The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-02


message TO congress. which may be sent
In Monday. certainly early in the week.
Il is understood that Mr.. Mckinley will
review at some length the record as IL
stands between this government and
Spain. but will not insist upon further
time in which to continue negotiations
looking TO a peaceful solution OF the
Cuban problem.
The cabinet meeting in the morning
was unquestionably the most important
held I'm many years. 1t received Spain's
answer to the ultimatum Of this govern
ment and. finding il unsatisfactory.
practically decided upon a policy which
seems certain to involve hostilities. The
question is now under earnest consid-
Grafton OF what should be the particular
form our policy shall take In bringing
10 an end the horrors In Cuba and secur-
ing the independence-of the island.
Propositions ranging from simple
recognition of Cuban independence to
straight out declaration OF war have
been urged at the capitol, but there is
hardly doubt that the majority of con-
eress await the executive lead before
taking action and are disposed to adopt
Mr. McKinley's suggestion on this point.
1t Is thought that any OF the resolutions
except possibly simple recognition OF in
dependence would lead to war.
There were OF course all sorts OF rumors
In circulation. including reports of med
iation by some European powers. but
such a suggestion has not come to this
government. In response to a direct
question. Assistant Secretary Day saiu
that there had been no offer OF media
tion by any foreign government.
One member of the cabinet in speaking
of the meetings yesterday spoke sub
stanfiallx as follows: In the morning
IL was apparent to all OF US that. having
exhausted all diplomatic efforts to bring
about a better condition of affairs in
Cuba and they having failed. the whole
question must be submitted to con-
grese. At our afternoon meeting the
president requested each member of the
cabinet to express freely an opinion as
to what should be done. Nothing def
mite was decided upon and no con-
clusions were reached. The president
VIII take the views submitted to him un-
der consideration preparatory to his
message to congress, which will be sent
early next week. President Mckinley
has done a great deal of work recently
and appears pretty well fatigued. Con-
sequently he will take some little rest
before beginning active work on the
message. He has not yet determined
what recommendation will be commune
Gated to congress. My individual opin-
Ion Is that but little faith can be put in
promises made by Spain. and this makes
me hesitate about accepting with any
confidence her latest proposals. In the
first place she promised long time ago
that the reconcentrados would be re-
leased. The result shows that this
promise has not been kept. Now she
proposes to release them, but keep them
under military supervision. Who can
tell whether she will adhere to this ex-
pressed Intention? Broadly there ap-
pear to be three courses open to the
president in dealing further with this
matter. The first OF these Is to accept
the proposals submitted by Spain; the
second to relegate the whole matter to
congress and let that body do as it sees
proper. which think would mean in
tervention. and thirdly to take a middle
stand. AS l said before nothing has yet
been determined upon by the president.
or. IL he has reached decision, he did
not communicate 1t to the members of
the cabinet yesterday afternoon.
reference WAS made by Spain to
the Maine matter In the reply she sent
through Minister Woodford. She made
no offer to pay for the loss, but sug-
gested that the matter be settled by ar
bitration. So far az 1 recall she ex-
pressed no regret for the sad occurrence.
and the whole thing was regarded as a
cold blooded statement"
Both sides regard the issue as made
up. with no likelihood OF further ne
gotiations between now and the time
when the president will submit the
whole cese to congress. The United
States has presented its demand. and
Spain has given her answer, in substance
as follows: 1t proposes to confide the
preparation for an honorable and stable
peace to the insular parliament, with
out whose concurrence the Spanish gov
ernment would not be able to arrive ut
the final result, being understood that
the powers reserved by the constitution
90 the central government are not less.
ened or diminished. AS the Cuban
chambers will not meet until May. the
Spanish government will not, on its part.
object to a suspension of hostilities, IL
asked for by the insurgents from the
General-in-chicf. to whom IL will be-
long to determine the duration and the
condition OF the suspension. Thus the
case stands. From the Spanish stand
point. there Is the same disposition az
that shown by Hhe authorities here 70
regard the issue as made up. The an
swer OF Spain is looked upon as the linn
II Of concession which Madrid will grant.
II there In to be another move. the Span
ish government looks to the United
states to makeiit. This at least In the
situation as IL presents itself to those
bsst Informed I'm Washington. OF
course IL cannot be forefold what Madrid
win do I'm the stress OF circumstances
within the next two days. but those best
able TO Judge do not expect any FUR
ther move from Madrid. as they say
that Spain has reached the limit Of her
concessions.
While this brings a halt 60 the ac-
H. a.