St. Louis Post-Dispatch
April 3, 1898

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e Ladies! dl 10, there will be a special souvenir 1. aders of the Post-Dispatch, consisting riet Hubbard Ayer’s “Beauty Book” of 2s, with colored plates. ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. FORTY-FOUR PAGES. @u VOL. 49, NO. 23 HE most valuable production in its line ever issued. re t fail to get it. | 7. SUNDAY MORNING—ST. LOUIS—APRIL 3, 1898. PRICE FIVE CENTS. “HE INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA AS ATONEMENT FOR THE -MAIN\ ,rmed Intervention the Means Favored by Leaders of Congress in igs Settlemet n 0 PAIN MAY NOT STRIKE FIRST BLOW. ista Shifts.and Will we on the Defensive With the Hope of Arraying Europe on His Side. POWERS ADVISE THE SPANIARDS TO MAKE PEACE. ea —_ t, the Leaders of the Nation) Are Counseled by Diplo- mats, Will Not Only Free Cuba, but May Over- tnrn the Spanish Throne. . —_ - ‘cial to the Post-Dispatth. WASHINGTON, April 2.—The situation has again suddenly changea to-udy. : Spanish Government has decided on a definite naval policy if Congress orders -rvention. Instructions have already been sert to the Spanish military and naval nmanders in Cuba. They are to avoid acts that would lead to war. Senor Sagasta nds that the Unitéd States~shall take the initiative. Even if Congress declares on Spain, the Spanish forces will not strike the first blow. They will act only he defensive at first. When the United States:attacks Spain, and not before, then Spain hit back. Were an attack made on a Cuban fort or town, an energetic de- : would follow. Beyond this military operations are not anticipated. Setfor sta it. appears from this stil) hopes to array, Europe against us.. He. wants. to. put: Inited "States in the light of being an assailant of Spain. He wil! appeal.to Europe id and sympathy. Spain would thus claim before the world that she acted only If defense. [mportant information reached the Government to-day. Spain is seteidesian olicy of avoiding a general naval action in Cuban waters. Her military strate- it is stated, recognize that her two best cruisers cannot compete against our battleships, The only first-class warships in Cuba were until yesterday, the Viz-| tnd the Oquendo. They are powerful armored cruisers. Spain deems them to the New York or Brooklyn, our biggest cruisers. Such ships, however, are f the class of the Iowa, Massachusetts, or Indiana. Therefore, for Spain’s two ruisers Vizcaya and Oquendo to remain in Havana harbor would have been al. The same condition applied to the other pricipal harbors they can enter. are Matanzas, Isle de Francia, Santiago and Cisahucese: In either port the two ‘rs could be bottled up by our battleships. and torpedo boats. Spain would lost her ships and gained nothing. Porto Rico is safer. Whatever the issue of is regards Cuba there is no expectation of Spain’s parting with the smaller y to the East. Unless there be a change in Spanish policy it is improbable that ro cruisers will return to Cuban waters. in the other hand the defense against invasion of Cuba would be vigorous. This aation reached the President to-day. The sudden departure of the Spanish for Porto Rico was a surprise to the Navy Department. It is alleged that the mso XII, and the Riena Mercaedes, will also go Eastward. The Alphonso XII ist been docked. She is a ship of the class of the Cincinnati, but heavier armed. Riena Mercaedes is her sister, The remainder of the Spanish men-of-war in » n watérs are of lesser class. They are gunboats and smaller cruisers. No one arger than the Castine of the United States Navy. am informed that tremendous pressure in Europe is being exerted on Spain to ke her yield” The‘European Powers and the Vatican are acting in unison to pre- it war. Spain is advised to make almost any sacrifice. necessary to preserve peace. member of a European Legation said to me: “I think it is a question of the narchy vs. Cuba. War may rock-the throne of Spain to its foundations, It will wise from the standpoint of self-interest for Spain to let Cuba go. That is, if war ald otherwise occur. If one-gun was fired Cuba will surely be lost. The dynasty y likewise go. It would be better for Spain, better for Europe that the latter uld not fall. “Spanish pride, which is perfectly natural and in accordance with national senti- nt, is the only factor in the way. I sympathize with Spain. I hope she will yield the inevitable.” Washington is in less excited state than at any time for the past week. There ‘e been sq many changes that the public has become weary. There is a reaction m the intense strain that has prevailed. A distinguished Republican Senator stated io-night: more conservative than it was a few days ago.” This does not apply to the House of Representatives. ill reigns. “The Senate is disposed to There grim-visaged war WILLIAM SHAW BOWEN. Special Correspondent of the Post-Dispatch. 3PANISH TORPEDO FLOTILLA DELAYED AND BARELY STARTED. Special Cable to the Post-Dispatch. Copyright by the Press Publishing Company, 1898. MADRID, Friday April 1 (Delayed in Transmission.)—The Spanish torpedo lotilla has reached St. Vincent, Cape de Verde Islands, in a damaged condition. It was his fleet that Madrid advices to American papers last night said had arrived at Porto Rico. Official telegrams confirm the report that a heavy gale in mid-ocean forced the torpedo squadron to disperse, each vessel making for St. Vincent as best it wer. Capt. Villamil reports that some of the torpedo vessels suffered, but can be ired at St. Vincent. After a conference with Premier Sagasta, the Minister of Marine telegraphed Japt. Villamil to remain at St. Vincent for repairs and victualling, after which he wourd receive instructions from the Government. ARTHUR E. HOUGHTON, Special Correspondent of the Post-Dispatch. HAVANA, April 2.