The record-union., 1898-03-28

the Cuban War to a Close.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-The
President saw a number of the mem
bers of the Cabinet at the White House
to-day. They dropped in one by one
until those present included Secretaries
Bliss, Alger, Gage and Attorney-Gen-
eral Griggs. With them also was AS
sistant Secretary Day of the State De-
partment, who presumably had some
dispatches to show the President. The
gathering was not a special Cabinet
meeting in the sense that that term Is
generally used. but was simply talk
between the President and his advisers
concerning matters on which he desired
to consult The Cuban question and the
report of the Maine court of inquiry
were the topics discussed, but SO far as
could be ascertained nothing conclusive
was determined. One of the members
of the Cabient saying subsequently,
that there was nothing new or startling
in the situation.
The presence of Judge Day would in
fer that there were advices from Minis
ter Woodford, but further than an ac-
progress between the State Department
and the Minister nothing could be as
certained. At the State, War and Navy
Departments there was little sembIance
of Sabbath. Chiefs of bureaus, clerks,
messengers and telegraph operators
were at work. Probably never since the
days OF the late war have so many Off
cials gathered at the War and Navy pe-
partments on Sunday. Dispatches
that came over night regarding the
movements of ships and other matters
were received and as many of them re-
quired prompt answers replies We're
formulated.
Secretary Long, however, did not ap-
pear at the Navy Department during
the day as most of the matters requir-
ing attention were those that could well
be attended to by bureau officers and
their assistants. Mrs. Long has been
i'll for some time and the Secretary in
part shook off official cares and spent
the major portion of the day with her.
In the afternoon, in company with Mis-
Long, the Secretary drove to the navy
yard and inspected the dynamite
cruiser Vesuvius, which is having her
guns repaired. The vessel has been ut
the yard since about a week and crowds
have been there to see her.
Assistant Secretary Day spent a por-
tion of the Sabbath at the State De-
partment and there received a call from
the Spanish Minister. q rather unusual
procedure, indicating important matters
for consideration. The conference lasted
some time, but it's nature Gould not De
learned.
Tonight Commodore Winfield S.
Schley, just appointed the commander
of the flying squadron" left here for
Norfolk. 1t is said that tomorrow he
will hoist his flag on the Brooklyn, which
Is to be the flagship of the fleet The
other vessel of the squadron now at
Hampton Roads is the Massachusetts.
OF the remaining three, the Texas as in
New York receiving her ammunition
hOistS and the Columbia and the Mime
apolis are at League Island navy yard,
where the final work preparatory to
their sea service is being hurriedly done.
The latter will be at Norfolk about the
middle of the week.
The developments of the day IN the
Cuban situation indicates progress in
the negotiations in this country and
peace at the present at least There Is
good authority for saying that Spain s
wish is to secure a cessation of hostiii-
ties in Cuba rather than to engage in d
war with the United States and that it
is more than probable that negotiation
between the Government of the United
States and the Sagasta Ministry VIII
take turn in the immediate future. The
i
pacific disposition from the beginning
and the indications are strong now shat
it will avail itself of the good offices of
the United States to the fullest extent
that public opinion in Spain will allow
in bringing TO an end the hostilitics in
Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may go in assisting Spain in her pres
ent design OF securing an armistice is
not yet determined. but the conserva-
tive element in the Administration
consider the manifestation of this de-
sire for even a temporary peace q direct
result of President McKinlev's din
lomacy. and they are naturally disposed
to contend that the President should
he left free for the present at least to
pursue a policy which promises much
in the way of preventing war between
this Government and Spain, and also
of bringing to a close the hostilities in
Cuba. Hence there will be an effort
On the part of the peacefully inclined
in Congress to continue to hold that
body in check and to prevent inflam-
matOry utteranceS there until this
promising diplomatic lead may be ex-
plotted. On the part OF the Admins
tration, ii is stated that the develop
ment Of the situation Will not require
a great length of time, and there will
be no extended delay A policy has
been fully determined upon by the
President
It is to bring the Cuban war 20 q
close. This will be accomplished by
pointed intervention if necessary. but
it is considered far preferable that the
end should come as the result of peace
full negotiations than it should be ac-
companied by hostile demonstrations
on the part of the United States. Hence
the disposition of the President is 10
give Spain a fair opDOrtuuity to secure