The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-11
DETERMINED ATTITUDE.
Maine Disaster and Cuban Problem to be
Considered as Kindred Sub ects. ~

,''""'~'- ''--''" Washington, March II.
Spain's torpedo squadron will start today
from Cadiz for tho Canarios and two tor =
pcdo destroyers will sail direct for Cub o
from England.
A strong sentiment Ia growing In Spain
that peace or war should come without dc.
Law. In Washington the administration
and tho Army and Navy Departments.
while talking peace. are hurrying on
preparations for war. Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes generally seem to believe war
inevitable.
Dispatches from Havana state that the
Naval Court of Inquiry is carefully pre-
pairing its report, realizing the possibility
that it may reach an international board
Of arbitration.
The President has notlned the court
that he Is ready to receive the report, and
1T is asserted on high authority in Havana
that the court has practically completed
its work. Tho natural conclusion, in
view, too of the fact that the courts ste
nographer has returned to Key West, is
that the report may come at any time.
Peace or war, President Mckinley has
decided on definite course of action. He
will consider the Maine disaster and the
Cuban problem is kindred subjects.
Should the report be that the explosion
was external, as it Is believed it will be,
the President will demand indemnity n
He will submit general review OF the
situation in Cuba and mako the PROPOSE
ton that the United States shall interfere
to restore peace on the island. The plan
Of having Cuba freed, on assuming part
Of the war debt guaranteed by the United
States. may be offered.
Should Spain respect this proposition the
recognition of Cuba Independence Is prob
able. War, then, would be Of Spain's own
making.
While England is talking Of an alliance
with the Uuited States, Spain is reported
to be endeavorng to ally Russia and
France with her. The presence Of Senior
Castillo, the Spanish Ambassador to
Franco, in Madrid, gave rise to rumors
that lie was 10 succeed S5nor Gul'Ol rs
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. This was au-
thoritatively denied. =
Enormous sums are being provided for
increasing the navies of Europe Eng
lands naval estimates for this year fott
up $l37, 10000, and this will probably be
increased in view Of tho action of Russia
yesterday. Tho Gar issued ukase ar
propriating 9o,0O0,000 rubles for extraor-
binary expenditures for constructing war.
ships at once.
Gcrmany's naval budget for 1893, is
$95O0),000 France will spend IS, 10000
on eight cruisers, and Japan is spending
many millions for vessels now being built
in tho United States Great Britain ind
Germany.
Representatives of the United States
abroad have reported difficulty in obtain
ing options on the Brazilian cruiser
OHlyglns and the Argentine cruiser San
MARITIME, now being built in Europe. The
government is making earnest efforts to
secure these warships, and hopes to sue
coed.
Equally earnest efforts are being made
toinduca owners of several vessels builds
ing in England, Germany, Franco and
Italy to puro with them for cash, and the
officials arc confident they will obtain
some valuable additions to our navy.
Naval officials are getting ready to
transform ships OF the merchant feet in
to auxiliary cruisers on very short notice,
but these ships will not be taken until
hostilities appear to be much more i'm.
minent than at present. 49,