Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-18
NO PARTIAL REPORT
Findings of the Court of Inquiry Ex-
pected in Few Days.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO TEE CABINET
Two Hours Discussion of the Sit
uation.
AT HAMPTON ADS

the SDanish-Cuban situation in two
hours session.
The President does not expect prelim-
mary report on the Maine disaster. 1t was
announced that the full report would be re-
ceived in three or four days.
Withdrawing the Massachusetts, and Tex
as from Key West and ordering them to
Hampton Roads was not in compliance
with a request from Spain.
No agreement has been made with Spain
that lessons the strain on the situation.
Ths semi-oflcial statement cabled from
Madrid that Spain would resist paying in
demnity If demanded is regarded as an
electioneering device.
The strategy board has reported In favor
of more torpedo boat destroyers.
The army reorganization bill was dis
eussed without action by the House MILL
tary affairs committee.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt argued be-
fore the House naval affairs COMMITTEES for
the navy personnel bill.
The Spanish-Cuban situation occupied
two hours time in the cabinet today, the
net result being. q cabinet official says,
that no new plans Of any kind were agreed
upon, leaving the situation practically un-
changed from the last meeting Of the
Presidents advisers.
A positive and official denial was made
that the President expects to receive a
til
tomorrow. This question of report Of
the board was discussed at length by the
cabinet.
AN authoritative announcement was
made to the meeting" one Of the members
said, that the report of the board would
be made within three or four days. This
Information was impaired by request" 1t
was clearly intimated that the President
had at last become impatient at the delay
and had asked Secretary Long to officially
find out from the board something about
the prospect Of verdict.
In response to that inquiry the answer
was evidently received that the report
would be made within three or four days.
This. IT is thought, is the first official and
accurate news as to when the country may
expect to know the truth.
1t is explained that there would be little
VI pdItldl report DelQS sent tne
President when the actual finding itself
will be very short, not much longer than
partial report.
President would send the report to Con-
gress, but how long after its receipt Is not
known.
The Hampton Roads Rendezvous.
The cabinet talked very fully on the sub
tect of FORMING in
ton Roads cut of part of the ships. at
Key West Both the President and Sec
retary Long. gave the cabinet to under
stand that this new policy had been pre-
determined, to use a cabinet officer s
word. and had no connection with the COM
plant Of Spain about the assembling of
such a large fleet at Key West. En-
phasis. it is understood. was given by Sec
retary LoLg to a denial of reports that
this latest move was a concession to
Spain. A high authority, closely connected
With the cabinet, claims that instead of
this being a concession 1t Is in the nature
Of expectation Of trouble, as the new
squadron is to guard the north Atlantic
coast. The impression Is gaining ground
that in Ease of war the Spaniards Will
quickly give up Cuba and will set them
selves 10 attacking our seaport cities.
No General Agreement With Spain.
1t is denied that there is any understand
Ing between Spain and this country that
each shall halt in certain movements and
preparations, hut this denial covers a re-
port of any general understanding. and
does not touch specific instances.
Reports were made as to the work OF the
past week, covering the purchase Of the
Mayfiower, contracts for ammunition. pro-
brazilian cruisers
The President did not outline to the cab
iret any plans he may have in view as to
the settlement Of the general Cuban qaes-
ticn. 1t IL said that he cannot entertain
propositions for autonomy or purchase un-
til he settles the matter Of the Maine dis
aster.
The President does not expect anything
in the nature Of a preliminary report from
the court OF inquiry in the case Of the
Maine disaster. On the contrary. his expec-
taticn Is that the report when 1t comes will
be complete in all respects. Although fol-
lowing the usual course. 1t Is within the
power Of the Secretary Of the Navy to or
Ger the body to continue the investigation
along certain lines upon which he may be-
heye further information is desirable.
DetachinE the Battle Ships.
The withdrawal Of the Massachusetts and
the Texas from Key West and ordering
them to Hampton Roads Ia a move
in accordance with the plan Of naval op-
eratien adopted by the department. The
presence OF nearly all the vessels on the
Atlantic at Key West was regarded as an
Enwise arrangement whenever there were
signs Of approaching conflict. 1t left the
great stretch Of the Atlantic coast uncoy.
cred. and 1t Is not to be Supposed that II
Spain were going to make. an attack she
would direct 1t against that point where
the greatest naval force was assembled
Her more probable course would be to send
enc or more cruisers to one of the Ameri-
can ports not guarded by a naval force and
DO what damage she could before American
vessels could be sent there
The establishment OF a squadron al
Hampton Is a protection against this and
makes stronger and more effective dIstri.
button Of the American naval force It Is
regarded as a better distribution, both fos