Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-07
A CHANGED SITUATION.
Continued from page -

countries, the United States and Spain.
The powers of Europe, material and
moral, it is known. brought to bear all
their influence on the government of
Spain. and still are actively at work
seeking by the wiscst and most polite
course necessary in View of the circum-
stances and sentiments of the two gre t
nations involved. 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 assembling at the
British embassy in this city. yesterday
afternoon. of the representatives of six
great powers of Europe. who then and
there We're made mutually acquainted
with what had been done abroad and
with the desire of those who accredited
them to Washington that they should
work in accordance here. this concert,
however. in the United States. not To
go beyond a mild tender of good offices
to secure peace and delay definite
declaration of war if hostilities finally
became inevitable.
Some of the representatives assem-
blcd at Sir Julian Paunccfotes may
have wished to offer mediation. but if
SO were warned against it by others IN
the conference who understood more
clearly that such procedure would lie
resented and work to hostile and not To
peaceful ends.
The improved condition of affairs was
reflected throughout all public quarters
late in the day 1t was manifested at
the White House. among cabinet Off
Il h. l,,,e- ..t.
tons. including the Spanish legation.
AT the latter establishment Senior Polo
said that while he did not disclose any
of the information reaching him in an
official character, yet he felt that tn"
strain of a few hours ago was matcri-
ally relieved and that the prospects for
peace looked much brighter He in nu
way confirmed. nor would he even dis
| cuSs, views entertained in other high
official quarters, that Spain was slowly
but surely yielding and confirmed his
! uttelances to the general statement
that conditions We're improving.
| Accompanying the actual develop
| mentS of the day came a Hood of re
| ports and rumorS of a startling char
| aCtor, little of it, however, having amy
authentic basis. The rumors Of dis
| turhancc at Havana, We're not borne
out by the official advices here.
The uncertainty following a great
| disappointment was the condition cX-
sting 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
| b,,, nf l., g
| the Senate and House to the White
! House and they We're Informed that the
message was to be withheld upon the
| information received from Consul Cen
| eral Lee. The reasons he gave were
! deemed entirely satisfactory by all and
Senator Davis informed the Senate.
! while the House leaders carried the
news to that body. That the danger to
American life was considered sufficient
reason for non action appeared in the
postponement of all proposed meetings
to consider the situation.
The proposed armistice by Spain in
! jected another feature into the discus
/ sion of the situation and while some
| We're very hopeful that a satisfactory
solution if the problem might eventua t.
| from it. the general feeling was that
the conditions in Cuba, a determination
| of insurgents to continue fighting until
/ independence was recognized and the
sentiment of this country in favor %
Cuba's independence of Spain, possibly
made overtures in this line too late.
A generally quieter feeling was evil
dent al the war and navy departments
| whore in contrast to the feversh eX-
citement Of the past week, the tone was
almost pathetic While there was the
usual amount of routine attendant up
on the recent work of preparation
things settled down almost to the nor.
NAL. No more contracts for new YES
sells We're closed by the navy depart
ment and no changes in the stations ot
ships announced Today was also no.
tceabe for the absence of the confer.
ences of high officials and the grea
tide of visitors, congressman, public
men and contractors almost entirel,
disappeared.
Assistant Secretary Meikle john {,
the war department.. made public
statement showing that up to this tim
! there has been allotted to the depart