The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-23


meeting to-day lasted something over
an hour. and was devoted exclusively
to the Spanish situation in general and
to the forthcoming report of the Maine
court of inquiry. The tone of the dis
cussion was very firm, and determined
that there must come an end to the
present state of affairs in Cuba. Secre-
tary Long authorized the statement
that the understanding before the cabi-
net was that the report would reach
Washington next Thursday or Friday;
that it would be very volumnous. and
that the publication and transmission
to congress would not occur until next
Monday or Tuesday, as the president
would require that much time to give
the document the mature consideration
which it's momentous character re-
quired.
Other cabinet officers state that the
general plan included the sending of a
presidential message along with the re-
port stating that Spain had been
called upon to make suitable response
to the case presented by the court of
inquiry. While the cabinet associates
of the president maintained their usual
reserve as to the exact character of
their deliberations, yet it was conced-
ed that the discussion proceeded on the
theory that the coming report would
show that the Maine explosion was not
the result of an accident, but was due
to external cause.
There is no doubt that substantial
unanimity exists on the part of the
president and his cabinet, both as to
the Maine question and to the general
subject of Cuba. The possibility of
recourse to Intervention i'm case Spain
declines to make suitable response to
the representations we will make after
receiving the Maine report, has been
fully discussed, although necessarily it
has been an abstract discussion thus
far, and no conclusion has been
reached. nor is it possible until the vi
tai question as to the courts findings is
before the present cabinet. At the
same time, there is a very evident IN
tenton to consider all eventualities,
including the recourse to the interven-
ton. the recognition of independence,
and other methods which appear to
suitably meet the requirements of such
a condition.
1t is believed to be the intention of
the president. however to bring about
a very material and satisfactory con-
dition in Cuba by what shall seem to
he the best and most practicable meth
cd of obtaining this end. 1t is the hope
of the administration that Spain her.
self will so far realize the situation as
to see the necessity for such radical
action on her part with respect to Cuba
as shall command the appreciation of
this country, and thus at once put an
end to all differences. Pending a deci-
sion on the governments financial pol
icy, no overtures or intimations have
been conveyed to the Spanish govern
ment, and there Is no official knowledge
as to how Spain would regard a recog-
milton of Cuban independence or inter-
vention. The Spanish minister. Senor
Polo Bernabe. requested to-day that
a statement be made that reports at
tributing to him expressions on the
subject of independence were unwar-
ranted and untrue. Senior Bernabe
says that he has not discussed this
or any other of the pending questions.
Outside of the cabinet meeting the
day was exceptionally quiet. Secre-
tary Long was able to clear his desk
at $3.50 O'Clock for the first time since
the Maine disaster occurred. and he
left the department before office hours
closed to enjoy walk. During the
afternoon the bureau of navigation
posted the notice that the battleship
Massachusetts had sailed from Key
West for Hampton Roads. following
the Texas, which left yesterday. About
the same time Commodore Schley.
who has been suggested as the prob
able commander of the flying squa-
dron'' centered at Hampton Roads,
called at the department and had a
conference with Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt.
The cruiser Brooklyn is at Newport
News, and the monitor Puritan is un-
der orders to proceed there. so that
those vessels will be near the Hamp-
ton Roads rendezvous IL II is deter
mined to establish the squadron there
Orders for this move have not yet
been given. nor has Commodore Schley
received information from officials that
he would be placed in command of the
squadron.
The navy department continues to
keep informed as TO the Spanish tor
pedo fleet, now stopping At the Can