New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-28
DAY. MARCH 2S. 1898. TWELVE PAG
SPAIN WANTS AN ARMISTICE.
SIGNS OF YIELDING TO THE WISHES
OF THE UNITED STATES

OF THE UNITED STATES.
TIE OUTLOOK FOR \ PEACEFUL. SETTLEMENT
OF THE CUBAN QUESTION CONSIDERED
MORE FAVORABLE - PRESIDENT
MKINIEY's DIFFERENTIATION
TO END THE WAR
UNsHAKEN
Washington. March oI.--The developments of
the day in the Cuban situation showed steady
progress In the negotiations between the Gov
crnment of this country and that OF Spain look
Ing 10 the maintenance ~ peace. NJ least for
the present. There Is good authority for saying
that Spans present wish Is 10 secure cessa-
tion Of hostilltles IN Cuba. rather than - en-
gage in war with the United States, and It IS
more than probable that the negotiations be-
tween the Government Of the United States and
The Sagasta Ministry will take that turn in the
Immediate future. The Spanish Ministry has
profcssed a pacific disposition from the begin
ming. and the Indications are strong now that
It Will avail itself Of the good offices OF the
United States to the fullest extent that public
opinion IN Spain will allow in bringing hostlli-
ties In Cuba to end.
assisting Spain in her present design of secur-
ing armstce s not yet determined but the
conservative elements in Washington consider
the manifestation OF this desire the part OF
Spain for even temporary peace a direct re-
suit OF President McKinley's Diplomacy. and
they naturally disposed to contend that tho
President should be left free to pursue policy
which promises much in the way Of preventing
war between this country and Spain and also
Of bringing to close the host.iities in Cuba
Hence there will be effort on the part OF the
peacefully inclined in Congress to continue TO
hold that body in check and to prevent inham-
matory utterances until this promising diplo-
matte lead may be exploited
PRACTICAL FREEDOM FOR CUBA.
On the part Of the Administra ton 1t is said
that the development, OF the situation will not
require a great length OF time. policy has
been fully determined upon by the President.
1t is TO bring the Cuban war to a close This
will be accomplished by forcbe Intervention II
necessary but II is considered far preferable
that the end should come the result Of peace
full negotiations. Hence the disposition Of the
President is To give Spain fair opportunity TO
an armistice and to allow her reason
able time in which TO come to an understanding
with the insurgents
1t can be said on high authority that there
has been no change in the Presidents intention
TO that the war is terminated on terms that
will maxi the Cubans practically free people.
1t is not believed that they would accept any
thing less. nor that the Americans would be
satisfied II 4 settlement unacceptable to the
Cubans should be encouraged. II there should
now he an armlstice. II would be with the con-
cession made hy Spain at the instance Of this
country that neGotis ions should be opened i'm
mediately with the insurgents looking 10 the os-
tablishment Of a permanent peace on these
terms. II has long been the hope Of the Ad-
mnistraton TO bring pain TO the point Of max
ing proposifion1 of this character the basis
4 a settlement most satisfactory TO all parties,
nd IT is hoped from spaln's attitude that this
me has arrived.
The friends Of tho Administration feel tha:
tie situation Is critical. and that much Will de-
pend on the course Congress may pursue. In
The mean time the President Will on Wednesday
seld in his Message asking that an appropra-
(, be made for relief Of the destitute Cubans.
h. CONFERENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The President saw a number Of the members
II Il o Cabinet at the White House to-day. They
drol loed In one by one until those present In
Guided Secretaries Bliss. Alger and Gage, and
Attorney General Griggs. With them also was
Assistant Secretary Day, who presumably had
some dispatches to show to the President The
Gathering was not a special Cabinet meeting.
but was simply a talk between the President
ard his advisers such as occurred last Sunday
concerning matters which he desired 10 con-
suit them. The Cuban question and the report
Of the Maine Court Of Inquiry were discussed.
but so far as could be ascertained nothing con-
q members o
the Cabinet saying later that there was nothing
new or startling in the situation.
The presence OF Judge Day would seem to
show that there We're advices from Minister
Woodford but further than an acknowledge
ment that communications were In progress be
tween the state Department ana the Minister
nothing could bc ascertained.
ACTIVITY AT THE DEPARTMENTS.
At the State. War and Navy departments in
the earlier portion of the day there was little
semblance OF sunday Chiefs of bureaus, clerks.
messengers and telegraph operators were at
work Proba " never since the days OF the
Civil War ha so many officials gathered at the
War and Ma, departments on a sunday. DIS
matches that anne over night regarding the
movements OF hips and other matters were re-
ceive1 and as nany of them required prompt
answers replie were forwarded.
Secretary Lo . however. did not appear al
the Navy Dcpa nent, as most of the matters
rcouirlnr attent D. could as well be attended to
llv Bureau Office and their assistants. Mrs
Long has been q FOR some time. ard the sec
rotary in part sh off official cares and spent
the greater portion ~ the day with her In 'he
afternoon. in company with Miss Long the
Secretary drove 10 tho Washington Navy 1ard
and inspected the dynamite cruiser \esu''uS'
which IS having her guns adjusted ana re-
paired The vessel has been at the yard ABOUT
week. and great crowds have been there TO
see nor.
Assistant Secretary Day spent portion OF
the day ut tho state Department and there re-
ceiycd call from tie Spanish Minister
rathor ususual prococling indicating Important