The Portland daily press., 1898-04-08

| etSe4O1l al SQDfts W az LII UllO OB'4t--SA
the administration is inevitable, e1cep
in the unlocked for event of surren
der on the part of Spain. The President
message which he had intended 20 sene
to Congress yesterday has not beer
changed in any particular and eInbodiei
the unanimous views of the cabinet with
out the slightest variance or exception
Any movement to avert war now mus
come from Madrid and must concedt
American demands, including an end tt
| Spain S dominion in Cuba.
Three features stand out plainly in tht
developments of today. At noon the re
representatives. hero of the six great pow
ers of Europe called at the White House
and presented to President Mckinley, 8
| joint note expressing hope for a peaceful
adjustment between the United States
and Spain, to which I, the Preside Mt re;
piled with unmistakable plainnesss sasstst
the duty and Observation-Disclosures Of this
government to terminate the, insuferablf
conditions in Cuba. Another, and per
haps the most significant actual step,
showing the tinality reached by the Unit
ed States government was the authoritaf
tive statement that Consul General Lee
would leave Havana on Saturday. This
step, it is known, will be regarded by
Spain as akin to an overt act preceding
war; as it will terminate the medium OF
official intercourse between the United
States and the island.
Third, and almost equally important
was the ominous tone OF press advices
from Madrid where the war fever seemed
to have dominated, instead Of the conces-
sions, the opening of prison doors, and
the other manifestations OF peace and
good will which Holy Thursday was ex-
pected to bring forth and the more de-
finite announcement OF action that
would bring peace to Cuba.
The neavy guard about Minister Wood
fords house, the imperative character of
his note. tho war utterance Of Minister
Correa and the turbulence at the Spanish
capital, left little hope that peace coun-
sells would prevail No negotiations are
proceeding at Madrid on the part of this
government, but the powers of Europe,
It is understood, are doing their utmost
to persuade the Spanish government to
yield ard avert war. On the highest
authority it can be stated that no instruc-
tions have been given as yet TO Minister
Woodford contemplating his withdrawal,
the only step in that direction being the
determination that Gen. Lee shall leave
Havana on Saturday.
The note of the European powers pre-
sented to the President today has not, in
the opinion of members in the admins
tration, changed the situation in the
slightest degree. What pressure was
brought to bear to secure even this mild
ly expressed hope that further negoti-
ations would result in the maintenance
of 10 bJ1t 10 4.
IDENTIFY believed that 1t is the result of per-
sistent appeals on the part Of Spain for
some expression in favor of peace be.
tween the two countries. The note is not
regarded in any sense as protest against
the course this government has pursued
thus far, or is likely to adopt to secure
stable government in Cuba. Some of
the G overnments represented in the note
are Known to be in full accord with this
government in its purposes with respect
to th5 Cuban question, therefore any
theory that the note was intended rs q
renlonstrance is not regarded as tenabe.
The reply of this government which had
previously been read and approved by
mem bers of the cabinet, Is not considered
as indicating any change in the fixed
purpose of the President to intervene at
once in Cuba, nor is it believed that it
was the expectation of IA majority OF
the foreign representatives present that
the United States would change its policy
or regard the joint note as other than an
expression in behalf of peace and with
out special significance. SO far as known
in administration circles no further re-
presentations on this subject are expect
ed.
No offer of mediation on the part of any
European power had been received and
there is high authority for the statement
that none would be accepted If preferred.
l. Ll.o -@I1 Of n
government from the first and there is no
prospect Of a change in this regard. At
the embassies and legations the presenra-
Uion of the joint note of the powers was
regarded as the event of the day. An
ambassador from one of the great powers
Of continental Europe, stated that it was
without parallel in history; that it was
the first and only time that the six great
nations of Europe, representing in the
aggregate the power OF civilization, had
united i'll this solemen manner to So
cure the peace of the world. Calls at the
various embassies and legations late in
the day showed that the response OF the
President had created most favorable
impression in foreign quarters. The
Presidents answer was looked upon 10
some extent as u counter appeal TO the
great powers for their cooperation III
the cause Of humanity against the intoi-
erable condition of affairs IN Cuba. IN
some diplomatic quarters there was DIS
position to read between the lines ana
TO give it suggestive character beyond
the mild phrases adopted. This was not
the generally accepted view, however.
The favorable manner of it's reception was
looked upon as wise move at this crltl-
cal juncture, for, without rejecting as
an intrusion these foreign suggestions
they were so received as to give the great
er promise of sympathy rather than the
opposition from the most powerful joint
influence in the world.
At the Capitol the situation was ar
IDENTIFY discussed among individuals and
came.up in public debate in both houses.
Senator Morgan of Alabama in discuss
ing an amendment to the sundry civil
appropriation bill, said he was ready to
vote for declaration of war.
In the House significant declaration
was that of Gen. Grosvenor, who declared
he believed war was inevitable. In fact
the speech by Gen. Grosvenor in answer
to charges against the administration
by Mr. Lentz of Ohio, was an important
contri ibution to the news of the day.
The Importance OF Gen. Lees kilograms
was considered by members not to have
been oyer-est;mated, and the impression
th, f. tha President was aynnlv iIlStiIi5Q In