The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-13
PROSPECT OF WAR NOT 50 CERTAIN.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS. /
dent Presents to Congress in His
Cuban Message.

Although II was expected that the
present week would open with decisive
action on the part of this government
toward Spain, Indications now are that
there win be another delay.
Spain has apparently yielded to the
European Powers, and granted an
armlstice to the Cuban insurgents.
Should the Cubans recognize this ces-
sation of hostilities, then the United
States must keep hand off Cuba In or
der to observe the neutrality laws. 1t
Is not likely, though. that the Cubans
will yield, and the original plans of the
government will not be altered.
After n cabinet meeting Sunday
night, one OF the members said;
"Our meeting tonight was for the
final reading of the message which will
be sent to congress. 1t Is a strong state
paper and will contain n review OF the
conditions existing In Cuba for years
past. The president will ask that he
be given authority to use the army and
navy to bring about peace In the island
of Cuba, and to insure there stable
government. An argument is made
against the recognition of indepen-
dence of the insurgents for the reason
that there is lacking the essential feat
ures of an Independent people. There Is
a quotation from one of the former
p
recognition of the Texans when in re-
bellion against the Mexican movement.
and from the opinions expressed by
President Cleveland and Secretary
Olney during the last administration In
opposition to recognition of indie
pendence.
There was but one addition made to
the message, and that was In relation
to the dispatch presented to the state
10, ,t,,,, ht- 10
nabe and containing the information
that the queen regent had granted au-
thority to Capt.-Gen. Blanco to issue
an armistice, the terms and conditions
OF which would be left to his judgment.
This was the first communication the
state department has had with the
Spanish minister since q week from
last Friday. So far as I am aware there
has been no suggestion made to the in
surgents by this government with a
view to their considering the PROPOSE
tion for an armistice authorized by the
Spanish government. This government
has never had anything to do with the
gentlemen composing the Cuban junta
In New York. I do not think the ar
mistice idea will have the least effect
on any action that may be contemplat-
ed in congress"
The Spanish government, through
Polo de Barnabe, Monday, delivered an
important official document to the state
department stating that the ar
mistice which the queen regent
of Spain had commanded Gen. Blanco
to proclaim was without conditions,
that her majesty's government had
granted liberal institutions to the
island of Cuba which the coming
Cuban parliament would develop, re-
calling the coincidence and sympathy
expressed by the queen regent and her
government on the disaster of the
Maine and the horror this disaster had
occasioned, and appealing to the cour.
teky and sense of Justice of the United
States government to enllghten public
opinion upon the attitude OF Spain. The
note also reports an offer OF the Span
ish government to subject the Maine
question to experts designated by the
maritime powers Of the world.