The age-herald., 1898-04-07
SPAIN REOPENS
 THE QUESTION This the Prime Cause of Delay
 of Message. A MORE PACIFIC FEELING Influence Of the Powers Brought to Bear
 on Madrid Government. THE REOPENING OF NEGOTIATIONS Said to Mean the Independence of
 Cuban Insurgents. THE DETAILS YET TO BE REVEALED That Strain Has Been Materially frightened Is Reflected in All Departments-Mc- Kinley May Write New Message
 to Send to Congress.
Said to Mean the Independence of
 Cuban Insurgents.
THE DETAILS YET TO BE REVEALED
fBy Associated Press.)

WaShington, Apldl 6-Swift as can- non's flash moved the Cuban situation to- day. The galleries of congress were crowded, senators and representatives were anxious and agitated, even the diplomatic corps was in ferment, awaiting a meS- sage from the president of 'the United States to the congress of American people that might mean war.
 The word passed that there would be no message today. Its suddennness stunned the public, which heard the news in dis torted forms and amazed veteran members of congress. Ultimately it became known that not only would there be no message today, but no message this week. and that it was at least a possibility the mes- sage wrdtten and approved might never go to congress at all.
 The firt reason for the delay was that the administration received advices from General Lee at Havana indicating that all Americans could not be gotten off the island today and would be in grave peril If the message preceded their departure.
 Spain Reopens the Case
 The second reason, and perhaps equally potent with the other, slowly drifted into public comprehension late in the day. chiefly through the medium of published Associated Press dispatches from Madrid for extreme reticence was maintained on the subject by the few in Washington who knew the facts-and even cabinet officers were uuduNlSeu OH the SuDJeCL. InlS im- portant news was that the Spanish govern ment after what plainly had been most ex- citing times in inner Spanish circles at Madrid, had decided to reopen the case closed, so far as this government was con- cerned by the refusal of Spain to make satisfactory response to the representa- tions made by the United States last week and in order to avert impending war, had decided to- make concessions heretofore re- fused. What will be the f1nalseutcome it is too early to say, but the aspect of affairs certainly is considerably more pacific and sufficient to renew the hope of the presi- dent in solution of the Cuban question satisfactory to the American people and achieved without bloodshed.
 The details remain to be worked out, but 1t is expected that between now and Mon day clearer light will be thrown upon the future by action at Madrid of which one important feature at least is the declara- tion of an armistice by the queen regent of Spain. This armistice, it is expected, will lead to ultimate independence of Cuba from Spanish rule, but by what intermed- ate steps perhaps even the governing powers do not at this time know. Much it is supposed will depend upon the Cuban insurgents and the people of the two coun- tries of the United States and Spain
 Powers Influence Spain
 The powers of Europe, material and moral, it is known, brought to bear all their influence on the government ol opeiin <'hu still are actively at work seeking the Wisest- course necessary in view of the circum- stances and sentiments of the two great nations involved to bring peace out of the gathering war clouds. All of the capitals of Europe have been in communication to this end a fact evinced by the assembling at the British embassy in this city yester- day of the representatives of the six great powers of Europe, who then and there were made mutually acquainted with what had been done abroad and with the desire Of those who accredited them to Washington that they should work in accord here, this concert however, in the United States not to go beyond mild tender of good offices to secure peace and delay definite declar- ation of war, if hostilities finally became inevitable Some of the representatives assembled at Sir Julian Pauncefotes may have wished to offer mediation, but If so, were warned against it by others in the conference who understood more clearly that such a procedure would be resented and work to hostile and not to peaceful ends.
 An Improved Condition
 The improved condition of affairs was reflected throughout all public quarters late in the day It was manifested at the white house among cabinet officers and att the embassies arid legations, including the Spanish legation. At the latter establish ment Senor Polo said that while he could not disclose amy of the information reach- ing him in an official character, yet he felt that the strain of a. few hours ago was materially relieved and that the prospects for peace looked much brighter. He in no way confirmed. nor would he even discuss views entertained in other official quarters that Spain was slowly but surely yielding, and confined his lIbtera nces to the general statement that conditions were improv- ing.
 The proposed arnMstice by Spain injected another feature into the discussion of the situation and while some were very hope ful that satisfactory solution of the prob- lem might eventuate from it, the general feeNng was that the conditions in Cuba, the ieterminat ton of the insurgents to con- tinne fighting until independence was rec ognized and the sentiment of this country in favor of Cuba's independence of Spain. possibly made overtures on this line too late.
 "A generally -uuieter feeling was evident at the war and navy departments, where In contrast to the feverish excitement of the past week the tone was almost apathedc While there was the usual