The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-01
SPAIN 5 ANSWER SENT.
Cipher Cable Reaches White
House Last Night.
CONGRESS- KEEPS COOL.
Promise Given to Do Nothing Rash
Before Monday.
GUESSING AS To GERMANY.
Story Of a Naval Demonstration
Not Credited.

washington, March S1.-Spain's official
reply to President McKinley's latest de-
mand in the Cuban situation was receiv-
ed in Washington tonight. An anxious
partv. comprising most of the cabinet and
several close friends of the administra-
ton. waited until late in the evening in
expectation of developments. About 10:3O
the message began to come, in cipher, and
the work of translation was begun at
once.
1t was officially stated, however, that
10 intimation as to the nature of the re-
ply could be divulged tonight
Among those at the White House were
Senator Hanna. Secretary Alger, secre-
tary Bliss, Assistant Secretary of State
Day, who dined with the President; As
sistant Secretary of State Adee, 10 whom
was confded the translation of the mes
sage; Senator Spooner and Senator Aid
rich.
There was an intensely expectant crowd
of newspaper correspondents, larger than
often gathers at the White House at night
waiting in the lobby outside the Presi-
dents Office. But they were destined to
disappointment, for after the telegraph in
struAent in the adjoining office had stead
lily clattered for half an hour, Mr.. Porter
the Presidents secretary, appeared with
the announcement from Secretary Day
that it was impossible to translate the
message in time to give out any state
ment tonight. The telegraph key was
still clicking when the correspondents filed
out, indicating that the message was at
least quite lengthy.
The visitors gradually drifted out from
the Presidents Office, till at midnight no
one was left but Secretary Porter. He de-
parted half an hour later leaving only the
telegraph operator and the translator
struggling with the message.
Adjt. Gen. Corbin came over from the
war department at 1890 a. m., but did not
go 10 the White House. Meeting Secreta-
ry Porter at the door the two walked home
together
All those who had been with the Presi-
dent were reticent on leaving the executive
mansion, most of them declaring they had
not seen any of the translation of the ci-
pher dispatch and that they had no idea
of its purport.
for Spain's reply
On that reply, it was universally be-
Heved, the issue between peace and war
would be decided, unless some new and
unexpected considerations arose to post
pone the matter further
But delay would meet the opposition of
Congress. The gravity of the situation
was felt in all official circles. It was not
day of rapid development, as when war
succession, but the tension was even
greater from the uncertainty that prevail
ed, and the feeling that Spain would rot
concede the complete independence Of
Cuba
The White House continued to be
thronged with congressional leaders, anX-
ious to learn from the President what
MS course was to be. The general view
conveyed by these leaders, after they had
been with the President, was that he eX-
pected TO have definite replies from Spain
IN time TO present the entire subject 10
Congress by next Monday.
The attitude of European powers contn-
ued to be seriously discussed in Official
quarters, as it was felt an offer of Euro
pean mediation was almost certain 20
follow a war crisis No distinct offer has
been submitted up to the present moment.
In this connection, the cable report from
Berlin that Germany was menacng Spain
on an old claim, and was about to make
naval demonstration in Cuba. attracted
most attention. The German ambassador,
Dr. Won Holleben, said that he had receiv-
cd no information as to this reported
move nor was he acquainted with the
Cannambra case referred to in. the dis
patch. The Spanish minister is also un-
acquainted with the Cannambra case, ana
uoes not credit the report that Germany
mas taken steps of a decisive character.
II was the general feeling that IL Ger
many had taken any such action, II would
nave a most decided influence upon the
Spanish-American situation, and one seri-
ously prejudic.al to Spain.
For this reason it was the opinion of dip
iomats that Germany would not choose
such juncture as the present in order to
make emergency demands a claim against
Spain.
Said prominent diplomat to-day:
Spain seems to be under the impression
that her national honor forbids her from
surrendering part Of her colonial domain
under the pressure OF the United States.
There are. however, precedents showing
that European powers have preserved
their dignity while making similar con-
cessions. 1t may be remembered that
she Ionian Islands. a part of the Turkish
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