AMERICA AND SPAIN. Washington, March 23.

Otago Witness, Issue 2300, 31 March 1898, Page 15

AMERICA AND SPAIN. Washington, March 23.

j The report regarding the Maine disaster j

will be issued on Monday. A decided revival of the war rcare has taken place at Washing! on. Mr Hall, chairman _of the Senate's Naval Committee, stated that war was inevitable. An impression prevails that President M'Kinley will be compelled to intervene decisively in order to relieve the terrible sufferings the non-combatants in Cuba. The House of Representatives has authorised the construction of three battleships, six torpedo destroyers, six torpedo boats, and five dry docks. March 25. The report on the Maine disaster has keen received at Washington, and the Cabinet are now considering it. President M'Kinley is striving to suppress the war party in the United States. March 26. America is hurriedly purchasing tugs and I fast steam yachts with the view of converting them into torpedo destroyers. President M'Kinley has been requested to strike a blow before the Spanish torpeda flotilla arrives at the West Indies. The Conservatives do not support President M Kinley's efforts to promote peace with Spain. Financiers prefer war to the uncertainty which prevails. Pending the official statement, all the American reports agree that the Maine explosion was external, causing a second explosion in the forward magazine. The Spanish reports deny that the explosion was external. President M'Kinley desires to treat the Maine explosion as an incident in itself, preferring to intervene in Cuba on humanitarian grounds. New Yoek, March 24. The American Red Cross Society declare that 425,000 Cubans have died of starvation since the rebellion on the island commenced ; and that 200,000 of the present -population j are in a dying condition from the effects of destitution and starvation. The people are in a pitiable condition, and walking skeletons are to be met with everywhere. President M'Kinley is showing signs of overwork. He will on Monday send a Message to Congress dealing with the Cuban question. The chances of war between the United States and Spain are increasing. March 25. The American newspapers denounce the fresh provocation to war that the movements of the Spanish fleet give rise to. Madeid, March 25. The Bank of Spain lends the Government 3000 million pesetas (roundly, four million pounds). Tha Spanish flotilla which recently sailed for the Canaries to await orders has now been instructed to proceed to Puerto Rico. London, March 25. Spaaish stocks are falling, Lloyd's quote 5s pur cant, ac a WAV pre--miuiu batween Manila and London*