The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-01

time for action, in the opinion of the
President, had arrived. The RESPONSE
bilty for any action will, doubtless, be
thrown upon Congress and it is thought
that Spain's reply may be submitted to
Congress without any recommendation
from the President. If this is the case
all diplomatic correspondence will also
be submitted and Congress will be ex-
pected to assume the full responsibility
of any action they may take.
wnr Inevitable.
ton now. War is inevitable. Mr.. McKin-
ley has given his promise that he is
through with diplomacy. He win notify
Congress in a very short time, and it is
now thought he may not wait until Mon
day, what the reply of Spain is, and state
that nothing further is to be expected
from negotiations. 1t is not yet decided
what the nature of his message will be.
He may take the decisive step himself
and recommend that Congress declare
war or he may simply notify Congress
that his diplomatic negotiations in the in
teresr of peace have failed and turn the
whole question over to be settled by Con-
gress as it sees fit.
There viii be no difference in the result
as far as the certainty of war is concern
ed, but unquestionabIy the recommenda-
ton for war by the President would be
the more popular move on his part and
the one that would save the Administra-
ton in the eyes of the country.
There will be on Monday, if not before.
a recognition of the independence of Cuba
and a resolution directing the President
to intervene.
1t is very certain that Spain does not in
tend to open hostilities. and there is.
therefore. very little fear that this plan
will be frustrated by Spain.
With war so near and apparently una
voidable. the war preparations of this
Government and of Spain assume at once
I
of the two governments during the last
1 two weeks have been extensive but 1t is
noticeable that those of Spain have been
more significant and have done more for
her position than those of this country.
spain's Advantage.
When war is declared by Congress,
should that be Mondays contribution to
history. the torpedo notllla will in all
probability be on this side of the Atlantic
Ocean. This fact will mean. in the opIn-
ion Of many Of the naval officers, that
whereas before the United States had the
better naval force available IN the Gulf.
Spain then will unquestionabIy have the
stronger fleet.
Following this feet only few days win
come another formidable addition TO
Spain's naval force in the warships that
are expected to start from Cadiz today
the Christobal Colon. the Maria Teresa
the Destructor and the -yittoria-four of
the finest vessels in the Spanish navy.
On the other hand, the United States
has done nothing TO stop the torpedo fo-
tiila, and it is proceeding toward these
shores with not even an intimation from
/ the American Government that such a
movement Is an unfriendIy act With the
greg atest expedition the flying squadron
could not reach Porto Rico in time to
stop the hotiIla from proceeding further.
4 First Hard blow.
The inference drawn from this fact by
many is that Spain has realized for some
time that war was almost certain, and
that she has done all she could to be in
readiness for a first hard blow 1t is not
questioned that the first battle may be a
most disastrous one for this country. TAX
en- thus In such a way unprepared
If the United States had been as cynical
over the outcome as Spain this would not
have happened, as the flying squadron
might very easily have been sent to the
4 South several days ago.
At the War and Navy Departments
there is the last great rush of prepara-
ton Everything is being put in readi-
ness for the final order
Stringent rules Of secrecy have been
adopted. Commander Dickens. Of the
Navigation Bureau. said yesterday that
these precautions were against giving in
formation TO the enemy" The rules are
as rigid as they would be in time of war.
Officers at the departments do not hes
itate to say that the preparations are
more vigorous than ever
Orders have been issued to Commodore
schley. Of the flying squadron, but it can
not be learned what their nature is.
1t is, however, known that the ships
are ready FOR instant lighting service.
There was one most significant step
taken by Secretary Long yesterday aft
ernoon. il was one Of the things that got
out, despite the rigid censorship OF news.
The three old monitors at League Island
the Canonicus. the Mahopac and the
Manhattan-are TO be gotten into fight
ing trim. Several days ago It was de-
cided to get these old vessels out, but
after inspecting them thoroughly the de-
partment decided that the expense would
be too great Yesterday after the plan
had been given up entirely it was revived
/ suddenly. The work viii cost $4,000
A very important war preparation move