The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-04-09
WAR IS INEVITABLE.
Only Awaiting the Sending Of the
Presidents Message to Congress.
HOSTILITIES NAY BEGIN EARLIER.
Three Features OF the Present Situation
All Negotiations Between Washing
ton and Madrid suspended
The Powers Heard From.

Al NA~ AAA ~ NNS
inevitable, except in the unlocked for
event of a surrender on the part of
Spain. The presidents message which
he had intended to send to congress
Wednesday has not been changed in
any particular and embodies the unan-
imous views of the cabinet without the
slightest variance or exception. Any
movement to avert war now must come
from Madrid and must concede Ameri-
can demands including an end to
Spain's domination in Cuba.
Three features .tand out plainly in
the development of the day. At noon
yesterday the six great powers of Eu-
rope, through their representatives
here, called at the White House and
presented to President Mckinley a
joint note expressing urgent hope for a
peaceful adjustment between the
United States and Spain, to which the
president replied with u~nmistakable
plainness as to the duty and the unset
fish endeavors of this government to
terminate the insufferable conditions
in Cuba.
Another and probably the most sig
nitcant actual step showing the final
ity reached by the United States gov
eminent, was the authoritative state
ment that Consul-General Lee would
leave Havana On Saturday. This step,
it is known, will be regarded by Spain
as akin to an overt act preceding a
as IL will terminate the medium of Off
cIIt intercourse between the United
STAGES and the island.
Ihird, and almost equally important,
was the ominous tone of press advices
from Madrid; where the war feeling
seems t o dominate instead OF the o
cessiOns. the opening of prison doors
and the other manifestations of peace
and good will which Holy Thursday
was expected to bring forth. and the
more definite announcement of action
hat would bring peare to Cuba.
The heavy guard about Minis
ter's Woodford's house, the imper-
ative character of the last note,
the var utterance OF Minister COrreo
and the turbulence at the Spanish cap
ital left little hops thae pacific coun-
sells would prevail. No negotiations
are proceeding at Madrid on the part of
this government. but the powers of Eu-
roDe. it is understood. are doing their
utmost to persuade the Spanish gov
ernnent to yield and avert war.
On the highest authority it can be
stated that no instructions have been
given as yet to Minister Woodford
compelling his withdrawal. the only
step in that direction being the deter
mination that Gen. Lee leave Havana
on saturday.
The note of the European powers
presented to the president yesterday
has not, in the opinion of members of
the administration, changed the situa-
ton in the slightest degree. What
pressure was brought to Deal to Sc
cure even this mildly expressed hope
that further negotiations would result
in the maintenance of peace is not
known. but it is confidently believed
that it is the result of persistent APP
pcals on the part of Spain for some cX-
preston in favor of peace between the
two countries.
The note is not regarded in any
sense As a protest against the course
thi, government has pursued thus far,
or is likely to adopt to secure a stable
government in Cuba. Some Of the
governments represented in the note
are known to be IA full accord with
this government in its purposes with
respect to the Cuban question and.
therefore, any theory thai the note
was intended as Z remonstrancc is not
re ;rlLd as t2nabiG.
- reply Of the government which
h previously been read and approved
b. ..cm0crs OF the cabinet il not con
si&Srei as indicating any change IN the
fixed purpose OF tlc president to inter
vcnc in Cuba a. oa,e. 10" is it believed
il las thc expectation Of Il majority Of
ii, ioTeiGn representatives, present
that the United States shouid change
il policy or reglrd the joint no.e as
ot&er than an expression in behalf OF
ps"cr and without special significance.
, - far rs known in administration
circles. 10 furtA,, representations on
this subject are expected. No offers o.
mediation on the pat OF any European
power has been received, and there is
high authority for the statement that
none would by accepted if profered.
This has been the fixed policy Of the
government from the first. and there is
no prospect OF a change in this regard.
~ the embassies and legations The
presentation OF the joint not % the
Pc.,c.s was regarded rs the event of
tia ..av. An ambassador from one Of
u. treat powers of continental Eu-
ron stated that it was without q par
all! n history; inat it was the drst
= me only time that the SIN great
nations of Europe, representing IN the
aggregate the power of civilization,
had united in this solemn maEnerto Sc
care the peace OF the world. II was,
this high authority stated, a move
meIs historical in character and one
fitting to occur on the advent of the
twentieth century.
Calls ut the various embassies and
legations late in the day showed that
the response OF the president had ere
TIED a most favorable impression in
foreign quarters. The presidents an
swer was looked upon, to some extent,
as Il counter-appeal to the Powers tof