The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-24

Wo0nlu8VOus &okon ~~'s -
psrtmsnt developed important news fsa-
lures today. They came with rspidity.
Firut came the definite Information that
ths Spanish toredo notillA had sailed
nom the Cana ries for Porto Rioo. This
hove has bean watched by the navy de-
partznsnt with intsnse interest and Is re-
earded to some extsnt ss hostile dem
onstration against this country. The
lleet oonsists Of ain torpedo boats and
seven torsdo boss destroysrs, constituting
one OF the most formidable torpedo
squadrcns sfost. AS soon ~ the teie-
Gram making the announcement was re-
ceived it was taken 10 the White Hoose
and laid before the prssiden.
A long conference was held between
Che president. Secretary Long and Mr..
Roosevelt as to the course this govern
mcns should adopt 80 far ~ ean bs
learned, no demand has yet been made
upon Spain Is to hsr purpose in dispatch
ing the fiotilla 1t this juncture, nor 10 It
knewnYwhat acton. II any, viii be- taken
at this time by the United States either
in protesting 70 Spain or inrerceptinR
ths flotiIla. There Is avery decided cur
rent Of sentiment among naval officers.
Including some Of the highest, in favor
Of decisive and immediate action.
They say that from naval strategic
vieW 1t would b. mcst unfor5unats ut
this time to have this great torpedo iio-
tilIa brouaht within easy reach OF our
squndrou ~ Key West. This, 1t is stated.
10 not mere speculation, but has been
eiven oficial cognisancs. and has been
urged upon the presidents 1t Was due to
tha bio Importance Of the snovemsnt that
instructions were issued some days ago
to keep the navy department immedi-
stsly advised ON the departure Of the tor
pedo flotiila from the Cnnaries.
Captain Roblsy ID. Evans, well known
as I" Fighting Bob Evans arrived in
Wasbinetou this morning from Key
West, and huu hHif Hnptuur'K conference
with Secretary Long. He had Teen tempo
rarily on duty in the light house service,
but he told the SECRETARY that IL there was
20 b. . ngnt he wsnetd to be In IL.
WILL IGNORE OBJECTION.
Washinetou, March 24.-President Mo-
Kinley Is reluctant to resort to forcible
Intervention to stop the war In Cuba Fat
this time, unless Congress takes the in
itistivs His present plans do not GO
beyond sending food to the starving Gu
bans
To aid him In doing this. Congress
win b asked to appropriate $500. 00o for
the purchass OF food. This item visa In
serted IL the sundry civil approximation
bill b the subcommittee of the senate
Appropristions committee yesterday. and
thsrs u no doubt IL Will be agreed to BY
both houses.
President Mckinley, in . conference
with 6epasos Walthall. bacon snd
Faulkner yesterday. decIarvd ne would
ignore any objeotions that might oome
from spain to she ssnding of food. and
should the MADRID government consider
this action O. cause for declai alton Of
wae he will let Spain take the initiative
by any overt cot abe znny CHOOSE.
IL matters Gun b carried along until
the rainy season sets In, and the suffer-
ane In Cuba can be relieved, the admin
istration will try to avoid anything like
forcibls fnesrvsntion until fall. 1t IL
realized that tho mortality would be
great among soldiers sent to the island
In tbe rainy ssason, while each day Of
delay puts the Unissd States In better
Snaps for conflict
According TO sfl3sial information, the
Italian government is favorable TO the
idea Of pertnitting the United States to
buy Warshipe under construction for
Italy, and that country ID now the centre
Of neeotiations for sucn vessels. None Of
the oPmored cruisers now being built for
1tsls, hoWsvsr - sufficiently advanced
for tho purposes Of this government hot
it % expocted shat torpedo boat destroy
n, now nsarins completion, win be pur-
sICARD TALKS.
Key west Fla, March M.-Rsar-Ad-
uiral 6loard said to . correspondent