The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01
War Must Cease !
Cuba Must Be Free !
ULrIMATUM OF THE UNITED STATES
10 SPAIN.
Vital Point ut Last-Thts Week Will Shapo
the Policy OF tho Future, Whether 1t be
One OF Pcaoo or Ono Of war-A Den.
mite Reply from Spain Expected
By Friday Night-Eo
Hope OF European
Mediation.

Washington, March 30.-The vital
point in the Cuban situation-viz,
independence - has shifted itself
from Washington to Madrid, whore
the Spanish government is now Civ
ing grave aud earnest consideration
to propositions presented by the gov
ernmont OF the Uuited States. On
the answer to these propositions prob.
ably depends the future course Of the
relations between Spain. and this
country. 1t is believed that it is
now but question Of on exceedingly
short tino before the inevitable crisis
must come The Spanish ministry
will hold q cabinet council tomorrow,
after the propositions havo been sub.
mitted to tho queen regent, and rs a
result Of that conference it is expect
cd by the administration that q def
mite answer to its proposals will bo
received.
The propositions submitted by this
country contemplate complete and
immediate cessation Of hostilities in
Cuba, the return Of the reconcen-
trados to their usual avocations, and
the independence Of Cuba, this last
feature to be secured probably on an
indemnity basis by which the island
would pay a substantial sum for its
freedom from Spanish rule.
These propositions take wide
scope, and there arc many details in
the alternative propositions, the pur-
pose being to presont every possible
plan promising a solution Of the
Cuban problem so long as an end of
the Cuban war and Cuban indepen-
denoe were embodied in the ultimate
result. It has been made perfectly
clear to Spain that nothing less than
the close Of the war and the indo-
pendence Of the island will suffice as
an adequate settlement.
1T REMAINS WITH SPAIN.
1t is now for Spain to accept or
reject these tenders. There is no
disposition to urge one rather than
another, 30 long % the conclusion
finally reached brings the termina-
ton Of the war and Cuban indepen-
dence. Never before until now has
the Spanish government, even for u
moment, entertained such PROPOSE
tons Now, in tho stress OF the pre-
sent emergency, with declarations of
war introduced in the American Con-
gross, Spain has reluctantly consent
cd to consider them. This in itself
has given lively hope Of satisfactory
results. But it involves grave
crisis in Spain, and it cannot be fore
told what tho final action at Madrid
will be. Until today it was believed
that Spain would Indignantly reject
proposition involving the indopen-
dence of Cuba, or American inter
vention, or the disappearance Of the
Spanish flag from the island, either
through purchase by Cubans or
otherwise.
SPAIN IN YIELDING MOOD.
There was tho best of reason for
the official belief that as between
peace and war on these propositions
Spain would chose war, but more
hope apparently is entertained here
Of Spain being in yielding mood as
tho American plans for solution are
being carefully weighed with a view
to final decision. AS stated, that
answer is believed to be only a ques
| ton OF perhaps two or three days
When it is received, tho future course
Of this government will be deter
mined. 1t is the view Of The admin
istratiMl that the present week viii
shape the policy of tho future
whether it is to be ono of peace OF
ono OF war.
Many representative mon of Con
gross, Senators and Representatives
called at the white house today ant
conferred with the President. II,
tho leaders in Congress he statee
that definite results were expected
from Madrid by Friday. This servo'
to allay the intense feeling whicI
had been manifested in Congress an.
through tho influence of the lsador