The record-union., 1898-04-11
Arbitration Offered on the Maine
Affair.
The Queen Calls Attention to the Sympathy
Spain Expressed and the Honor of the
SpaniardS Will Grant Cuba as
Much Liberty as Canada.

] w N<acI114N6 IOAN, April 1U.-AL Jnd
close of the second Cabinet meeting to-
night it was announced that the Presi-
dents message would undoubtedly go to
Congress tomorrow. On the best au-
thCrity, it was stated that the meeting
was devoted wholly to the consideration
of the messages addition, necessitated
by the receipt of the latest note from
Spain advising this Government of the
declaration of an unconditional armi-
stice. The suffiX to the Presidents
message merely recited this latest de-
velopment of the Spanish situation, CIV
ing the substance of the Spanish note
and recommending it to the earnest
attention of Congress- Otherwise the
message stands unchanged
After the meeting one member of the
Cabinet said that the Spanish note had
not altered either the message or the
situation.
1T is merely" said he, what Spain
has been asking for all along-more
time. 1t does not touch the situation,
and the Presidents message is left
precisely as it was. merely stating the
fact of this latest development"
Another member of the Cabinet said
after the meeting:
Our meeting tonight was for the
final reading of the message which will
be sent to Congress tomorrow 1t is
a strong state paper and will contain
a review of the conditions existing in
/ Cuba for years past. There is no change
! in the tone Of the message differing from
that contained in the newspapers. The
! President will ask that he be given
authority to use the army and the navy
to bring about peace in the Island of
Cuba and to insure there a stable gov
ernment. An argument is made against
the recognition of the independence of
the insurgents for the reason there is
! lacking the essential features of an in
! dependent people. There is a quotation
/ from one of the former Presidents who
argued against the recognition of the
Texans when in rebellion against the
Mexican Government, and from the
opinions expressed by President C1eve-
| land and Secretary Clney during the
| last Administration in opposition to a
! recognition of independence.
There was but one addition made to
/ the message and that was in relation to
the dispatch presented to the State De-
partment by Minister Bernabe and con-
/ tanning the information that the Queen
Regent had granted authority to Gen.
eral Blanco to issue an armistice. the
terms and conditions of which would be
| left to his Judgment. This was the first
communication that the State Depart
| ment has had with the Spanish Min
! lister since week from last Friday So
1 far as | am aware there had been no
suggestions made to the insurgents by
/ this Government with a view of their
considering the proposition of an armi-
stice authorized by the Spanish Cow
eminent. This Government has never
had anything to do with the gentlemen
composing the Cuban Junta in New
York. I do not think the armistice idea
will have the least effect on any action
that may be contemplated in Con-
gIess.''
1t is said some members of the Cab-
net recommended further delay. simply
to observe the practical effect of the
armistice. but they We're outvoted by
the majority. who thought the Presi-
dent had waited long enough.
WASHINGTON, April 1O-The Pres
idents message on Cuba will go to Con-
gress Tomorrow at noon Whether it
viii make a recommendation on the sit
uation as presented by Spains last note
and if so, what form this recommended
ton viii take, is a matter upon which
war or peace may rest.
If the President should take the posi-
ton that Spains armstice comes too
late, or that it does not meet the re-
quirements of the nation, Congress
probably would act with a belligerent
resolution, calling on the President to
use the army and navy Of the United
States to bring an end to the condition
of affairs in Cuba, which he declared
to the six ambassadors of the Powers,
who called upon him Thursday, as be-
ing .'insufferable." Should the mes
sage take the ground that Spain's en-
deavors seem tending in the proper di-
rection and that justice should permit
her opportunity of trial of her stated
desire to end the insurrection, or should
the President simply refer the whole
subject to Congress without recommen-
dation a condition would arise of which
no one tonight could positively see the
outcome So few Congressman knew
the exact status of affairs that no pre-
diction could be made as to what ac-
tion Congress would take.
Easter Sunday brought little rest to
those who are dealing with the Span
ish situation. With the Presidents
message ready to so to Congress to-
morrow, Spain's grant of armistice had
brought about a new condition which
compelled the President and his advis-
ers to meet and consider how far the
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