Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-31
United States Must Have an Answer Sometime
This Week.
President McKney's Will Prevails in Spite of Violent
Talk-Span Disappointed in Attitude
of European Powers.

Washington, March SO-The vital
point in the Cuban situation, viz, indie
pendence, has shifted itself from Wash
ington to Madrid, where the Spanish
government is now giving grave and
earnest consideration to propositions
presented by the government of the
United States.
On the answer to these propositions
probably depends the future course of
the relations between Spain and the
United States. 1t is believed that it is
now but a question of an exceedingly
short time before the Inevitable crisis
must come. The Spanish ministry will
hold a cabinet council tomorrow after
the propositions have been submitted to
the queen regent, and as a result of that
conference, it is said by the administra-
ton, that definite answer to its pro-
posals will be received.
The propositions submitted by this
country contemplate a complete and i'm
mediate cessation of hostilities in Cuba,
the return of the reconcentrados to their
usual avocations, and the independence
of Cuba, this last feature to be secured
probably on an indemnity basis, by
which the island would pay a substan-
tial sum for its freedom from Spanish
rule.
These propositions take a wide scope,
and there are many details in the alter
native propositions, the purpose, being
to present every possible plan promising
a solution of the Cuban problem so long
as an end of the Cuban war and Cuban
independence are embodied in the ulti-
mate result.
1t has been made perfectly clear to
Spain that nothing less than a close of
the war and the independence of the
island will suffice as an adequate settle
ment. Such lesser methods as have been
contemplated from time to time are now
put aside. 1t is now for Spain to accept
or reject these tenders.
Never before until now has the Span
ish government even for moment en-
tertained such propositions. Now in the
stress Of present emergency, with dec
larations of war introduced in the Am
erican congress, Spain has reluctantly
consented to consider them. This in IT.
self has given lively hope of satisfactory
results, but it involves a grave crisis in
SPAIN and it cannot be foretold what the
final action at Madrid will be. Until to-
day it was believed that Spain would in
y
the independence of Cuba or American
intervention, or the disappearance of
the Spanish flag from the Island, either
through purchase by the Cubans or
otherwise.
There was the best of reasons for the
official belief that, as between peace
and war on these propositions, Spain
would choose war, but more hope APP
parently is entertained here of Spain
being in a yielding mood, as the Amer
lean plans for solution are being care
fully weighed with a view to final
decision AS stated the answer is be-
lieved to be only a question of perhaps
two or three days. When it is received,
the future course of this government
will be determined 1t is the view of
the administration that the present
week will shape the policy of the future,
whether it is one of peace or one of
war.
Naturally this critical juncture has
occasoned the greatest interest here,
coupled with no little excitement as
word was passed about that the last
stage In the negotiations with Spain
had been reached. Many representative
men of congress, senators and repre-
sentatives, called at the White, House
and conferred with the president. To
the leaders In congress, the president
stated that definite results were expect
ed from Madrid by Friday. This served
To allay the intense feeling which has
heen manifested in congress, ana
through the influence of the leaders
further radical action by the senate
and house was for the time being de-
ferred
Al the capitol, excitement was un-
abated. The meeting of the senate
committee on foreign relations oe-
casioned a great deal OF interest be-
cause of many warlike resolutions
which were introduced yesterday, and
referred to that committee On the
house side there was an intensity OF
feeling. After the vote on the Bailey
resolution many republicans went to the
white House to confer with the pres
ident and to express to him their nope
that something might be promised
which would relieve the strained situa-
ton. The assurance of the PRESIDENT
was given to these members that by
FRIDAY night, at the latest, sometalnS
definite could be expected.
Tho foreign relations committee mad
on afternoon session, at which Com
mander Bradford chief Of the bureau
az equipment of the navy, presented ms
estimate of the relative strength of the
Snanish and United States navies. This
moved only incidental to the main
subject under discussion, which was
tha value of the island of st. Thomas
or some other point in eWst Indies FOR
a naval station.
The situation at the capital is one of
waiting expectancy. Senators and rep
resentatives are willing to give the pres
idsAtfgan opportunity to carry out his
rSsi3NSkbut there is impatience to have
s84i9Yinformation regarding these plans,
and some assurances that they will not
delay action too long.
II was stated today in a high diplo-
matic quarter that the Spanish govern
ment. within the last 10 days, had ad-
dressed a note to the great powers of
Europe. fully setting forth the grave as