The Portland daily press., 1898-03-21
FAR APART.
The Views Attributed to Two Members of
the Cabinet.


The Views Attributed to Two Members of
the Cabinet.
New York, March 19.-Ihe Evening
World prints the following special from
Washington:
To personal friend. Secretary Alger
admitted this morning that the United
States is nearer warrwith Spain than 1t
has been ut any time since the beginning
of the present crisis.
At the meeting of the cabinet yester-
day, Attorney General Griggs was asked
by one of the cabinet officers whether the
recognition of the independence of state
was an executive or legislative function.
The attorney general, who is regarded
as an able international lawyer, gave it
as his opinion that the President alone
has the right to recognize the indepen-
dence Of foreign state or sovereignty.
This view is in accordance with that
held by Richard Olney. former secretary
of state and attorney genearl.
| Cleveland, Ohio, March 49, Secretary
Gage frankly declares that he does not
believe that tho present complications
with Spain will lead to war He says:
"The people of the country are getting
used to this war talk and they understand
that it means little or nothing. There is,
of course, possibility of war, and If 1T
comes, the financial resources of the gov
eminent are equal to any emergency
which may confront us. President Nc
Kinley would doubtless ask for and get
any appropriation he wanted. Our credit
abroad is of the best, as evidenced by the
standing of our bonds. The price of
quotations on government securities is
the best sign of the excellent condition OF
the government The business interests
have not as yet been seriously affected
by the possibilities Of war"
MORE TROUBLE FOR SPAIN.
| Havana. March 49, via Key Vest
In spite of official and other denials, it is
| believed that serious troubles for Spain
| in Porto Rico are imminent and 1t is
asserted that the Spanish cruiser V1zcaya,
when she leaves Havana, will go to Porto
Rico in order to strengthen the hands
of the government officials there.
HERRESHOFF GOES TO WASH :
INGTON.
Bristol, R. l.. March 19-J. B. HERES
hoff -arted for Washington this morning.
Previous to his departure he stated in an
interview that there was no truth in the
statement that his firm had received or
ders for more boats, but he expected that
orders might be received at any time. Hi
business in Washington was to confer
with the authorities regarding the boat
which has just been built
THE RODGERS OFF.
Baltimore, March 10. The new United
States topredo boat Rodgers sailed al
noon today from the Columbian Iron
Works dock for Norfolk. She has not yet
been accepted by the government anc
while on her way down the Chesapeake
will be tested as to speed and control,
sAT THE BROOKLYN YARD.
New York, March 19.-The work on
vessels in the navy yard in Brooklyn II
being rushed along as rapidly as possible
The board of inspection visited the
Mayfiower again today and plans are be-
ing drawn for the proposed changes to be
made in her structure. 1t Is generally I'M
derstood that Commander James u
Miller, who is in charge of the depart
ment of yards and docks at the navy
yard, has been assigned to the command
of the Mayflower. At the commandant'
office one of the attaches acknowledged
that the monitor Terror had been ordered
south.