New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-20
WORKS
Violet-O

douse by Representative Hsger, OF Iowa. chair
nan of the Committee on Enrolled Bills. and
Representative Overstree, Of Indiana. Ii was
expected that the resolution would be signed I'M
,edlate,y II reached the President. and this was
Mr. McKinley's inclination, but for certain 9ta'e
easons It was deemed advisable that the reso-
iution and the ultimatum TO Spain should he
signed simultaneously and time was Heeoeo ~
4raft the ultmatum in diplomatic form
PLAN OF OPERATIONS DISCUSSED.
The fact that the resolution was no' in'he
iiately signed gave rise TO a few dlsGueuHs
exports but II soon appeared from statements
81 Cabinet officers that the President mad ho'
the slightest intention Of withholding MS siS
,ature and that the delay in attaching IT was
.ccounted for solely by his desire TO have 'u'i
md complete plan of operations FOR his Govern
nent in the immediate future before taking the
dnal and important step or turning 'he 1"'"'
-esolution into statute.
Just what this plan shall he was the occa-
non for the two Cabinet meetings to-day The
irst session. in anticipation Of the reception or
he resolution. was devoted largely to questions
Il finance and military policy well as the
framing Of the ultimatum itself. SO far as can
De learned the important point at Issue IN re-
gard to the ul,imatum was the question or time
20 be allowed for a response on the pat OF
pain. The steady progress OF military anu
laval preparations indicated the conviction on
he part Of the Administration that a peaceful
olution Of existing difficulties is not probable
THE PROCEDURE IN MADRID.
Al to the course Of events in the immediate
future the only prediction that can be made Is
one based on presidents According to these
Minister Woodford will inform the Spanish Gov
eminent of the action of the Government OF the
United States. and. should the Spanish answer
be unsatisfactory. as is expected. the next step
in order will be for him to ask FOR MS pass
oorts and leave Madrid. That would be followed
instantly by the withdrawal from Washington
of Senior Polo. the Spanish Minister here.
The State Department officials are confident
that the Spanish Government will so shape
every phase Of the negotiations as to obhge
the United States to take the initiative at every
point. After the withdrawal OF the Minister'S
assuming that Spain does not back down, actual
war will follow, but whether or not the nrs'
overt oct will be preceded by formal deciara-
ton Of war; which would insure the immediate
naturalization Of the Powers. or whether the
North Atlantic Squadron will appear OF Havana
Is a beginning. cannot yet he predicted
CAMPAIGN MAY LAST A YEAR.
The Army and Navy experts are beginning 70
take a less hopeful view of an easy and quick
campaign than they entertained short time
ago Months are mentioned instead OF
weeks as the probable length of hcstiities' ana
one eminent naval officer. who had experience
IN the late war; processes belief that unless
outside pressure is brought to bear war may
easily drag along for year under existing con-
ditions.
Apparently the Powers have abandoned open
efforts In Washington to influence the course
Of this Government. Matters were quiet at all
Legations to-day. and no instructions were
received by any Of the Ambassadors or Min
listers in the line Of mediation.