The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-04-01
The PRESIDENTS PLANS.
Will Intervene in Cuban Affairs
Upon Humanitarian Grounds
Within a Week.
AN ACTIVE DAY At the WHITE HOUSE.
Secretary Long Makes Assignments Prac-
ticahy Placing the Navy on a War
Footing Startling Developments Crowd
Each other = The Next Important
Move.

Each other - The Next Important
Move.
WASHINGTON, March 25.-The LAST
day before the arrival of the report %
the Maine court Of inquiry was one of
unexampled activity in all quarters
Advices came early that the Spanish
torpedo hotilla had sailed from the
Canaries for Porto Rico, and from this
moment the most energetic warlike
measures followed one another in con-
slant succession. The movement of
this fleet has been watched with the
keenest interest, as il was felt to in
volve serious possibilities which might
compel the United States government
to protest against the movement as of
IA hostile character.
Immediately on the receipt of the
official dispatch from one of our naval
attaches abroad, briefly announcing
the sailing of the fleet, the fact was
made known to the president and an
earnest conference was held between
him and Secretary Long and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt. The seriousness
of the movement was fully considered,
and the president was advised that
naval strategists regarded it as essen
tial that this torpedo fleet
Should Not be Allowed to Reach Western
Waters.
What. il any, conclusion was reached
is not known.
Later in the day the Spanish minis
ter, senior Polo Y Bernabe, called at tho
state department, and spent some
time with Judge Day. 1t was nat
urally inferred that the approach of
the Spanish fotilla was one of
the subjects referred to. Whether,
however, there was any suggestion
against the move was not disclosed
either by Judge Day or the Spanish
minister, both of whom maintained the
strictest reticence regarding the con-
ference, and refused to speak concern
ing it.
Important News Followed Rapidly.
The first was the announcement by
Secretary Long, indicating the placing
of our squadron and fleet on war foot
ing:
Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret of the
navy department, and altogether on
account of his health.
Capt. Sampson has been made COM
mander Of the feet at Key West
Capt. Evans has been ordered to
take command of the battleship Iowa.
The orders to the squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not yet been issued"
Although the announcement did not
state so, il soon became known that
Commodore w. ). Schlcy was slated to
command the flying squadron" This
announcement was recognized at once
as of unusual Importance at this juno
turc.
Admiral Sicard has been in command
of the fleet at Key West throughout
the critical period of the Maine disas-
ter. Capt. Sampson has been in COM
mand OF the Iowa, but more recently
has been conspicuous before the public
as president of the Maine court of in
quiry. Capt. Robley Evans is better
known as Fighting Bob"
The Next Important Move
Was determination TO create joint
commission from the war and navy de-
partments, so as to bring them into
harmonious action on all measures.
Capt. Barker. the naval aid of Sccre-
tary Long was designated TO represent
the navy department in this common
plan Of action. The representative of
the war department has not yet been
named 1t will not be necessary for
these two officers to leave Washington,
as they can best arrange joint plan
of action in conference with the bureau
chiefs of the two departments here.
Then. at the close of the day. came
the announcement that the navy de-
partment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yachts and four steam
tugs. presumably at or near New York,
for use in the auxiliary navy feet.
The boats are about 400 tons each. and
in an emergency would be suitable as
torpedo boats. The yachts purchased
are among the feetest along the At
lantic coast. and are said to be some
what similar TO the Mayfower, re-
Gently purchased of the Ogden Goelet
state.
This acquisition To the navy is re-
garded as an exceptionally valuable
one at the present time. as the greatest
need is felt for small craft suitable AS
torpedo boats and dispatch boats.
There was additional satisfaction ut
the navy department at the large num-
Der secured in a single purchase.
The name and amounts paid for the
various yachts and tugs are not dis
closed, as it is said tins would prove an
embarrassment TO the government in
promoting speculation on other craft
for which negotiations are now pro-
ceeding.
Throughout the day the White House
presented an animated appearance.
Senators and representatives from both
political parties calling To confer with
the president.
The President Discusses the Situation with
Callers.
| The president said to several of his
visitors yesterday, in discussing the
situation, that he would do everything
consistent with the honor and dignity
of the country to avert war, and he
| still believed war could be averted. He
also said that he believed the govern
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