The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-03-31

WAsmNuruN. March 80 The vita
point iu 1.-THE Cuban situation, viz; IN
dependence. has smt,i itself from
Washington To Madrid, vhcfr the Span
ish government is now giving grave uu,
earncs, consideration to the potpo.ilioui
presented by the government OF tb,
United States On the answer 10 the-,
proposition. depends the future cUun,
Of the relations between lhc United
States aud Spain II u believed that il
is now hu, a question ot an exceedingly
short time before the inevitable crisl,
must come The Spanish ministry will
hold - cabinet council tomorrow after
uoon Propositions have been submitted
~ the Queen Regent, and as result oI
that conference 1t is expected by the
administration that definite answer tc
It's proposals Will be- received
The propositions submitted 10y this
country contemplate the complete and
immediate cessation Of hosiilitics in
Cuba, the return Of the reconcentrudoe,
10 their usual avochiions aud the inde'
pcndonre Of Cuha, this last feature TO be
secured probably on nn indemnity basis
by which the Island would pay a sub
StRniial sum for iis freedom from Span
ish rule, These propositions take wide
sphere and there are many details and
alternative propositions, the purpose
being TO present every possible plan
promising solution OF the Cnban prob
lem 10 long as the end Of the Cnban war
and Cuban independence were embodied
In the ultimate result.
II has been made perfectly clear to
Spain that nothing lees than the close Of
the war and the independence Of the Isl.
and will suffice as an adequate settle
mcut, Such lesser methods as have
been contemplated from time TO time
are now put inside for these more ad-
vanced aud positive positions. It is now
for Spain 10 accep, or reject these ten.
des, There is no disposition TO urge
one more than another, so long as the
finally reached brings the termination Of
the war and Cuban independence.
Never before now has the Spanish gov.
ernment entertained such propositions,
In the stress Of the present emergency,
with declarations Of war introduced in
the American congress, Spain has con.
sented to consider them. THIS in itself
has given a lively hope OF satisfactory
results, But it involves grave crisis in
Spain and it cannot be ioretold what the
final action at Madrid will be-.
Until today il was believed that Spain
would Indignantly reject the proposition
involving the independence of Cuba, or
American intervention, or the disap-
pearance OF the Spanish flag from the
island, either through purchase by the
Cubans or otherwise. There was the
best OF reasan for official belief that as
between peace and war on those propo-
sitions, Spain would choose war, but
more hope, apparently, is entertained
here Of Spain being in n yielding mood,
is the American plans for solution are
being carefully weighed with u view to a
general decision. AS stated, that an.
swer lie believed to be only question Of
perhaps two or three days. When II is
received the future course OF this gov.
will be determined,
II is the view OF the administration
that the present week will shape the
policy Of the future, whether 1t Is to be
one OF peace or one OF war. Naturally
This critical juncture has occasloned the
greatest interest here, coupled with no
little excitement as the word was passed
about that the last stage in the negotia-
tons with Spain was developed. Many
representative men Of congress, senators
and representatives, called at the White
House and conferred with the president,
To the leaders in congress he stated that
definite results were expected from Mad
rid by Friday. This served to allay the
intense feeling which had been mani
tested in congress, and through the in
tluence Of the leaders further radical ac-
ton by the senate and house was for the
time being deferred.
AT the capitol the excitement was I'm.
abated. The meeting Of the senate com.
mittee on foreign relations raised great
deal OF interest because of the many
warlike resolutions introduced yesterday
and referred to that committee.
On the house side there was nm in