The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-02
WAR SEEMS INEVITABLE
C1BINET MEMBERS ADMIT THE
GRAVITY OF SITUATION.

S5O4NAtA A AMo4SIbo AS[hlA Lh ~
GRAYITK OF SITUATION.
The Cabinet Meeting Yesterday Morning
Received Spain's Answer to the Ulti-
matum of the United States and Finding
1t Unsatisfactory Practically Decided
Upon a Policy That Seems Certain to
Involve Observation-Disclosures to be Sub
mitted to Congress Monday-The Other
Session of the Cabinet.
Washington, April There is little
doubt that the president and the men,
bers of his cabinet now regard con-
flict with Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message to congress which in all
probability will be sent in next Mon
day and certainly early next week 1T is
understood that the president will re-
view at some length the record as it
stands between this government and
Spain, but will not insist upon further
time. The cabinet meeting this morn
1 lllo w DIS tllC llloob lii
portant held in many years. 1t receiv-
ed Spain's answer to the ultimatum of
this government and finding it unsat-
isfactory practically decided upon a
policy which at this hour seems GER
tain to involve hostilities. The whole
reply will be laid before congress and
the question is now under consideration
as to what the policy of the admins
tration shall take. Propositions rang
ing from a simple recognition Of Cuban
independence to straightout declara-
tion of war have been urged at the cap
itol, but there is hardly doubt that
the majority of congress await the ex-
ecutive lead before taking action and is
disposed to adopt President McKinley's
suggestion on this point 1t Is thought
that any of the resolutions except pos
sibly one for simple recognition of in
dependence would lead to war. There
were, of course, all sorts of rumors in
circulation, including reports of media
tion by some European powers, but no
such suggestion has come to this gov
sponseto questions Assistant Secretary
Day said there had been no offer of
mediation of any foreign government.
Submission of Question to Congress.
A cabinet member spoke substantial
ly as follows: "In the morning it will
be apparent to us that, having ex-
hausted all diplomatic efforts to bring
about a better condition Of affairs in
Cuba and those having failed, the
whole question must be submitted to
congress AT our afternoon meeting
the president requested each member
to express freely his individual opinion
as to what should be done. The dis
cussion was entirely on the lines indi-
Gated by the members. Nothing def
mite was decided upon and no conclu-
sions reached The president will now
take the views submitted to him under
consideration preparatory to his mes
sage to congress, which will be sent
early next week. President Mckinley
has done a great deal of work recently
and appears fatigued. Consequently
he will take some little rest before be-
ginning active work on the message.
He Is not yet determined when it will
be presented to congress- My own in
dividual opinion is that but little faith
can be put in promises made by Spain
and this makes me hesitate about ac-
cepting with any confidence her latest
| proposals
Spain's Promises.
| tIn the first place she promised a
| long time ago that the reconcentrados
| would be released. The result shows
that this promise has not been kept.
| Now she proposes to release them but
keep them under immediate supervi-
sion. Who can tell whether she will
adhere to this? Broadly, there appears
to be three courses open to the presi-
| dent in dealing further with this mat
| ter. The first is to accept the pro-
| posals submitted by pain in reply to
| the American representations, the sec
ond to refer the matter to congress
and let that body do as 1t sees proper,
which I think would mean Intervention,
as I said before, nothing has yet been
determined upon by the president or If
he has reached a decision he did not
| communicated it to the cabinet. Yes, ref
erence was made by Spain to the Maine
affair in the reply she sent through
Minister Woodford. She made no offer
| to pay for the loss, but suggested that
the matter be settled by arbitration.
So far as I recall she expressed no re-
gret for the sad occurrence and the
whole thing was regarded as a cold
blooded statement" The second ses-
sion of the cabinet lasted from
o'clock until $40.
| Spanish Minister'S Call.
| The Spanish minister called at the
state department at 4:30 o'clock and
was in conference with Judge Day for
some time. Although there was the
! strictest reserve as to what had occur
red it can be stated positively that the
! United States submitted no further
| propositions, nor did the Spanish min
I lister offer anything which changed the
situation of affairs. Both sides regard
| the issue as made up, with no likeli-
hood of further negotiations between
now and the time when the president
will submit the whole case to congress.
/ The United States has presented it's
demand and Spain has given her an
swer. Thus the case stands. While