Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-12


Washington. i, c.. April 1.-the Ex-
ccutiVe is at harmony with he wal
making branch Of the government in
entering on contest in behalf Of hui
mainly ana in behalf OF Cuban free
dom. he President, having exhausted
all diplomatic resources at his com
nand in trying to bring peaceful
solution of the Cuban problem has
asked Congress 10 take the matter IN
hand.
Congress is prepared 10 respond 10
the Presidents request by drcctin&
MIN to interven" at once by force. of
arms to bring the war in Cuba to Il
close and esta blish Il stable government
on the island capable Of maintaining
order and observing its International
obligations. There viii be no equivu-
cation in the resolutions which Con
Sfess viii adopt The President III his
message has asked for power To MAKE
cuba free ana independent. and Con
gresS viii give him all the power he
Soeks.
1t is known now that no action which
Congress can take looking to Cuban in
dependence ana % armed intervention
- bring insunerable conditions in this
land To i close. will be 50 radical as to
DE out of harmony with the Presidents
wishes, ana armed Intervention it will
ba.
The information received at the navy
department. this morning thai the Span
ish ships lnfanta Maria Theresa ard
CnriStobal Colon. accompanied by three
transports bearing a reinforcement If
civ too, lon,
ish regulars for Cuba is considered as
"mn0us and Of the utmost Importance
rs EuaSin% the sincerity of Spain in her
armiStice proclamation Officers Of
both services in speaking Of the matter
are of the opinion that time for concen-
traitor of naval forces and sending AL
ditional troops to Cuba and the object
Of this last effort to gain delay. ANA
they are one and all loud in the EXPIRES
Si0nS of opinion that we should not
hesitate for an instant to take what
ever action is contemplated before
there is a chance for Spain to increase
her strength in the West Indies.
To those who are the best able 10
judge Of such matters. it seems thai the
Sp3niards have changed their prospec-
tive plan of operations, for While it
vas thought a few days ago that Porto
Rico and Cuba would be left to their
fate so far as the navy was concerned,@ II
and that the torpedo hotilla would not
attempt to cross the Atlantic at this
late day. they now believe that the
cruisers reported from Teneriffe this
morning, are on their way to the Cape
de Verde islands for the purpose of act |
ing as an armed escort for the torpedo |
boats now there.
They believe that if hoStilities are be- |
gun at once. the Oquendo and NiZcaya |
will attempt to join their sister ships DIT !
sea, thus forming a squadron which |
will be strong enough to offer consider
able resistance to the American flying
squadron, which will undoubtedly be
sent to find them. Nor is this all
THY firmly believe now that the Span
ish fleet modified at Cadiz will make
a feint on our northern coasts for the
purpose of drawing off our southern
fleets in order 10 allow the fleet before
and the achievements a
chance to arrive unmOlested at their
destination.
Army officers do not believe that the
fighting in Cuba will be as easy and
snort llEeu as rs generally imagined, Tor
the force Of 100, 900 regulars and %, 900
Spanish volunteers will fight to the
last ditch, regardless of any action
which may be undertaken at Madrid.
They claim that they have informal
ion which leads them to believe thai
he troops in Cuba are SO convinced Of
heir ability to whip the hated Yankees
hat they could not he restrained
Except after being thoroughly and re- {
peatedly whipped.
The plea that a delay now would put !
he army and navy in better condi-
ion for active service is not considered {
1 good one. Everything is now in |
shape as far as the navy is concerned. i
hat can be accomplished before war is !
declared. and as for the army. it S l
heir opinion that nothing now remains {
nut to put troops in the field and get t
hem in condition for active service. t
This they believe. will not be done I'M i
Ter any circumstances until an actual
,re;. king out of hostilities. f
The proposition advanced by some 6
men that 10000 regulars would q