—News was received at the Palace late to-day to the effect the Spanish torpedo flotilla has arrived at the Island of Martinique, where the troyers are busy mounting rapid-fire gurs brought on the transport which ac- ypanied the flotilla. According to these advices, the Vizcaya and the Almirante ‘uendo have gone to Martinique to meet the torpedo flotilla. \s ita me the Spanish torpedo flotilla nine days to make the Cape de Verde a ab ae which they left March 24, i‘ should, figuring on of the Problem. Stil Hesitating, the “President Has Not Begun the Preparation of His Message. r = | But Many Public Men Believe That He Will Make No Rec- ommedation, Merely Stat- ing the Facts. To the Senate Committee Who | Called Upon Him He Is Said to Have Declared for . Intervention. | a r Special to the Post-Dispatch. | . WASHINGTON, ‘April 2.—The case is made against Spam. Unless all present indications fail, the Senate Committee om Foreign Relations will report and the Senate will pass the Foraker resolution, recognizing Cuban independence, directing the President to use the military and naval forces of the United States to drive Spain out of the island and fixing upon Spain responsibility for the destruction of the Maine. iu In effect, this resolution, which will certainly pass both houses of Congress, makes free Cuba the reparation demanded for the blowing up of the Maine. , The committee was in communication with the President during the day and was informed that while the President would make an carnest effort to get his message to Congress on Monday, he might not be able, on account of the great demands on his time, to get it in before Tuesday. He will at the same time supply copies of the Consular reports. There has been some doubt as to what retemmendations the President would make, if any,} would recommend both a recognition of independence and a declaration in favor of intervention. The committee was in session five hours to-day. Although the members have made an iron- clad agreement to disclose nothing of their deliberations, it was learned that the final note on the resolution which the committee will report will not be taken until Wednesday. The drawing of the resolution was intrusted to Senator Davis, the chajsman of’ the Com- mittee, and Senator Foraker, who introduced one of the resolutions in the Senate on Tuesday. Although the committee will be ready to report on Monday it will wait the\ President’s mes- sage Tuesday. | The Maine disaster engrossed most of five hours’ discussion to-day. The committee’s report will be the strongest indictment of Spain for that crime that has been made. The report will go much farther even than the findings of the sare of Inquiry. THE PRESIDENT,. STILL HESITATING, HAS NOT BEGUN HIS MESSAGE. WASHINGTON, April 2.—The President has had a day of mental anguish. He has not writ- ten one word of the “War Message” which he promised to send to Congress on Monday, because there is no war in his heart. . He is still straining his eyes in every direction for the sign of the coming of a dove of peace.. It is no longer Spain which causes the delay. It is the President. Speaker Reed personally promised Mr. McKinley to-day to hold Congress in check another day. Senator Davis, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, personally promised in behalf of the Senate that it would wait until Tuesday, probably until Wednesday, for the President’s mes- sage. It will not wait cael e One who is perhaps the most trusted member of Mr. McKinley’s official family, his confidential friend, as well as daily associate, said to me to-night: “There is but one of two things for the President to do. movement or fall before it. 7 . “The President realizes his position most acutely; he is passing through the hardest ordeal of his life. But he is firm in his determination to resist the country’s almost universal desire for war as long as hecan.- Neither he nor any mortal man knows what is going to be done next week. The demand of Congress is irresistible, and it is a significant fact that the most conservative men in the President’s own party are opposed to delay. He is keenly alive to the fact that he must act or Con- eress will take the whole matter out of his hands. That would be a national calamity. What- ever the form of declaration against Spain, whatever action is necessary afterward, the country must move as one man. It must present a solid front. As ip the $50,000,000 war appropriation, the President wants unanimity of sentiment. He is willing to be the last man“in Washington to consent to war, so that when he does consent the country will be unanimous and the nations of the earth will approve. M’KINLEY / He must either go with the popular DOES NOT WANT THE MAINE | CRIME MADE THE CAUSE OF WAR. “The most vital point in the President’s mind concerns the importance of the Maine disaster as a cause for war. He does not entirely agree with the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee that the Maine incident alone will justify a declaration of war by the United States. ’ “The attitude of Spain in its negotiations with the United States Government presents more justification in his mind, and he is hesitating simply to give the Spxnish authorities an opportunity to treat with decency a universal demand for the independence of Cuba. He has sent no further’ communication to Spain, but he has reason to know that some of the most powerful financial an political interests in Europe are at work to-day to persuade Spain to see the folly of fighting the United States. It is probably hopeless, for Spain will not learn. But if there were 30 days’ time Cuba would be free, and there would be no war.” i j fn His message, but he gave the menbérs of the Senate who called upon him to understand that he ie OFF SAN JUAN THE FLEETS MAY NEL, In the Waters of Porto Rico Spain is Concentrz Her Warships in Readiness for Hostilities.: A NAVAL OFFICER TELLS HOW THE WAR WILL BE FOUC , Spain’s Torpedo Boats May Turn the Tide of Battle Against the United States. , !: Special to the Post-Dispatch. 