The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-05

Washington, April 2.-The issue be
tween the United States and Spain re-
mains unchanged. No communications
having any bearing upon the situation
have passed between this government
and Spain since last Thursday night
when Minister WoOdfOrd transmitted
the reply Of the Sagasta ministry TO
THE presidents propositions of two
weeks ago. Both governments appear
to accept this issue as made up, and
are shaping their course accordingly.
This being the case the view is univer-
sally entertained, even by representa-
tive men of the administration, that
congress upon receipt of the presidents
message early next week, will take ac-
tion which, it is almost universally ex-
pected, must result in a severance of
the relations of the two countries. This
was in part f-ore5hadowed by the action
of the M committee o N foreign re
latiOns today i'm agreeing to a resolu-
tiOn favorable to the independence OF
Cuba and for ARMED intervention if
necessary to secure independence. With
the crisis $40 near at hand it is believed
that if any European intervention or
HGulau1Cn rs 10 cODne III Wall lDe WplIlln
1he next few days. 1T was said, how
ever, at the state department. late this
afternoon that no offer of European
mediation had yet been officially trans
mitted to this government. 1T was
the general understanding that friendly
overtures of this nature We're looked
for at almost any time from France or
Austria and it was reported during the
day that the presence i'm Washington
of Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop
Irelapd was in connection with The
mediation from Rome, butit was stated
ON high authority at the state depart
mpcnt that no Overtures of this char
acter have taken official form nor was
the state department advised that amy
such steps We're in contemplation. Tt
is the understanding in official circles,
based upon information, thkat the recOg-
milton of Cuban independence would
not in itself Zoe regarded by Spain as
a caSuS 'belli. But at the same time
There is little doubt that such ~recOgni-
ion of Cuban independence would fbe
followed by the withdrawal of the Span
ish minister, Senior Polo y Bernlabe and
his entire suite, from Washington and
the termination of Spain's diplomatic
representation at Washington. Such
withdrawal is one of the best steps pre-
ceding actual reSOurs ITO war. 1T is
probable, however, THAT the withdrawal
of the Spanish minister, following the
recognition of Independence, would not
be so much am Indication of war as it
would be an emphatic protest by the
Spanish government against the recOg-
milton of the independence of a colony
over which SHE claims to exercise COM
plete sovereignty. Although this recog-
milton of independence is not cOnSid-
cred a casus belli by which Spain could
declare war, yet lit is viewed in diplo-
matte quarters as a step (which would
have consequences Inevitably terminat-
ing war. For THAT reason it IS aid
that the recognition OF the Independence
of Cuba us likely to be no less grave
than intervention
TRYING POSITION OF SPANISH
MINISTER.
TIL Spanish minister continues to
preserve his outward calm, although
he feels that she relations are extreme
1y strained and that his stay in WASH
ingtOn may not long be continued. To
some of his diplomatic associates who
called today he said that his conscience
was perfectly clear, as he thought that
Spain's cause was a just one and for
this reason he felt no agitation. His
position is a trying one, however. as
the Spanish legation has been subject
ed to a number of petty indignitieS
within recent days. These are of such
petty character that they have not
DStll dllCu ~ lulG dlCtuIlHoll VI ftIlt SON-
officials. although police Off
GERS were detailed to see that the of
lenses were not continued and that no
acts Of vandalism or personal indignfty
We're committed.
CPAIN'S REPORT ON THE MAINE
DISASTER.
The state department today received
the fun report of the Spanish commits
sion which investigated the destruction
OF the battleship Maine. This docu-
ment has been expected for some days.
but it was not until today that it reach
Washington by a special messenger
from Havana. 1T proved ITO be a most
bulky and volUnnislouS document, of
far greater length than the report of
the American court of inquiry. The
text as delivered to the state depart
megpt rs in Spanish, and it will Itake
some time for the elaborate document
10 be translated. 1T covers at least $50
closely written pages of official papar,
double the size OF foolscap. The Asso-
ciated Press early in the week gave a
complete and official synopsis OF this
Spanish report, the essential features
of which were that the explosion of the
Maine occurred inside of the ship and
that no evidence existed of any exter-
iOr explosion.
SPAIN'S DEAD FISH STORY Elk
PUODED.
admiral Irwin today was among the
witnesses before the senate
on foreign relations which is making
a thorough inquiry into the Maine dis
aster. His testimony was regarded as
important i'm meeting the position of
the Spanish commission that a mine