Evening star., 1898-04-08


Cabinet officials decline to discuss the
question Of an armistice with the insurgents
They regard it as impossible. Should an
armistice be offered the insurgents between
row and Monday. as may be the case by
reason of Spanish trickery and diplomacy
the situation will not be changed so faI
as the President is concerned. All Spanish
tricks will be closely watched from now
On.
General Scho6eld, commander of the vol
unteer reserve, called at the White House
after the cabinet meeting and talked with
the President about the new organization
Preparations Steadily Going On.
The hopeful views Of peace heretofore
entertained have given away to the con-
viction that the issue between the United
States and Spain mas become practica.Iy
irreconcilable, If not absolutely SO. The
preparation for all eve Qualities is proceed
ing steadily. One significant evidence in this
direction developed today when it was
learned that the United States consul OF
Porto Pico. the sister island of Cuba, was
about to follow the course of Consul Cen
eral Lee and come home. 1t is expected
that General Lee will take the boat from
Havana tomorrow noon. Whether he Will
leave the vice consul other subordinate
temporarily in charge is not made known.
Considerable depends upon this, as his
retirement with his entire staff would
mean the closing of the American legation
at that island and the complete termina-
ton Of all official communication between
the United States and the insular govern
ment. whereas the leaving of a subordinate
in charge would at least continue SEM
blance of these official relations, and would
to some extent take away the significance
of complete official WITHDRAW wal from Cuba.
The determination to have the United
States consul at Porto Rico leave indicates
that the government Is not alone turning
its attention to Cuba, but to Spain's other
colony Of the West Indies. There is no in
surrection in Porto Rico, nor has that
island figured prominently of late. but it
seems that its future may to a large ex-
tent follow that of Cuba. The probability
that the Spanish torpedo fleet will rendez-
vcus at Porto Rico may have contributed
to the determination to withdraw the
United States corsul there.
Powers VIII Do No More.
Inquiry at the foreign embassies and le-
cations today made it plain that the action
of the great powers yesterday in presenting
the joint note to President Mckinley urging
peace constitutes all that these powers will
do. There is no present purpose to take
further action. .or to follow up this guarded
and diplomatic utterance with any further
suggestion of mediation or Intervention. 1t
was stated today by influential members Of
the diplomatic corps that the joint note
contained nothing between the lines which
indicated further negotiations. This was
the view taken by the administration yes
terday, and today this is fully borne out by
the attitude of the foreign representatives,
who are in close touch with their foreign
Offices This alleged de:erminati ton is i'm
portant at the present juncture, in that it
practically eliminates the influence of the
powers beyond a sentimental expression
toward peace. While this is the limitation
Of the action of the powers here, yet there
is no doubt these foreign influences will
continue to be strongly urged at Madrid
toward securing further concessions. The
foreign representatives seriously doubt,
however, that Spain is in position to con-
cede any more. Indeed, as one of the best
Informed diplomatists tersely explained the
situation today: Spain has apparently
placed her back against the wall, deter
mined to yield no more. Even the heroic
efforts of the queen regent toward peace,
be overruled, and the radical element is in
control"
Individual Action of the Powers,
In connection with the action of the DOW
ers. much interest is shcwn in the indi-
vidual action of the several governments
which signed the joint rcte. There is little
further doubt that the British ambassador
rejecting the views of his government
inf
the note down to a mild and polite express
SION CT desire for peace.
1t seems equally apparent that had the
influences of the French ambassador and
Austrian minister. representing their gov
ernments, prevailed, the note would have
been considerably more than a vague ex-
preston for peace. No significance is at
tached to the fact that the German ambas-
sador was the first to sign the document
and that the British amIba ssador's sigma
ture Is toward the end. 1t was determined
when the signatures were attached to take
the countries alphabetically, SO that Alle-
| rlagne, the French diplomatic word for
Germany, came first, with Austria, France,
Great Britain, Italy and Russia signing in
the order named. Russia and Italy have
| appeared to take the least interest in this
| joint action. although they join, as the re-
suit of influences brought to bear from the
foreign capitals. Neither has the German
| government shown any ardent interest in
joint action.
Minister WoOdfOrd's Note withdrawn,
1t developed today that the situation took
| serious turn late Wednesday night at
| Madrid, when Minister Woodford sent a
| note to Senior Gullon, minister of foreign
| affairs. At the time the note was received
the Spanish cabinet was in session consid-
| ering the question of armistice, which, If
| granted, would have contributed largely, IT
| is said, toward a peaceful solution. 1t is
| understood. however, that the imperative
tone Of MIR. Woodfords note had an i'm
| portant influence on the deliberations OF
| the cabinet, and may have Influenced the
| subsequent announcement that the cabinet
] would not make any further concessions
| Part of the text of Mr.. Woodford's note
has been repeated in press dispatches from
Madrid. and these give the language of re-
questing an answer before Wednesday
| night.
Although the letter was unofficial and ad-
! dressed personally to Senior Gullon there is
| reason to believe that it was construed as
Il