Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-23
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN CUBA.
President Determined TO Bring About
ImpTOY6meItby Most Practical Method.
.rLYING SQUADRON GATHERING.
bids Opened for Powder for SEN
Coast Guus-Thc Newport News
Launchtng-Nc nuy n Small War
Nessel-Enlistment Extension,

d. 20 the Spanish situation in general
and the forthcoming report Of the Maine
court Of inquiry in particular.
The tone Of the discussion was very
firm and determined TO the effect that
there must come an end to the present
state Of affairs in Cuba
secretary Long authorized the state
ment that the understanding before the
cabinet was that the report would reach
Washington Thursday or Friday; that it
was very voluminous, and that it's pub
lcaton 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 it's momentous
character required. other Cabinet officers
stated that the general plan included the
sending Of presidential message along
with the report, stating that Spain had
been called upon TO make suitable re-
suonse 10 the case presented by the
court Of inquiry.
While the Cabinet associates Of the
Ires.deut maintained their usual reserve
us 90 the exact character of the delibe-
r.u0us, II was conceded that the discus
sion proceeded on the theory that the
coming report would show that the Maine
explosion was not the result Of an acc-
dent but was due TO an external cause.
his was not because Of any positive in
formation, however. as to the findings
of the court. There is no doubt that SUBJ
s,antial unanimity exists on the part Of
The President and all his Cabinet, both
as to the Maine question and the general
subject OF Cuba.
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION.
The possibility Of recourse to inter
vention in case Spain declined to make
suitable response to the representations
we viii make regarding the situa-
ti0n In Cuba has been discussed. Neces-
sarily. the consideration Of the Maine dis
aster has been I'm the abstract thus far,
and no conclusion has been reached,
or is possible, until the vital ques-
tion as TO the courts findings Is
before the President and Cabinet.
AT the same time. there is a very
evident intention TO consider all eventu-
alities including recourse to Intervention,
Of independence, and other
methods which appear suitable to meet
the requirements Of such conditions.
II appears to be the intention Of the
President. however, TO bring about
very much more satisfactory condition OF
things i'm Cuba by what shall seem TO be
the best and most practical method OF
obtaining this end 1t is the hope OF the
that Spain herself VIII
so far realize the situation as 10 see the
necessity for such radical action on her
part with respect 10 Cuba as shall com
mand the appreciation OF this country
and thus at once put an end TO all dill
ferences.
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 department De
fore office hours closed TO enjoy a walk.
HAMPTON ROADS SQUADRON.
During the afternoon the Bureau OF
NAVIGATION posted the notice that the
hattleship Massachusetts had sailed from
Key West for Hampton Roads follow
i-g the Texas. which left yesterday. About
,re Some time Commodore Schley, who
had been suggested as the probable com
-arder of the flying squadron centered
ar Hampton Roads, called at the ue-
u4rtmeut and had a conference WlthI
Aseistant-S Secretary Roosevelt Ihe
crgiser Brooklyn is at Newport News,
and the monitor Puritan is under or
dars 10 proceed there, so that these NeS-
Soils will be near the Hampton Roads
r.rdezvous. if il Is determined TO es-
,ablish the squadron there. orders lor
this move have not yet been maue' now,
ever. nor has Commodore Schley received
any information from oihcldls lhat ne
would be placed in command u the
squadron. .,- -.
.aar, informed as 10 the Spanish TOR
reGo fotilla now stopping at the canary |
Islands 1t is 10 be stated positively |
tra+ the report that President Mckinney !
has rrotested against the coming or this
HotDia is unwarranted. There mas Deeh
no such protest. =, ,.,,n o,yor
80 serious attention is Delng gwen
nv the Navy Department ofhcials TO tne
question Of the acquisition OF sultaplo
location for a coaling station sohie" s iioi,, ilSi
.r fhe West Indies. steps nave peeH
aLap already 10 establish such q SlauCh
rf me DRY Tortugas, but this, II is saio'
h. tho only deep-water harbOr aVallaDie
f.r bio, yyar-vessels between Hampton |
Roads and the Rio Grande besloes' u
ID ,racticallv UNPROTECTED ct present,
and feet would have TO be stationed
there 10 protect the coal stored whicn
h upsatisfactory There are nuinpei
.f fine harbors among the west lnu'ess
said "A naval officer to-day, ana one oI
these we ought 10 have for coalihs
station. Secretary Long IS cohsiueIlns
me matter and il Is probable thal ~ the
can make the necessary ar
-augcrnents. a station viii be secureu'
BIDS FOR POWDER
,h. War Department bids were open
u i'm tbe bureau Of Ordnance for supply
me- 40 40 pounds OF brown prismauc pow
.er for ,be sea-coast fertilization guns
There were only two bidders-the Ca
ornia Powder Company and the Dupon'
oowder Company. The former concern oI
cred 10 supply the powder al the rate VI
2l75 cents per pound. and tweh'y-on
Avs after receiving the contract they
y,l begin delivery of the powder. al the
ate OF q 600 pounds weekly. The Dupont
,orupapyss bid was at 32.l75 cents per
.ound for that 70 be delivered al the pow
Ter arsenal al Dover. y. j.. ana Si'l'2
Cnts per pound for that TO be deilVoicu
t the Benlcia arsenal. California
In a day or two the Ordnance Bureau
.iU award the contract for supplying the
apartment with 1000 coo smokeless-po"-
er. rne-baH cartridges OF 80 canpre'
'wo concerns submitted bids Tor iurHish
* these eartrldges-the Nihches1v.
rms Company and the Union Melainc
OF Connecticut. Iheir
IDS we're substantially alike. ana ths
ontract probably, Will be divided De-
woen the two companies.
The War Department has received III
,rnation NJ the arrival at New YORK OF