Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-04-03

tween the United States and Spain re-
mains unchanged, no communications
having any bearing upon the situation
having passed between the government
and Spain since last Thursday night,
when Minister Woodford transmitted
the reply of the Sagasta ministry to
the Presidents propositions of two
weeks ago. Each government appears
10 accent the issue as made up, and is
shaping its course accordingly. This
being the case, the view is universally
entertained, even by representative
men of the administration, that Con-
gress upon receipt of the Presidents
message early next week will take ac-
lion which it is almost universally ex-
pacted must result in a severance of
friendly relations by the two countries.
This was in part foreshadowed by the
action of the Senate committee on for
eign relations to-day in agreeing to a
resolution favorable to the independ
cnce Of Cuba and for armed interven-
ton if necessary to secure independ-
ence. With the crisis so near at hand
it is believed that if and European in
teryention or mediation is to come it
will be within the next few days. 1t
was said, however, at the State De-
partment late this afternoon, that no
offer Of European mediation had yet
been officially transmitted to this gov
eminent. 1t was the general under
Standing that friendly overtures of this
nature were looked for at almost any
time from France or Austria, and it
Was reported during the day that the
presence in Washington of Cardinal
Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland was
In connection with mediation from
Rome, bus it was stated on high au-
thority at the State Department that
no -exeTluri II this character had
taken official form nor was the State
Department advised that any such
steps were in contemplation.
IT is THE UNDERSTANDING
in official circles, based upon informa-
ton, that the recognition of Cuban
independence would not in itself be re-
garded by Spain as a casus belli. But
at the same time there is little doubt
that such recognition of Cuban indie
pendence would be followed by the
withdrawal of the Spanish Minister,
Senior Polo Y Bernabe, and his entire
suite. from Washington, and the term
nation OF Spanish diplomatic repre-
drawal is one of the last steps preced-
ing actual recourse to war. 1t is prob
able, however, that the withdrawal of
the Spanish minister, following the
recognition of independence. would not 4
he so much an indication of war as it
would be an emphatic protest by the
spanish government against the recog-
milton of the independence of a col
ony over which she claims to exercise
'l''~tV SONEitiShtJ- <AibhOUoh eiiS
recognition of independence is not con-
sidered a casus belli by which Spain
could declare war. yet it is viewed in
diplomatic quarters as a step which
would have consequences inevitably
terminating in war. For that reason
IL Is said that the recognition of the
Independence of Cuba is likely to be
NO less grave than intervention.
The Spanish minister continues to
preserve his outward calm, although
ne feels that the relations are extreme
" strained and that his stay in Wash
ihgton may not be long continued. To
some of his diplomatic associates who
called to-day he said that his con-
science was perfectly clear as he
thought that SPANS course was just
one. and for this reason
HE FELT NO AGITATION.
HIS position is trying one, however,
AS he Spanish legation has been CAB
l0eted to a number of petty indignities
within recent days These are of such
petty character that they have not
heen called to the attention of the gov
-'AilNut oIltlciS. although VtPiitN oii-
GERS were detailed to see that the Of
lenses were not continued md that no
aciS OF vandalism or personal indig-
nlly were committed.
The State Department to-day receiv-
'a The full report of the Spanish COM
mission which investigated the de-
suuction of the battleship Maine. This
o.ccument has been expected for some
Gays, but it was not until to-day that
u reached Washington by a special
messenger from Havana. 1t proved to
ne most bulky and voluminous doc
ament. of far greater length than the
feDort of the American court of in
oRlry. The text as delivered to the
State Department is in Spanish and it
Nii take some time for the elaborate
document to be translated. 1t covers
a least $50 closely written pages Of
Official paper, double the size of FOOLS
zap The Associated Press early in the
Week gave complete and official sym
osls of this Spanish report, the essen
a' features of which were that the
'olosion of The Maine occurred inside
~ tFo shin and that no evidence ex-
LED Of any exterior explosion
Admiral Irwin to-day was among
the witracsaa hAto-a ~ EaratA eone.