of Cuba.
All Phases Considered.
The possibilities of recourse to in
PREVENTION in case Spain declined to
make suitable response to the repre-
sentations we will make after receiv-
ling the Maine report has been fully
discussed, although necessarily 1t has
been an abstract discussion thus far,
and no conclusion has been reached,
NOR is itpossible until the vital question
las to the courts findings is before the
president and the cabinet. AT the same
time there is a very evident intention to
consider all eventualities, including the
recourse to intervention, the recogni-
tion of independence and other meth
DDS which appear to suitably meet the
requirements of such a condition.
1t is believed to be the intention of
The president, however, to bring about
a very material and satisfactory condi-
ltion in Cuba by what shall seem to be
OF obtaining this end. 1t is the hope
n mi ,1ic fro ion, f1,n{
self will so far realize the situation as
TO see the necessity for such radical
action on her part with respect to Cuba
as shall command the appreciation of
this country, and thus at once put an
end to all differences.
Pending decision on the govern
ment's final policy, no overtures or in
timations have been conveyed to the
Spanish government and there is no
official knowledge as to how Spain
would regard recognition of Cuban
independence or intervention. The
Spanish minister, Senior Polo, requested
Tuesday that a statement be made that
reports attributing TO him expressions
on the subject of independence were I'M
warranted and untrue. Senior Polo saws
he has not discussed this or any other
OF the pending questions.
Movements of Warships.
Outside of the cabinet meeting the
day was exceptionally quiet. Secretary
Long was able to clear his desk at $3.50
o'clock for the first time since the Maine
disaster occurred, and he left the de-
partment before Office hours closed to
enjoy walk. During the afternoon
the bureau of navigation posted the
notice that the battleship Massachu-
sets had sailed from Key West for
Hampton Roads, following the Texas,
(which left Monday. About the same
time Commodore Schley, who has been
suggested as the probable commander
of the flying squadron conferred at
Hampton Roads, called at the depart
iment and had conference with AS.
sistant Secretary Roosevelt. The
cruiser Brooklyn is at Newport Newt
and the monitor Puritan is under or.
ders to proceed there, so that these yes
sells will be near the Hampton Roads
rendezvous if it is determined to es.
tablish the squadron there Orders for
this move have not yet been made, how
ever, nor has Commodore Schley re-
ceiyed any information from officials
that he would be placed in command Of
the squadron.
Has Made No Protest.
The navy department continues to
keep informed as to the Spanish tor
pedo fleet, now stopping at the Canaries.
Word of its departure has not reached
the department. It can be stated DOS
atively that the report that President
Mckinley has protested against the
coming of this fotilla is unwarranted.
There has been no such protest.
Starts with the Report.
Key West, Fla, March 23.-Lieut.
Commander Mark. judge advocate of
the United States naval court of inquiry
into the loss of the battleship Maine.
left Key West Monday afternoon on
his way to Washington, taking with
him the report Of the court on the dis
aster.
All the officers of the Maine now here.
except Paymaster's Clerk Mccarthy.
have received orders to leave for their
I homes, there to await orders, as In the
case of other officers who left here
last week. This is considered to be
evidence that the court will not require
the confederation of technical evidence,
hs was thought few days ago.
u Most Peculiar Case.
The decision reached by the court Is
still matter of SI1rmise PerhapS poma