Evening journal., 1898-03-21
CHIEFS IN COUNCIL.
Mckinley and His Advisers
Have an Unusual Meeting.
FLINT ALSO SEES THE PRESIDENT.
The Former Has Large Interests In South
America, and IL Is Relieved He Semi
ohioially Represents Chno In the
Negotiations For the OHiggins.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-President
Mckinley did not attend church yes
terday as Is his custom, but instead
spent two hours and more in conference
with several members OF the cabinet.
Assistant Secretary Day called about
1880 o'clock and remained until nearly
] o'clock. Secretary Long and Secreta-
~ Bliss were the other members pres
ent They remained less than an hour
Commander Glover, In company with
Mr.. Flint who has been acting for the
government in the negotiations for the
purchase Of ships, also called and were
shown into the presidents private Of
Zee. The members Of the cabinet on
leaving tho White House said there
was no special significance In the meet
Ing. Tho report Of the Maine court Of
inquiry had not been received nor was
Il definitely known when IL would reach
here. II was expected. however, early
IN tho present week, and as soon as re-
ceived IL would be handed at once 20
the president and when 10 had been
read and considered by the president
II would bo made public. Secretary
Long. in speaking Of the report, said
that whilo fully realizing It's Importance
the country la his opinion would will
ingly accord TO tho president a day or
two IL necessary for its consideration.
The indications seem 10 be that the re-
port will be made public by the middle
of the present week.
Tho presence Of Mr.. Charles II. Flint
at tho conference naturally gives In
ference that the president and his ad-
visers were discussing the question of
acquiring additional ships Mr.. Flint,
whose commercial interests are largely
with South American countries, is be-
lioved In a measure at least 10 repre-
sent Chile and the Argentine Republic
IN any negotiations which are under
way for the disposition OF their war
vessels. A reporter today asked Mr.
Flint n ho could say whether or not the
United States had secured possession Of
the Chilean ship O'Hggins and the Ar
gentine ship San Martino, but he de-
clined 10 make any statement as to that
particular feature Of the subject. When
pressed for some information in regard
to the matter, no replied:
Both Chile and the Argentine Re-
public have the warmest friendship and
admiration for the United States and
her institutions. Neither country is
anxious to sell its ships TO this gov
ernment. basing this indlsposition on
the belief that we have an excellent
navy OF our own. They want these YES
sells themselves IL the time should
come, however when Il was apparent
that the United states needed these
vessels they would gladly part with
them 20 US.
Tho attention Of Mr.. Fqint was called
20 the published report that the United
States would purchase the Brazilian
torpedo gunboat Tuby, but thia he said
would not be done. so far as he was
aware. as thero were no negotiations
under way "a that effect
Aside from the meeting Of severa
members OF the cabinet az the White
House there wero no incidents of I'm
portance during the day Judge Day
Assistant Secretary Adee, Chief Clerl
Michael and other officials were at the
department, but this has been quite
common during tho past month. Als'
at the war department and navy de
partment a number Of the chiefs OF bu
reaus werc at their desks for severa
hours, mainly for the purpose of dis
posing OF the business which recently
has accumulated SO rapidly.