The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-30

basis of indemnity that would be re-
garded as just in amount by the United
States and other nations of the world
and fair to both contending parties.
No Armistice.
The question Of an armistice has not
been agreed to by either this country
or Spain, though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armistice. What
terms Of peace will be acceptable to
the president cannot be stated, but it is
asserted that no proposition will be
considered that does not involve the
practical, if not the actual independ-
ence Of the Cubans. Under these cir
cumStances the members Of the ad-
ministration think it only fair to the
president that the people should await
with patience the result Of the pending
negotiations, since there is no more
loyal American than the president. or
one who will hesitate less than he when
the hour for action has arrived.
There is little doubt that the French
government is ready to tender its good
offices as mediator between the United
States and Spain, if any intination is
conveyed by this country that such Of
fees would be acceptable. Without
such intimation it is doubtful whether
France will take the initiative.
In diplomatic circles it is pointed out
that the interests of France, both ma
terial and sentimental, favor an avoid
ance Of war. One material reason Is
that France is preparing for the inter-
national exposition, when the worlds
tide Of traffic will be turned toward the
French capital. 1t is said that war at
such a time would be seriously preju-
dicial to this great project.
Another material interest affecting
France is that her citizens own many
Spanish securities, so that any decline
resulting from war would fall largely
on French capitalists. While these are
important considerations urging
France to avert hostilities, yet they
are not, Of course, such as could be
advanced as the actual grounds for
a tender Of good offices. Such move
would be promised solely on senti-
mental grounds, namely, on the friend
ship Of France for both parties en-
gagged in this controversy.
Bernabe Calls.
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo v
Bernabe, called at the state department
shortly before noon, and was with
Judge Day over half an hour The
meeting was by appointment, one Of
Judge Days clerks having been sent
to the minister to ask him to come to
the department at the earliest moment.
Pending his arrival, Judge Day went
to the navy department, and had
talk with Assistant Secretary Roose-
velt, and, soon thereafter, Mr.. Roose-
velt returned the visit, and had talk
with Judge Day in the latter's office.
These hurried conferences attracted
much attention.
The reports of riots at Havana led
to the belief that a movement was on
foot to have American ships sent to the
Cuban capital as measure of protec-
ton to American interests
Owing to the disquietings: reports
about trouble at Havana, Judge Day
prepared the following statement which
was posted in the chief clerks office of
the state department:
'"Telegrams from Consul General Lee
show no occasion for the alarming re-
port as to the situation in Havana"
This was the only reference Judge
Day would make to the many different
stories as to agitation at Havana. and
danger to American citizens there and
the alleged threats against Gen. Lees
life.
The assistant secretary conveyed the
strong impression that these reports of
disturbance were not correct, although
he confined his official utterance to the
brief statement above given From an
authoritative source, also, it was learn
ed that it was not probable that Amer