The record-union., 1898-04-10

gress. This is in accordance with the
Presidents expressed desire.
WAR PREPARATIONS CONTINUE.
The military and naval preparations
continued with undated activity, and
the strategic experts are formulating
prospective plans Of campaign. It seems
to be the accepted view among these
experts that it win not be necessary
to extend the campaign beyond the
island of Cuba, unless Spain assumes
an aggressive attitude. in which case
the operations of the United States
military and naval forces will be ex-
tended to the Spanish possessions of
Porto Rico, the Philippines, the Cana
ries, and possibly Spain itself 1t is
the opinion, however. that the fighting
Will not extend far beyond Cuba and
Cuban waters. and that after She Unit
ed States gains control of Cuba hos
tilities would not be prolonged. This
view, however, leaves out the fact that
| after fighting once begins, it cannot
be foretold how far it will go, and the
Government is preparing for an emer-
gency.
CUBANS WILL NOT ACCEPT ARM
ISTICE.
Mr.. Quesada. the diplomatic represen-
tative of the Cuban insurgents in this
city, was. seen this afternoon by an
Associated Press reporter with regard
to the constantly reiterated report from
Madrid that the Queen Regent might
issue an armistice proclamation
1T is useless for us" said Mr.. Que
sada, ito reiterate again for the thou
sandth time that we will not accept
an armistice and give up the ad-
vantages we naturally possess in the
rainy season. We understand perfect
ly well that Spain seeks only delay.
We will have nothing but indepen-
dence. AS a matter of fact, an arm
istice is a suspension of hostilities to
be arranged by the opposing Generals.
General Blanco and General Gomez
would have to agree to an arnistice.
Does any one think General Gomez
would agree to suspend hostilities just
as we are about to win the great boon
/ for which our people have fought and
struggled SO long? Besides. WHO is to
take the proposition for an armistice
to General Gomez. The constitution of
! the Cuban Republic and the civil law
absolutely forbid the General in Chief,
under penalty of death, to entertain or
receive any offer from the Spanish
lines, unless it has for it's basis the
absolute independence of Cuba Who
is to carry the offer? The fate of
Ruiz is warning of the fate which
would await such an envoy"
MAY HAVE LITTLE EFFECT.
As these dispatches stated yesterday,
the question Of armistice was under
consideration by the Spanish Ministry
last Wednesday evening, with every
prospect, it is assumed, that a decree Of
armistice would be proclaimed when
Minister Woodford's imperative note to
Minister Gullon was received, causing
personal offen.se and for the time being
changing the consideration Of the ar
mistice decree. Since then Mr.. Wood
ford has withdrawn his note, and the
Continental powers have pressed Spain
to proclaim the armistice 1t is doubt
full. however. whether the authorities
here would regard the situation as i'm
proved by any decree which failed TO
include the prospects of Cuban indie
pendenco or Intervention. Even the
1 ambassadors and Ministers most
friendly to Spain doubt whether an ar
mistice can exert any favorable influ-
ence at this late day In one of these
quarters it was stated to-day that an
arrnistice was beneficial only when two
parties accepted it. In this case, it
was explained, the two parties We're the
Spanish Government and the insur-
gents, with the indications that the lat
ter would reject it, In that event this
high diplomatic authority pointed out
that there could be no armistice except
in empty name. There has been no sug-
gestion more than a moral influence
would be exerted toward it's accept
ance, and at the various Embassies and
Legations the idea is secuted that any
naval or military forces from the Eu-
ropean powers would operate against
the insurgents in order to compel them
to accept the armistice.
THE TOPEKA AND SOMERS.
Secretary Long was at his desk for &
short time thise morning. going early
to the Capitol to keep an appointment
with the House Appropriations Com
mittee. During the morning there was
a meeting of the Strategic Board, con
sisting of Assistant Secretary Roose-
Welt. Captain Crowninshield Of the Bu-
reau of Navigation and Captain Glove!
of the Intelligence Bureau. The 1nos
important naval movement reported L
the Department during the morning
was the departure of the cruiser To-
peka and the torpedo vessel Somers
from Weymouth, England, for New
York. This is a matter OF congratula.
ton to the officials, who are anyiou:
that the vessels which have been pur
chased from foreign Government: