Evening star., 1896-04-09
Report That President Cleveland
Will Interfere.
SUGGESTED OFFER As MEDIATOR
Cuban Question, Not Measles,
Prevented Cabinet Meeting.
COUP 'ETAT COMM

There Is reason to believe that the Pres
ident's plan Of action in the matter of the
Cuban insurrection will be developed with
in the next few days, and In a manner that
will create genuine surprise and astonish-
ment. It is known that definite policy
has been agreed upon as result of several
long conferences between the President and
Secretary Olney which have been held in
the seclusion of the White House during
the past few days. 1t has also been ascer-
tanned that the appearance Of measles in
the Presidents household had nothing to
do with the omission of the cabinet meet-
ing last Tuesday, but that the meeting was
called off simply to allow the President and
his Secretary of State opportunity for the
preparation Of an important paper on the
Cuban situation.
Not the Measles.
Secretary Olney was closeted with his
stenographer at the State Department for
several hours Monday, engaged in the
preparation of the case, and he submitted
1T to the President at the White House the
following morning. Its consideration was
not concluded at the hour at which the
cabinet usually assemblies, and, as the
President desired to continue its consfd-
GRAFTON without interruption, word was
sent u ali lN0 QllIeEcul uGpdT llIlculS lHdl
there would be no meeting that day: The
appearance of the measles in the Presi-
dents family has in no wise interfered
with the daily routine of business In the
Executive Mansion, and, in fact, the Presf-
dents Office has been almost continually
thronged with visitors, mostly Senators
and Representatives. every day since
Esther was taken sick. Her removal to
Woodley Is believed to have removed all
source of danger of infection at the White
House. Unless present plans are changed.
the regular semi-weekly meeting of the
cabinet will be held at the White House
as usual tomorrow.
A Coup D'Etat.
Although it Is well established that the
President a id his Secretary OF State have
decided upon a positive course OF action In
the Cuban affair. its character is a we'll
kept secret, and cannot. as yet. be stated
with any degree of certainty. It is said to
be something in the nature of a coup
d'etat in its unexpectedness. in view of the
past policy of the administration toward
the insurgents. According to reports, more
or less reliable, the Secretary of State has
addressed &C mmunication to the Spanish
minister OF foreign affairs. deploring the
present state of affairs in Cuba, and ex-
pressing the Presidents desire for q speedy
termination of the conflict on terms honor
able and satisfactory alike to all parties
concerned.
Oner of Mediation.
Although not known, it is said that the
Presidant has in fact offered to mediate be-
tween the two parties to the struggle in the
hope Of ending the insurrection by remov-
ing the cause Of dissension and by the in
stitution of certain political reforms in
Cuba.
In case the President has really Instituted
negotiations in the direction indicated it
would not be in actual conflict with the
spirit of the concurrent resolutions recently
adopted by Congress. one of which resolved
that 1.-The friendly offices of the United
States should be offered by the President
to the Spanish government for the recogni-
ton of the independence Of Cuba
A Truce Suggested.
It is said, however, that the President is
not prepared to ask outright for the inde-
pendence of the island, but that his present
plan contemplates rather cessation Of
hostilities pending a subsequent settlement
of the issues between the Cubans and the
Spanish government How much truth
there is in the reports mentioned will prob
ably be established within a short time, in
asmuch as 1t Is confidently expected in all
quarters that the President will soon show