The times., 1898-04-04

considering the Maine affair as simply an
incident and as no cause for war.
The President still vacillates in wretch
edness and misery from one of the old
cast-aside plans to another along the list,
making the rounds over and over again,
and hoping in a puerile way that some
thing will occur that he realizes is impos-
sible. He is the most detected and the
most st-distrauglit man i'm America, and he
is rapidly paying for his terrible indeci-
sion with a broken constitution. He is
haggard and his face is lined and with
out color. Everybody that sees him often
knows that he will not be able to stand
the strain much longer
IL He n Free Agent.
This part that the President viii play
in the peace prog ram is Thought by many
to be entirely an innocent one. 1t is with
him. in other words, peace till the last.
but not knowingly peace at any price. He
is under the influence of peace-at-a
price people hut he is only cats paw.
II is suggested that, knowing the real mo-
tiyes of his advisers, the public have
been led TO take too extreme a view of
his personal cmpability. 1t is known
to be fact also-that Mrs. Mckinley is
afraid of war and has urged him strenu-
ously 10 keep the country out of it at all
hazards.
At the White House.
Yesterday passed quietly at the White
House and State, War and Navy Depart
ments and whatever steps the officials
took they covered up their tracks so thor
oughly that il was hard to get news of
their movements. During the morning
Judge Day. Attorney General Griggs,
Postmaster General Gary and Represent
atiye Adams called at the White House
and saw the President. Judge Day was
in his office at the department for quite
awhile during the morning. and there
were some signs of activity about the
/ building. The Navy Department was
( closed TO reporters, and the watchmen
/ and messengers refused to tell who had
visited the department during the day.
The Nesuyius Sails.
The dynamite cruiser Vesuyius left the
navy yard yesterday afternoon shortly
/ after 4. and will point her nose down the
/ hay tonight and reach Norfolk some time
today. She has beer. put in perfect con-
dition above the water line. and at Nor
folk her bottom viii be seraped and her
propeller adjusted and she will then he
ready for service. No orders have been
given her further than to proceed 10 the
Norfolk navy yard for reoai-s and be
kept in readiness for instant sea service.
Work was continued at the navy yard all
day yesterday. and the gun shops were in
fun blast. All work is being done under
hurry orders, and night and day for
seven days in the week shifts Of men ere
working in the yard.
Here Are Their Names
The peace party in the Senate consists
Platt of Connecticut. Hale and perhaps
two or three others.
In the House, Chairman Dingley Of the
Ways and Means Committee is the lead.
er of the element that would have peace
at any price. Mr.. Johnson of Indiana
is the orator of that small faction which
gets its strength principally from New
England.
The Western members are. with few
exceptions. not dismayed at the prospec
OF var
Instructions to Wo0dford.
The Times is able to say on the authori
~ of cablegram from Madrid, the trutl
of which cannot be doubted. that th,
President yesterday sent a lengthy ant
. important message of instructions to Gen
, Woodford.