The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-02

which look to the side-tracking Of the main
issue, which Is the immediate and COM
plete independence Of Cuba.
1t is now a question with the President
whether he will continue to treat with
Spain further along the lines suggested In
the dispatch and grant the additional
time which is required. No message will
De sent to Congress today. The reply of
the Spanish government will be consid-
cred at the meeting Of the cabinet this
morning, and then 1t will be decided
whether an ultimatum will be sent to
Spain.
Up to this time no ultimatum, in the
diplomatic sense of the word, has been
forwarded. If sent 1t will mean that Spain
must within twenty-four hours answer
specifically as to the demands made by the
United States IN the event of a failure
| to answer or q positive rejectment Of the
American propositions the President will
suggest to Congress the advisability of
| recognizing the independence Of Cuba and
enforcing that recognition by a military
demonstration. This will practically be
declaration Of war, although 1t will not go
literally to that extent.
WHAT 1T SAYS
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The reply Of
Spain is said, in effect, to be:
The independence of Cuba means the
parting or cession of Spanish territory
which cannot be done without the consent
of the Spanish Cortes, which is not in ses-
| sion and will not be in session until April
"a, and consequently no definite answer
can be returned to the demand of the
| %y,oC
| Then a counter proposition is submitted
with Cuba matter which shall be settled
| upon basis equitable among nations.
! The United States Is asked to give Spain
ftime to treat with the insurgents and as
certain what can be done in the nature of
a peaceful settlement.
Senators who know the nature of the re-
ply say 1t Is a very shrewd piece Of diplo-
macy and made for its effect upon the
world at large. 1t Is said the reply is un-
satisfactory to the President and that he
does not believe 1t will be satisfactory to
| Congress. Administration officials feel
| that after Monday. Congress is likely to
| take matters into its own hands, and fear
| is expressed that there will be disagree
ment between the branches Of the govern
| ment, which would be unfortunate at this
critical period.
No one at the Capitol has undertaken to
| speak for the President, although those
| who have seen him say that his hopes of
, a peaceful solution Of the difficulty have
| been disappointed by the reply of Spain.
| NO SPANISH INTEREST
| MADRID. April lit Is curious to note
how little interest the general public took
in yesterdays important conference. Only
a few reporters witnessed the arrival and
departure of the conferees.
General Woodford was the first to emerge
and, smoking cigar. he walked quietly
| to his residence. The Ministers soon fol-
lowed and drove separately to their homes.
When informed Of the proposed govern
ment measures for the relief Of the recon-
centrados, the Queen Regent announced
that she would appoint ladies' commit
tee, over which she will personally preside.
| to take charge Of and educate the orphans
of the war, both Cubans and Spaniards.
| At midnight a workman at Bilboa arrived
at the box office of the Royal Opera House
where the performance to raise funds for
the Spanish Navy took place and presented
500 pesetas as a subscription to the ma
tional fund. He refused to give his name,
simply replying that he had fought in two
Carlist wars and the first campaign in
Cuba It is proposed to bestow the title
of Grandee upon this workman. Accord
ing to the scheme Of the national subscrip-
ton everyone well-to-do is expected to con-
tribute 1000 pesetas and upwards and 1t is
calculated that million Spaniards will
subscribe the amount named.
AUToNoMIsTs APPEAL
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Cuban
government, meaning thereby the present
| home rule authorities in Cuba and not the
| insurgents, has appealed to the President
of the United States to respect the will
of the majority of the people of Cuba.
Their appeal declares that the majority
represents those in favor of home rule I'M
der Spanish sovereignty; that the insur-
gents are in the minority; that the major
| ity has right to rule it's own destinies;
| that 1t would be an injustice for a for
eign will (meaning the United States) to
impose upon this majority a political
regime contrary to its will, and that 1t
would be a great wickedness to dispose Of
it's lot without its own consent. The ap-
peal to the President does not in terms
protest against the United States securing
the independence Of Cuba, but its tenor
Is to protest against any form of Cuban
overnmcnt other than that now being
carried on by the Cuban authorities. The
appeal is signed as follows: Jose Malta
Galvez, President of the Honorable Gov
eminent of Cuba
The appeal was placed in the hands of
the President this morning and the state
ment was made that 1t was the direct ex-
preston of the Cuban government itself
without the inspiration or knowledge of
the Spanish government, either at Madrid.
Havana or elsewhere.
A Water Bicycle
SAN FRANCISCO, April LA water BIZ
cycle, driven by two men seated tandem
fashion. may now daily be seen oh San
Francisco Bay. It Was built on original