The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-04-21

WASHINGTON, April 20.-Spain re-
oeived official notification of the de-
mands Of the United States today. She
was informed that the Cuban resolution
passed by congress is now part of the
laws of the United States, and an ulti-
matum was sent demanding compliance
with this law, and an answer within a
very short time, probably As hours.
Compliance is not expected, and for
ward movement ON Cuba will COM
mence the latter part Of this week, ac-
cording to the plans of the admins
tration.
The congressional Cuban resolution
was not signed until this morning. The
ultimatum to Spain was signed at the
same hour The president early de.
cided to make the two practically one
act by a simultaneous signature of each.
The Cuban resolution passed by con.
gress arrived at the White House at 1:l5
o'clock yesterday, little over an hour
having been consumed in the formah-
ties of securing the signatures of
Speaker Reed and Vice President Ho-
bart in open session, and its delivery at
the White House by Representative
Hager of Iowa, chairman of the com.
mittee on enrolled bills, and Represen-
tative Overstreet of Indiana. 1t was
expected that the resolution would be
signed Immediately it reached the presi.
dent and this was Mr.. McKinley's in
clination, but for certain state reasons,
1t was deemed advisable that the resolu.
tion. and the ultimatum to Spain should
be signed simultaneously and time was
needed to draft the ultimatum in diplo-
matte form.
The fact that the resolution was not
Immediately signed gave rise TO a few
disquieting reports, but it soon ap-
peared from statements of cabinet Off
GERS that the president had not the
slightest intention of withholding his
signature, and that the delay in attach
ing it was accounted for solely by his
desire to have a full and complete plan
of operations for the government Of the
executive in the immediate future be-
fore taking the final and important step
of turning the joint resolution into a
statute. Just what this plan shall be
was the occasion for the two cabinet
meetings yesterday.
The first session in anticipation of the
reception of the resolution, was devoted
largely to questions of finance and mill
tary policy, as we'll as to the framing of
the ultimatum itself. So far as can be
gathered, the important point at issue
In regard to the ultimatum' was the
question Of time to be allowed for a re.
Spouse on the part Of Spain.
The steady progress Of military and
naval preparations indicated the convic.
ton on the part of the administration
that peaceful solution Of existing diff
culties Is not probable.
AS to the course Of events in the i'm
mediate future, the only prediction that
can be made is one based on precedents.
According to these, Minister Woodford
will notify the Spanish government of
the action Of the government of the
United States and, should the Spanish
answer be unsatisfactory, as is expected,
the next step in order will be for him to
ask for his passports and leave Madrid.
That would be followed instantly by the
withdrawal from Washington of Senior
Polo, the Spanish minister. At this
point, it can be said that the state de-
partment officials are confident that the
Spanish government will SO shape every
phase of the negotiations as to obhge us
to take the initiative at every point.
After the withdrawal Of the ministers
and assuming Spain does not back
down, will follow actual war, but
whether or not the first overt act will
be preceded by formal declaration Of
war, which would insure the immediate
naturalization Of the powers, or whether
the North Atlantic squadron will make
its appearance off Havana as begin
ming cannot yet be predicted. In this
connection it may be stated that the
army and navy experts are beginning to
take a less hopeful view Of an easy and
quick campaign than they entertained
a short time ago.
Months are now mehs-oned instead of
weeks as the probable length of hostili-
ties, and one eminent officer who had
experience in the late war, processes
belief that unless outside pressure is
brought to bear a war may easily drag
along for year, under the existing con-
ditions.
Apparently the powers have aban-
doned open efforts in Washington to in
fuence the course Of our government.
Matters were quiet at all the legations
ana no Instructions were received by
any of the ambassadors OF ministers in
the line Of mediation.
The ultimatum was prepared by AS
sistant Secretary of State Day.
From what member of the cabinet
said, previous TO the sending Of the ul-
timatum, Spain has As hours TO get out
of the island, OF until Friday evening.
He further said;
"If Spain refuses TO eyaoaabs Cuba
prompt measures will be adopted TO put
into force the congressional resolution.
A blockade OF Cuba VIII, so far as at
present understood, be begun at onoe
There are an adequate number Of wer
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