7 WASHINGTON, April 2—One of the » Bighest officers in Already Spain is centering her fleet at San Juan in that island, and will it by sending the new squadron recently mobilized at Cadiz as soon as it is-r for sea... r “The torpedo fleet is now wallet its way across the Atlantic and I believ ‘reports to the effect:that it has been driven back to the De Verde Island by ady ere are absoluteM™absurd, for the that at this time the winds woul? the Eastward and would be free, helping the squadron on its West” - po ae are no other points in Cuba, so able to defend themselves adec.as therefore the Government has determined in case hostilities: cannot be prevente withdraw to the more concentrated situation of Porto Rico. “With the Oquendo, Vizcaya and the torpedo fleet mobilized at San Jue Spaniards would feel that they were in a position to resist any attack fro: American fleet. They would be mistaken however, for if the fleet of Spain sho caught in the harbors of San Juan they would be compelled either to come o fight or be destroyed by the long range guns of either of our fleets. “Tt is likely, however, that they would rather meet our ships on the hig where there will be some maneuvering and will therefore come out to meet tl their appearance. “A gentlemen who has recently come here from Porte Rico tells tie 1 Spaniards are mounting guns on the old stone fortifications and in new wo: that these new fortifications and new works and these new defenses will be ficient strength to prevent an attack by any but armored vessels. “The harbor of San Juan is an open one but the town is partially protect: stone walls 30 feet thick at their base and able to stand the bombardment of an: modern guns, but it is so exposed that the fleet of Spain could not conceal itself - the attack of our squadron. It must come out and fight or be blown to piec anchor. “I therefore think there will be no attempt to avoid a contest. Spain is ender ing still to‘avoid war until ber fleet is in a position to engage ours. I think tha’ first move will be against Havana, and, that place will be blockaded by our squ: at Key West with the idea of preventing the landing of reinforcements or su for the army. This blockade will go on while the army we intend landing in Cr being concentrated at points along the gulf and Atlantic coasts, “The flying squadron in the meantime will attempt to find and engage the ish naval forces now concentrating at San Juan, and I think if a meeting © there is no doubt of its outcome, particularly if such meeting takes place before arrival of the Cadiz fleet. “The Oquendo and Vizcaya while excellent ships, would be at a dicaGtantem, an engagement with all the vessels of our flying squadron. “The Brooklyn, the best ship of the fleet is a little larger and dareted more than the Vizcaya class, but is not so heavily armored. I think however that superiority of the American seamen over those of Spain would tip the balance our favor. “Although the Spanish ficet has a greater speed average than ours, it is new theless our inferior in numbers and weight of metal, and as it cannot avoid a cc flict must necessarily be at a disadvantage. “Summing up therefore I will say while our army is gutting ready for an vasion of Cuba and our Key West fleet is keeping supplies out of Cuba, Commod: bring them to action. Spanish fleet will be looked after by that at Hampton Roads. Vhen the army is ready it will be thrown into Cuba and then the ‘all Havana will be only a question of a short time. “The navy will then be left free to either attack rere Rico in force or place has been reduced by Schiey’s fleet, carry further naval operations into S waters.’ FRENCH ADMIRAL THINKS SPAIN’S NAVY THE BES Spectal Cable te the Post-Dispatch. Copyright by the Press Publishing Company, 1898. PARIS, France, April 2.—Vice-Admiral Presmesnil, a high —! authority, was asked to-day by the Post-Dispatch correspondent for his opin’ the respective fighting capacities of the American and the Spanish navies, Admiral said: “I still doubt if war will ensue. But if it does I consider the Spanish ney n than a match for thé American navy. “The chief weakness of the latter is a want of cohesion owing to nationaliti among its gations Spa moy s@ilors are i enter upon'She war in the same ready s irit as they showed ten years — haga 7 bene as threatening sft roms ee al pain will hght at a disadvantage, ng cut or sipplics, but the war will be an alters of torpedo destroyers largely. d. effective use of her fine flotilla at the outset of hostilities che United be crippled.” MICH DEPENDS ON This is the President's opinion, but itis impossible to set back the hands of fate. Congress is not willing to stay Spain’s sentep eyond Wedn The Presi ut’s message may mak. - . “peed, an ar tant aoe teach Pobee Rice sing the Glia Was ad) start no definits ~-e-commendations t- He will subm ~ acts which 1 “he — ~~ . / THE TO" “ eetal Cr ‘a te ey * t be’ Schley’s squadron will be endeavoring to find the Spanish fleet at Porto Rico m Admirals of the. British and French Navies Declare *Thi * 5 ss . the United Stat * Navy said to the Post-Dispatch correspondent to-night: “In the event of war Por Rico and the vicinity of that island will be the scene of the first naval encounte- “I believe as I said before that a demonstration will be made on Havana as th, first movement of the Key West Jeet and that at the same time Porto Rico and the