The herald., 1898-04-07
The REASON GIVEN
FOR WITHHOLDING THE CUBAN
MESSAGE
DANGER TO AMERICANS
NOT TEE SOLE REASON NOR THE
SPAIN IS PREPARING TO YIELD
President Mckinley Still Hopes to
Accomplish the Freedom of Cuba
Without Bloodshed
SPAIN IS PREPARING TO YIELD
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, April 6.-Swift as a
cannon's flash changed the Cuban situation
| today. The galleries Of congress were
crowded; senators and representatives
anxious and agitated, and even the diplo-
matte corps was in ferment. awaiting
message from the president to the congress
of the American people that might mean
war. When excitement was at its very
highest, like an electric flash the word
passed that there would be no message to-
day. It's suddenness stunned the people,
who heard the news in distorted forms, and
amazed veteran members Of congress. Ul-
timately 1t became known that not only
would there be no message today. but no
message this week, and that there was
possibility that the message, though prop
erly written and approved, might not go to
congress at all.
THE REASONS GIVEN
The first reason given for the delay was
that the administration had received ad-
vices from Gen. Lee at Havana, announcing
that Americans could not be gotten Off the
island today and would be in grave peril
II the message preceded their departure.
The second reason, and perhaps equally
potent with the other, slowly drifted into
public comprehension late in the day, chief
ly through the medium of published As
ISOLATED Press dispatches from Madrid, for
extreme reticence was maintained on the
subject by the few in Washington who
knew the facts, and even cabinet officers
were unadvised on the subject. This i'm
portant news was that the Spanish gov
ernment, after what plainly had been the
most exciting times in inner Spanish cir
cles at Madrid, had decided to reopen the
case, closed SO far as this government was
concerned by the refusal of Spain to make
satisfactory response to the representa-
tions made by the United States last week,
in order to avert impending war. and flad
decided to make concessions heretofore re-.
fused. What will be the final outcome 1t
is too early to say, but the aspect of AFFAIRS
certainly is considerably more pacific, and
sufficiently SO to renew the hope of the
president in a solution Of the Cuban ques-
ton satisfactory to the American people
and achieved without bloodshed.
THE FIRST FEATURE
The details remain to be worked out, but
1t is expected that between now and Mon
day clearer light will be thrown on the
future by action at Madrid, of which one
important feature is the declaration of an
armistice by the queen regent of SPAIN
This armistice. 1t is expected, will lead to
the ultimate independence of Cuba from
Spanish rule, but by what intermediate
steps perhaps the governing powers do not
at this time know. Much, It is supposed
will depend upon the Cuban insurgents
and the people of the two countries of the
United States and Spain. The powers Of
Europe, material and moral, 1t is known
brought to bear all their influences on the
government of Spain and still are actively
at work seeking by the wisest and most DO
tent course, in view of the circumstances
and sentiments of the two great nations in
volved. to bring peace out of the gathering
war clouds. All the capitals of Europe have
been in communication to this end, a fact
evidenced by the assemblage at the British
embassy in this city yesterday of the repre-
sentatives Of the six great powers of Eu-
rope, who were there and then made mutu-
ally acquainted with what had been done
abroad and with the desire of those who
accredited them to Washington that they
should work in accord here. This concert.
however in the United States was not to
go beyond mild tender of good offices to
secure peace and delay definite declara-
tion of war, II hostilities finally became in
evitable.
Some of the representatives assembled at
Sir Julian Pauncefote's may have wished
to offer mediation but, If so, were warned
against 1t by others in the conference, who
understood more clearly that such pro-
cedure would be resented and work to hos
tile and not to peaceful ends.
IMPROVED CONDITIONS
The improved condition of affairs was
reflected throughout all public quarters
late in the day. It was manifested at the
White House among cabinet officers and at
the embassies and legations, including the
Spanish legation. At the latter establish
ment Senor Polo said that, while he could
not disclose any of the information reach.
ing him In an official character, vet he felt
that the strain of few hours ago was ma
terially relieved and that the prospects for
peace looked much better. He in no wav
confirmed. nor would he even discuss, views
entertained in other high official quarters.
that Spain was slowly but surely WELDING,
and confined his utterances to the general
statement that the conditions were imurov.
ing.
Accompanying the actual developments
Of the day came flood of reports and
rumors of sensational character, little of
1t, however. having any authentic basis.
The rumors Of disturbance at Havana were
not borne out by any official advices.
The uncertainty following a great disap-
pointment was the condition existing at
the capitol at the close Of the day. when
the expected did not happen. Senators
and members were at sea as to what was
coming next.
While the message was awaited there
came a hurried summons Of leaders ofthe
senate and house TO the White House, and
they were informed that the message was
to be withheld upon the information re-
ceived from Consul General Lee. The rea-
sons he gave were deemed entirely salts
factory by all, and Senator Davis informed
the ssnste while the house leaders carried