Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-04-14
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
An Ominous Quiet Pervades Of
fetal Circles.
The Last Word that Could Avert War Has
Been Spoken and the Time for De-
cisive Action the Cuban 0ues-
tion is Almost Here-Prep-
aratiOns for the Fray
Continue.

Washington, April 9.-Good Friday
passed in Washington with not rip
pie on the surface to show that the
United States is on the brink of war
Both houses of congress had adjourned
| until Monday and at the executive
mansion there was no rush OF excited
| public men, but a Sunday quiet At
only the war and navy departments
were there signs of an impending con-
| tiict in the rush of immediate orders to
a host of naval officers to report at
| once for duty on vessels to which they
were assigned and in conferences
among bureau chiefs on details of war
preparations. And yet the resolve was
| firmer than ever that unless Spain
| yields to American Cuban demands the
| United States by force of armst would
| move on Havana.
| There was still some discussion of
| Cuban affairs, but it only served to
| emphasize the fact that one forward
| step of immense Importance had been
| taken, for the discussion concerned not
| intervention and freedom of Cuba, but
| the duties that might be imposed upon
| the United States after we had ex-
| PEELED Spain from the island. This
discussion revolved around two prop
ositions. namely, intervention without
recognition of national independence
| of the Cuban insurgents, and interven-
| ton with concurrent recognition of
| the independence of the present inSur-
! gent government.
| The cabinet held its usual Friday
| session, but its meeting brought no
| change in the Spanish situation. In
deed it was chiefly significant in estab-
| fishing that no change had occurred,
| that none was expected, and that the
| programme of action on the part of the
| United States was already made up.
| The presidents message remains un-
| altered and alterations are unlikely
between now and Monday, barring
altogether unexpected developments
| from Madrid. After the meeting cabi
net officers stated that the message
| would be sent to congress on Monday,
no change in that respect having been
| considered, and all cause for delay hay
| ing been removed.
The feeling that an end had come to
| diplomatic talk and that action alone
! remained, was shared in all quarters,
| including the foreign embassies, where
| the ambassadors expressed the feeling
| that all has been done in Washington
| that can be done in the cause of peace.
| What is going on at Madrid gives
| slight hope of such concessions there
| as will alter the present situation.
| There are no negotiations in the sense
of exchanges on pending propositions.
Both parties apparently have said their
last word.
Preparations for all eventualities are
being hurried to completion. Mr.. Lee
will leave Havana to-day, probably on
the Fern, now in Havana harbor, al
| though it was said at the state depart
ment that he might take one of the
| Plant line of steamers. At that time
also the other United States consuls
and most of the American citizens re-
| siding in Cuba will be out of the island.
| Official reports received here Friday
| stated that large numbers of Ameri-
| cans were leaving on the several steam
ers from Havana and other ports. En-
tire quiet has prevailed there up to
this time. The United States consul
at Porto Rico is also preparing to
| leave.
| No instructions have been sent to Mr.
| Woodford at Madrid concerning his
| withdrawal from that place, that being
| left to his discretion. The prospects
| of his withdrawal have been fully CON
| sidered. however, and in the event of
his retirement the British ambassador
| at Madrid will look after American in
| Of no
| Americans as remain in Spain.
The Spanish minister at Washington
| has received no instructions as to his
| departure, nor has he made prepara-
| tions to go, although his establishment
is in such a condition that he could
leave within few hours after receiv-
ing orders from his government to de-
part. AS an evidence of the complete
cessation of negotiations, it can be
cited that yesterday closed the seventh
consecutive day since the Spanish min
ister called at the state department.
War and naval pre- parations are pro-
ceeding, but the larger details of prep
aration have been shaped and there is
little more to do than to see these reg
ularly executed. While there are many
naval movements, there has not yet
been any decisive order affecting the
movement of the fleets. A report was
current that the Spanish fleet of cruis-
ers had sailed from Cadiz for American
waters. There was no confirmation of
tn S, though it would not be improba-
| bic.
| Startling Disclosures Expected.
Washington, April 9.-Representa-
tive Lorrimer, of Illinois, says that
Gen. Lee will make some startling dis
| closures before the senate committee
on foreign relations when he arrives