The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-08

longer any doubt as to the purposes of
this government with respect to the sit
uation in Cuba. War. in the opinion
of the administration, is inevitable. ex-
cept i'm the unlocked for event of a sur
render on the part of Spain. The pres
ident's message which he had intended
to send to congress yesterday has not
been changed in any particular what
ever and embodies the unanimous views
of the cabinet without the slightest
variance or exception. Any movement
to avert war now must come from
Madrid, and must -concede American
demands, including an end to SpaiR's
dominion i'm Cuba.
The features stand out plainly in the
developments or to-day. 8t NOON -tfre''
six great powers of Europe, through
their representatives here. called at the
white house and presented to President
Mckinley a joint note expressing urg-
ent hope for a peaceful adjustment be-
tween the United States and Spain, to
which the president replied with un-
mistakable plainness as to the duties
and unselfish efforts of this government
to terminate the present situation in
Cuba. Another and probably the most
finality reached by the United States
government, was the authoritative
statement that Consul General Lee
would leave Havana on Saturday. This
step ii is known will be regarded by
Spain as akin to an overt act preceding
war; jas it will terminate the medium of
official intercourse between the United
States and the island. Third and al
most equally important was the omin-
Gus tone of press advices from Madrid,
where the war Feeling seems to domi-
nate. Instead of concessions, the OPEN
ing of prison doors and other manifes-
tations of peace and good will which
holy Thursday was expected to bring
forth and the more definite announce
ment of action that would bring peace
to Cuba, the heavy guard about Minis
ter Woodford's house, the imperative
character of his note, the war utter
ance of Minister Correo and the turbu-
lence at the Spanish capital, left little
hope that pacific counsels would pre-
vail.
No negotiations are proceeding at
Madrid on the part of this government.
but the powers of Europe IL is under
stood are doing their utmost to per-
suade the Spanish government to yield
and avert war. On the highest au-
thority it can be stated that no instruc-
tions have been given as yet to Min
lSltf w Ills N1tn-
drawal, the only step in that direction
being the determination that General
Lee shall leave Havana on Saturday.
The note of the European powers.
presented to the president to-day, has
not. in the opinion of the members of
the administration, changed the stu.
alton in the slightest degree. What
pressure was brought to secure even
this mildly expressed hope that further
negotiations would result In the main
tenance of peace is not known. but it is
believed that IL is the re-
suit of persistent appeals on the part
of Spain for some expression in favor
of peace between the two countries.
The note is not regarded in any sense
as a protest against the course which
this government has pursued thus far
or is likely to adopt to secure a stable
government in Cuba. Some of the gov
erEments represented in the note are
known to be in full accord with this
governments purpose with respect to
the Cuban question. and therefore any
theory that the note was intended as a
remonstrance is not regarded as ten
able.
The reply of this government, which
had previously been read and approved
by members of the cabinet. Is not con-
sidered as indicating any change in the
fixed purpose of the president to in
ttTNent III 'ubd at oict, nor Is III De-
lieved IL was the expectation of the
majority of the foreign representatives
present that the United States should
change its policy or regard the joint
note as other than an expression in be-
half of peace and without special Sig
nificance. So far as known in admin
istration circles no further representa-
tions on this subject are expected. No
offers of mediation on the part of any
European power has been received. and
there is some authority for the state
ment that none will be accepted or
proffered. This has been the fixed pol
icy of the government from the first.
and there is no prospect Of a change in
this regard.
of the joint note of the
powers was regarded as the event of
the day. An ambassador from one of
the great powers Of continental Europe