Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-23
SEEKING THEIR VIEWS
The President Conferring With Dem
ocratic Senators.
old MONITORS TO GO into SERVICE
Terror Ordered From New York
to Key West.


The President conferred with Senators
Cockrell and Turpie this morning. pre-
sumably on the attitude of the democrats
in the Senate on the Cuban question.
Secretary Long issued orders bringing
into service the eight monitors of the civil
war that have been lying at League
Island, Philadelphia, and has ordered the
monitor Terror to Key West.
The Navy Department has practically de-
ciGed to give contracts to American build
ers for number of torpedo boats and tor
pedo boat destroyers.
1t has been practically decided to give
up the wreck of the Maine and to recall
the naval officers in Cuba.
A garrison will be sent to Fort jefferson,
Tortugas.
The army reorganization bill was unani-
mously adopted by the House military
committee and reported to the House.
Senator Bacon introduced a joint resolu-
ticn, declaring that it is the policy of the
United States to maintain peace as long as
Is consistent with honor, and especially in
the present emergency.
The Maine relief bill was passed by the
Senate without debate.
Lieut.. Commander Mark admitted to a
reporter at Miami Fla, that it looks like
war.
Gen. Lee. IL, report to the New York
relief committee. says 225,OOO people are
starving in Cuba
The double-turreted monitor was ordered
from Norfolk to Key West
Every conference at the White House,
every surface indication, points indisputa-
bly, to the fact that the critical point in this
cOuntry's relations with Spain Is about to
be reached. This is felt in the atmosphere
and exhibited in the grave faces of the
men who are taken into President Mckin-
ley's confidence. and who sit behind closed
doors with him discussing the situation.
few days or weeks ago many of the men
who now leave the President with such
solemn and thoughtful mien went away
from him with voluntary predictions on
their lips that everything would soon clear
away.
Today's conferences at the White House
were all of the greatest significance. Again
the President held conferences with lead
ing democratic senators. Yesterday he
talked with Senators German, Gray and
Morgan. Today he gave considerable time
to Senators Cockrell and Turpie, the former
the leading minority member of the Senate
committee on appropriations and the latter
a member of the foreign relations commit
tee.
Nobody attempts to disguise the import
ance OF these conferences. Unless the sit
fba
democratic senators would not have been
called in. They had not been called in up
to yesterday, and naturally did not volan-
teer their advice or suggestions. The Pres
ident sought their opinions because he
wants united country with him. Senator
Turpie was with the President a consider-
able time.
Senator Morgan said yesterday that he
was not in favor of asking an indemnity
from Spain for the destruction of the
Maine If the vessel deliberately de-
stroyed, 1t was a cause for war he said
Senator Gray said today that the situa-
ticn is undoubtedly serious, but that he be-
heved II is somewhat exaggerated.
Cabinet Members Call.
Secretary Sherman and Assistant Secre-
tary Day were with the President this
morning. Other cabinet visitors were Sec
retaries Long and Alger.
Secretary Long said to Star reporter
that If Lieutenant Commander Mark does
not arrive with the report of the court of
inquiry until after 8 o'clock tomorrow
night, he Uhe Secretary will probably not
receive 1t until Friday morning when it
will be Immediately laid before the Presi-
dent Secretary Long did not think the
President would give the papers any con-
sideration at a late hour tomorrow night.
1t locks as If Lieutenant Commander Mark
will spend the night at a hotel with his
papers
There is no change in the program to send
the papers to Congress Monday or by Tues
day, anyhow.
Other Conferences.
Senator Foraker conferred with the
President the situation today for the
frs; time in weeks. He did not care to talk
later. When he was asked however, 20
his opinion of the situation in general he
quickly answered: 1T looks better to me-"
Those who know how advanced are the
views of the Ohio senator as to the free
dom OF the Cubans will easily see the SEN
aior's me aiming in these words. They carry
the meaning that the senator is highly
pleased with the OIL tlook.
Representative William Alden Smith had
q short tslk with The President, briefly
giving the horrible situation of affairs in
Cuba he recently for himself. He
will see the President again.
Gen. DAN Sickies was also one of the
Presidents visitors, and was warmly re-
ceiyed.
May Not Ask Indemnity.
member Of the cabinet said today that
the President has not fully matured q
plan for dealing with the Maine report OF
the general Cuban situation. Everything
he said. will depend on the character OF
the report of the board of inquiry and or
the developments of the next few hours
A belief is growing that 1t is doubtful
II the President will demand an indem
nifty frcI1 Spain IL the findings are sucl
as to justify this demand. Instead of doin;
that. he will submit the horrible situatio,
OF affairs in Cuba to Congress, with
recommendation for intervention In som,
shape or other. yet to be determined b,
asking no indemnity. but by firmly decid