The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-06
AWAITING THE RESULT.
Spanish Cabinet in Session Until
House Votes on Cuba.
Popular Excitement Subsidlng But Dons
Said TO Be Ready TO Fight.

MADRID, April d u--ihe result OF tne
vote on the question of the attitude OF
the United States toward Cuba which, 1t
is understood here, is to be taken. on
the United States Senatc's resolutions in
the House of Representatives, today, Is
anxiously awaited here.
In any case, il is pointed out, hostili-
ties must soon cease on account OF the ap-
proach of the rainy season and no further
reinforcement's worth mentioning will
be sent 10 Cuba until the month OF Sep
tember. But the war department is max
ing extensive preparations IN this con-
nection and four iron-clads and several
torpedo boats are ready 10 sail at short
notice from Ferrol in order 10 take part in
the blockade of the coast Of Cuba should
the insurgents be recognized as bellig
erents The general opinion here,
however, is that the question as TO how
and when the United States v i'll intervene
in Cuba will be left to President Clcye-
land and it is believed that the latter will
only, at least as a primary move, offer
the friendly offices of the United States
in the matter while intimating that other
steps may be taken should the offer be re-
fused.
The Spanish cabinet will be in session
today from about the time the United
States Congress assemblies until the vote
in the House OF REPRESENTATIVES, Is taken.
Later, il is undslstoon, the ministers will
be summoned by the queen regent and
the whole matter will be discussed.
Although some OF the newspapers de-
clare thar a crisis.is at hand, s.the fact re-
mains that the people are almost entirely
calmed down aud that little or no war talk
Is TO be heard. The military and nayal:pre-
parations being made by the war depart-
ment and admiralty are more in the nature
of precautionary measures, the ultimate
object of which is the further and still
more energetic prosecution of the cam
paigD against the insurgents. There is
no intention 10 defy the u nited States or
to do anything calculated TO intiame pop
ular feeling, although. should ii become
necessary to do so, 1t is understood that
the Spanish people " ill respond with en-
thusiasm to the call to arms in defense of
Cuba and that the Spanish blood and
treasure will flow to the utmost in the
efforts which will be made TO uphold the
honor of the country.
The defenses of Havana have been
greatly strengthened recently by the
addition TO the armament of that place
of a number of the heaviest guns, addi-
tional earthworks have been thrown upon
the landscape and everything possible has
been done TO make that place capable OF
withstanding a combined attack by sea
and land. The Spanish troops in Cuba
arms. all the important towns and ports
are strongly garrisoned. and in proof of
this ii is pointed out that the insurgents
have not been able TO capture a city of
any note, although the war has lasted
over year.
In spite OF the fact that it has been
officially denied at Havana that Captain
Weyler has tenuered his resignation, or
is to be recalled, AL classes of people ex-
press astonishment ttat the commander
ln-chief in Cuba has accomplished so lit
tie. More people here, however, in view
of the outcrv against General Weyler in
the United States, would look upon his
recall under the present circumstances us
being very much in the nature Of a
humiiating breakdown upon the part of
Spain, and this might lead TO serious re-
suits here
But amidst all these clouds there is a
feeling for the official recognition that
in arbitration there is a way out of all
such difficulties and that with mutual
cones ssions and the use of diplomacy of
a high order some arrangement may be
arrived at which will give satisfact on to
all concerned. Cuba, ii is asserted,
all claims to the contrary, could hardly
under any circumstances enter the sister
hood OF the United States in this genera
tion and it is admitted here that the peo-
pie of the United States would be willing
to declare war ON Spain in order to bring
about such an addition TO the number OF
states of the Union. There remains, there
fore, the plan OF giving Cuba some kind
OF government, which, possibly, on
the plan of Dominion of Canada, may
lead to settlement of the International
and external trou bles which have ruined
Cuba for the time being and which bid
fair to drive Spain into bankruptcy.