The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-15

Spscial to the indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON, March 14-The President
is represented to be anxious for the court
of inquiry to bring in its report on the
Maine explosion in order that he may have
definite information on which to shape his
future actions. This statement must not be
construed as meaning that he is feeling
belligerent and wants to get at the Spanish
throat. He has no such idea, because he
fully expects that the Maine affair will be
settled without recourse to arms. He is sat-
isfied that the report, while not incrim-
mating the Spanish authorities, will never
theless form valid foundation for claim
for indemnity and reparation, the extent
and measure of which cannot be determined
until he is advised officially as to the degree
of Spains responsibility for the horror.
Whether or not the President will permit
the case to go to arbitration as Spain will
insist on, must necessarily also depend on
the official report. Whatever course he may
decide on will not be taken hastily or with
out most serious consideration a process
which will take considerable time. If it
should ultimately be decided to refer the
question in part or whole to International
arbitration several months must elapse be-
fore decision can be reached. 1t is now
understood that the President will not con-
sohdate the Maine disaster and the inter-
vention proposition unless the court of in
quiry should make a direct charge of official
Spanish responsibility for the explosion. In
that event, which is extremely improbable
all phases Of the Cuban question may form
an omnibus indictment, and action be taken
on the lot. The outlook at present, however
is that the Maine explosion and interven-
tion will be kept entirely separate and dis
tinct, and that Intervention will be post
poned until a more opportune time.
There are several reasons why Mr.. Nc
Kinley is not anxious to press lnterven-
ton at this time. One of these reasons is
that the creditors of Spain are making
strenuous efforts to induce the Madrid gov
eminent to surrender Cuba without a fight
with the United States. If given time they
think they may succeed and the President
Is disposed to yield on that point. Another
reason is that in the event of an immediate
war resulting from intervention, offensive
operations against Cuba would have to be
undertaken under the most inauspicious
circumstances, right at the beginning or in
the midst Of the rainy season. A third rea-
son is that our coast defenses are not vet
complete, and will not be for some weeks.
and as many military experts believe that
in the event Of war Spain would abandon
Cuba and begin vicious war Of retaliation
by attacking our commerce and our ex-
posed Atlantic cities it is thought best to
stop and make an inspection before leaping.
The actual presence of grave responsibility
makes those at the head of affairs doubIy
conservative, and the President, careful
man though he is by training and instinct
is moving with added caution in this emerg-
ency. The President feels that time is our
best friend and Spains strongest enemy at
this juncture, and he fails to see the need
of excessive haste.
Washington is experiencing a period of
sober second thought and conservatism. in
duced by the tremendous preparations for
defense which have been going on since the
sSe,0OO,0OO appropriation was authorized.
There is genuine revolt against the fur
ther manufacture and circulation of base
less war rumors, intended to inflame the
popular imagination.
Senator Proctor visited the White House
and uptown departments to-day, and his
calls excited a good deal of interest He
spent half an hour first with Secretary
Alger, explaining, it is believed, the mill
tary situation in Cuba, and afterward had
a conference with Judge Day, assistant Sec
retary Of state. Then he went to the White
House. and was closeted with. the President
for two hours and a quarter. When he
emerged from the room he courteously de-
clined to speak regarding the nature of the
information he had communicated to the
President.
The recruiting branch of the Navy De-
partment is naturally one of the biggest
branches of the service just now. 1t Is
in the temporary command Of Captain