Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-09
NOT A RIPPLE
CONTINUED from page ~

Powers have played their last card and
Spain shows no sign of yielding. the
faintest hope, today, that the Queer
Regent might Yet he able to discover a
way by which American demands could
be acceded to without imperilling the
Spanish throne, has been dispeled
Whatever expectations others MAY have
had that anything effective could have
been accomplished by Queen Christina,
the administration has never for a mo-
ment been lured into relying on anything
which she might do Her position is one
of little political influence. She is soyer-
eign only in name, and there is no other
ruler of the Old World who is 50 truly a
puppet in affairs of state as she. The
only solution which it has ever been sug-
Sested might be brought about by her is
through an armstice, and the mere sug-
gestion of such thing shows how com
pletely European observers have mis-
conceived the position of the United
States.
So fully is it accepted now that war is
to result, that the calm of expectancy
has settled down upon Washington in
striking contrast to the feverish unccr-
tainty which has hitherto prevailed. The
meeting of the cabinet. today. for the
first time in weeks. was devoted to some
thing else than consideration of diplo-
matte moves TO bring about 4 peaceful
settlement with Spain. 1t was devoted to
a review of the military and naval
strength of the United States and to the
presentation of reports regarding the
preparations for war. the governments Of
troops, plans Of campaign and other mat
tiers preliminary TO the actual beginning
of hostilitits
To all iutruts and purp0s :. Spain and
the United States are at this moment in
a state Of war. Diplomatic negotiations
have been suspended Fleets and armies
are prepared to move at an hours notice.
Nothing remains but the formal declara-
ton by one country or the other,
and that declaration will be forthcoming
before the close of another week. Specll-
lation is now convinced with the manner
in which armed intervention shah be
carried into effect The resolutions which
Il
the government of the United States,
"Iiereby does demand" that Spain shall
at once withdraw her land and naval
forces from cuba. and cuban waters.
There is no provision here for final re-
presentation or for ultimatum. 1t has
been suggested that after the adoption of
the resolutions, the President should con-
vey to Spain the information as to the
action of Congress. and then await her
response. perhaps for IS hours. But this
is not at all necessary. Indeed it may be
Impossible for by that time we may have
no minister at Madrid as a medium for
carrying On a correspondence even Of It
peremptuIy nature All that is neces-
sary is for the President, Immediately
upon signing the resolutions is to senl
a feet to Havana and there serve notice
upon the government Of the Spanish
forces TO leave the island. There are
those who believe that this formal act is
all that Will be necessary. and that Spain
will never invite the opening up OF an
American gun.
Indeed il known that the Spanish policy
will be one of non-aggressiOn and that in
any event she plans to await until the
United States shall have lred the first
shot. 1t is believed by some that she will
go even farther than this and withdraw
her troops and her navy from Havana
on the mere threat Of force. 4 blo0dless
victory would result without Il naval en-
gagement or the burning of a charge Of
powder.
nj rel h
looked for 1t is believed in naval circles,
that Capt. Blanco will prepare at once
to defend his position ana that the United
States troops will have to occupy the
island, while Havana is blockaded by the
fleet. What will follow then is open to
conjecture. There is d whole world Of
possibilities following upom the firing Of
the first snot. 1t may cHtH he that this
would be the beginning Of war in which
all the na+iCTs of Turone wguld sooner or
later become smhro LED.
Consul General Lee will ave Havana.
tomorrcv-. and ne III cable, to the de
partmtrt ,hAt all Americans who wish
to leave before the hostiNtica begin will
be on their Wa 10 Key " est before to-
morrow night. The shows that every
thing is progressing satisfactorily SO fan
as Havana is concerned and the me:ssa e
can safely come in, Monday, without
risking any American lives on Spanish
soil.
The foreign affairs committee of tn,
House has not Vet formulated the reso
luti0nS which will be introduced in re
Spouse to the President message. Tn,
understanding is that they will act il
harmony with the foreign relations com
mttce of the Senate. There are man!
Republicans who favor recognition .
the Cuban republic and who are not in
clned to abandon their position. But
proposition ha, been made to comrromis
with a recognition of hvlligeIeno Y.
It's would satisfy the Insurgents am
would do away with the possibility g
confusing the insurgents "n The islam
with Spanish suhjection. 1t would be
mere recognition of the men who hay
been carrying ON the war Cor indeprll
dence. and it would not open to the OF
lection which the adm. nistration will ad
vance to the recognition of l.4c republic
This compromise is gaining ground. an
1t is quite likely To % through
The adjournment OF Congress uni
Monday has helped to heal the divis.o