The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-02

stand. But as | said before nothing has
yet been determined upon by the Presi-
dent. or if he has reached n decision
he did not communicate it TO the mem
bers of the Cabinet this afternoon.
Yes. 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 suggest
ed that the matter be settled by arbitra
ton. So fa- as | recall she expressed
no regret for the sad occurrence and the
whole thing was regarded as Il cold
blooded statement"
The second session Of the Cabinet
lasted from ; O'Clock till 6:20.
The Spanish Minister called Mt the
State Department at 4:30 o'clock and
was in conference with Judge Day fol
some time. Olthough there was the
strictest reserve as TO what had occurred.
ii can be stated positively that the Uni
ted States submitted no further prono-
sitions, nor did the Spanish Minister
offer anything which changed the situ-
alton Of affairs.
Both sides regard the ;ssue as mad,
up, with 10 likelihood of further negotia-
tions between now and the time when
case to Congress. The United States
has presented its demand and Spain
has given her answer Thus the case
stands. While this brings a halt TO the
active negotiations which have been tn
progress for the last few days it does
not mean that diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries are terminated.
for such step is the last preliminary
before an actual state of war. United
States Minister Woodford remains at
his post at Madrid, and it is said to be
entirely safe from harm. The Spanish
Minister, Senor Polo Bernate, also re-
mains at his post in Washington. The
critical condition of affairs within recent
days has led him and his staff 10 con-
slider what disposition Of their effects
would he made in case their position
here became untenable.
From the Spanish standpoint there is
the same disposition as that shown by
the authorities here, to regard the issue
as made up. The answer Of Spain is
looked upon as the Limit of concession
which Madrid will grant. If there is
to he another move. the Spanish govern
ment looks to the United States 10 make
It, This at least is the situation as it
Washington. OF course it cannot be.
foretold what Madrid will do in the
stress Of circumstances within the next
two days. But these best able TO judge
do not expect any further move from
there. The Spanish Minister has natur-
ally been center in the exciting incl
dents of to-day. He is fully conscious
of the gravity Of the situation. and
while expressing hope for peace speaks
TO his friends of the eventualities which
NAV come.
The staff Of the Legation is working
day and night and the lights in the
Legation office We're burning until
o'clock this morning, while the secre-
taries and attaches We're decipherng
cabIegrams. and in turn reducing dis
patches 70 cipher for transmission to
Madrid. The Minister personally sup
erintends all this work, and no effort is
made to condense or spare expense in
presenting by cable the information be-
tween the officials here and at Madrid.
Late this afternoon Madrid bulletin
was received stating that the Pope was
seeking to exercise pacific influences, by
inducing both Spain and the insurgents
TO accent an armistice in Cuba. If this
is true the Pope has not given any in
structions or information along this
line 10 Monsignor Martinelli. the papal
delegate at Washington. The latter has
taken no steps toward mediation. II
has been reported that one of the Arch
Bishops Of the Catholic church. III the
course of an informal conversation with
high officials, suggested the mediation
of the Pope. This, however, was un-