The times., 1898-02-27
MIR. SHERMAN AT THE CAPITAL.
His Visit Excites IntereSt-The
Maine Disaster Discussed.

Secretary Sherman while at the Cap.
| itol yesterday was the center of attrac.
! ton. His visits there are very few. and
| rumors We're at once afioat that the
| Secretary OF State had business to at
tend to respecting the Spanish and Gu
ban situation.
He promptly denied this report, but
without hesitation said that If the
Maine had been destroyed by a mine OF
torpedo. Spain will be held responsible,
whether the fiendish plot was conniyed
at by the Spanish authorities or not.
He said that Spain was responsible for
the safety of the vessel after having
designated its anchorage, and added
that if the court of inquiry confirmed
the reports that the vessel was blown
up by a mine that a heavy indemnity
would be demanded of Spain and that
proper action would be taken to enforce
its payment.
The feeling in the House end of the
Capitol is generally adverse to de-
mand for indemnity. Most of the
members believe that as soon as the
dastardly outrage is officially confirmed
that this Government should seize
Cuba, free the Cubans and hold the
island until Spain apologies humbly
and offers indemnity of a proportion
adequate to the case. Nearly all of the
members believe that the Spaniards
should be first humiliated and punished
and then permitted to pay for the lives
and property lost by the destruction of
the Maine. Many of the members who
have formed opinions that drastic
measures should be resorted to by this
Government expressed a diSinclination
to make public their thoughts until
they could do so on the floor, but some
others feel so much Indignation at the
situation that they cannot refrain from
making known their sentiments.
Gen Wheeler of Alabama is one of
these Americans. He said yesterday
that as soon as the Government has
positive proof that Spaniards blew up
the Maine it should Immediately take
possession of Cuba and attack Spain.
He believed that the Government
should land a large army on the island
and also make war on the sea.
IF it comes to question of indem-
nifty" he said, 1T ought to be for an
amount between S25,000,000 and s50,0Oo,-
00O and but twenty days should be
granted Spain in which to pay it.
MI. hlIlOt Vi w lSCOuSIu GADISSSeU
himself in much the same way. He be-
lieyes that Spain should be severely
punished for the crime enacted in Ha-
vana harbor and that when the ques-
ton of indemnity arises it shall be
made n heavy one.
Mr.. Cox of Tennessee said that he de-
plored a war and that he would not
attempt to suggest what the Admins
tration should do. but he would say
that if events made war necessary, or
an indemnity should be demanded, the
adjustment of the trouble should not
be left to arbitra ton.
I'VE should levy heavy indemnity
in such a case he said and be our
own jury. We should say what we
want and then see that Spain gives it
to us. If war becomes necessary every
man on the floor of the House will vote
the Administration all the money need
ed. The Administration will not be
hampered by Congress-
Mr.. Barlow of California declared
that such crime as the Maine disaster
is believed to have been cannot be pun
ished too soon. He believed that the
American people would never be salts
fed with a money indemnity for the
lives of their brave sailors.
Mr.. McMillin of Tennessee declined
to express any opinion, giving as a
reason that owing to his long absence
from the Capitol that he had not kept
himself posted on this important mat
ter.