Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-24
FROM WASHINGTON
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON, March "a.

WASHINGTON, Marcn "a.
Captain Robley D. Evans, better
known as Fighting Bob" Evans,
reached here this morning and was i'm
mediately ordered to take command OF
the Iowa.
The President to-day sent these
nominations to the Senate Mahlon M.
Garland to be surveyor of customs, port
of Pittsburg, Pa; Judson w. Lyons.
colored, of Georgia, to be register of
the treasury; Leslie Combs to be pension
agent at Louisville. XIV.
In his speech on Cuba in the Senate
to day Mr.. Thurston, republican, Of
Nebraska, said the last Dational plat
form of his party declared that 1.-The
United States should actively use its in,
fuence and good Offices to restore peace
and give independence to the island"
In accepting the nomination rendered
him by the convention which had adopt
ed the Cuban plank with mighty
shout" VIM. Mckinley had said The
platform adopted by the republican con-
vention has received my careful consid-
GRAFTON and has my unqualified ap-
prevail Twice within the past two
wears, Mr.. Tburston said, he had voted
TOR resolution recognizing the bellig.
erency of the Cuban insurgents, but he
was satisfied it was now too late to ac-
cord them belligerent rights or even
merely to recognize the independence
of the Cuban republic. "Our platform, :"
said he, demands that the United
States shall actively use iss influence
for the independe ice ofthe island. am
not here to criticise the present admin
istration. | yield to no man living in
nv respect, my admiration for, and my
confidence in the judgment, the wis
dom, the patriotism, the Americanism
of VIM. Mckinley. When he entered
upon his administration he faced diff
fcult situation. 1t was his duty
to proceed with care and caution.
J 1t was the PLAIN duty of the President
} of the United States to give to the
liberal ministry of Spain reasonable
time in which to test its proposed au'
tonomy. That time has been given.
The time for action has then come. No
greater reason for it eau exist to-mor-
row than exists to-day. Every hours
: delay only adds another chapter to the
5 awful story of misery and death. Only
oue power can intervene-the United
States of America /; ours is the one
great nation of the world, the mother
of American republics. would oppose
. annexation with my latest breath. The
eople of Cuba are not our people; they
cannot assimilate with US. The Amer
lean people will never consent to the
payment Of ore dollar to the guar
anteeing of one bond, as the price paid
to Spain for her REIMBURSEMENT of the
island she has 30 wantOnly outraged
and devastated. Mr.. President. there
is only one action possible, if any is
taken; that is, interven ion for the In.
dependence OF the island; intervention
means the landing of an American
army on Cuban soil, the deploying Of
an American fleet of the harbor of
Havana; Intervention which says to
Spain, leave the island; withdraw your
soldiers Such intervention on our
part would not of itself be war. 1t
would undoubtedly lead to war. But
if war came it would come by act of
Spain in resistance of the liberty and
the independence of the Cuban people"
He said there could be no Intervention
to save Cuba without force and force
means war and war means blood. Force
held the broken line at Shiloh, climbed
the fame-swept hill at Chattanooga
and istormed the clouds on Lookout
Heights; force marched with Sherman
to the sea, rode with Sheridan in the
VALLEY of the Shenandoah, and gave
Grant victory at Appomattox; force
saved the Union, kept the stars in the
| flag, and made "niggers" men. The
time for Gods force has come again.
Definite information to the Navy
Department to-day is to the effect that
the Spanish torpedo tlotilla had sailed
from the Canaries for Porto Rico. The
move is regarded as hostile demon
stration. The fleet consists of six tor
pedo boats and seven torpedo boat
destroyers-thirteen in all-constitut.
ing one of the most formidable torpedo
souadrons now ahoat. AS soon as the
telegram making the announcement
was received 1t was taken to the White
House and laid before the President. 4
long conference followed between the
President, Secretary Long and MIR.
| Roosevelt as to the course this govern
ment should adopt. Some naval officers
favor decisive and immediate action.
They say that from naval strategic
view it would be most unfortunate at
this time to have this great torpedo
hotilla brought within easy reach of
our squadron at Key West. No ques-
ton has been asked of Spain as yet con-
corning this movement nor has it been
decided what action the Navy or State
Departments will take, if any, under
the exceptional circumstances in the
case.
1t was stated at both the White
House and at the War, State and Navy
Departments to-day that the report of
the Maine court of inquiry would or
rive tonight. An incident of the gen.
eral plan of preparation for any ewer-
eency that may arise is found in an
order issued to-day by Adjutant Gener-
al Corbin. This order contemplates
the supply to artillery posts not al
ready having them of various military
adiuncts necessary for proper dis
charge of duties that may arise.
Senators who have talked with the
President say that it Isl quite probable
that on Wednesday or Thursday of
next week message may be sent in
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