The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-09

do not believe II can be successfully con-
troverted. Furthermore. think in that
event we would be liable for the pay
ment OF interest on the Spanish bond
which is secured by the Cuban revenues
A greater weight with me than all these
considerations is the conviction that II
we interfere In the conflict between
Spain and the Cubans without recogniz-
ing the present government in the island
we shall witness the spectacle of the
Cubans being compelled to make terms
with the bondholders for their recogni-
tion after all the sacrifice they shall have
made and we shall have made for them.
|. This is the thing that is most repulsive
TO me in the proposition to deny the pres
ent Cuban government its just dues.
do not want TO see the Cubans enter
dicker to secure their rights after the
Spaniards shall have been driven out"
The movement to consider the whole
Cuban question In executive session 10
gaining ground. TWO senators who
have looked up the prscedents find that
the only parallel case to the present
was when war was declared against
Great Britain in 1912. when the declara-
tion was considered in secret session.
The steering committee appointed at
the conference of the house Republicans
to canvass the situation to see how many
Republicans would stand by them IL the
occasion arose for independent action
held another meeting yesterday after
noon. From the reports presented 1t
was claimed that more than 100 Repub-
licans will act with them. The main
question before the committee was a. to
whether II should stand for indepen-
dence and Intervention, or for interven-
tion without independence. The feel
ing In the committee has been strong In
favor OF the recognition OF the Cuban
republic. but the members do not deAre
TO break with the administration OK
cept at the last resort. Meantime some
OF them are much exercised over the
legal phases OF the effect Of Intervention
without independence fear was ex-
pressed that Intervention might bind the
United States for the $500. 900. 900 OF Span
kh-Cuban bonds issued against the
revenues OF the island. Mr.. Tawney OF
Minnesota stated that some writer's on
international law maintained in case of
requirement Of territory by conquest all
the obligations OF that particular ter
ritory are assumed. and It was argued
that IL the United States intervened with
the ultimate intention OF turning over
the island to the Cubans this nation
would practically have acquired the ISL
and by conquest and then made a gift.
OF X to the Cubans. In this View OF the
case the country might be held liable for
the bonds. The sentiment Of the COM
mittee IL against the United States as
suming such liability. The interna-
tional authorities will be looked up and
an attempt made to ascertain exactly in
what way the bonds are alien on the Gu
ban revenues.
The cabinet held its usual Friday ses-
sion. but It's meeting brought no change
In the matter OF the Spanish situation.
Indeed IL was chiefly significant in es-
tablishing the fact that no change had
occurred, that none was expected and
that the program OF action on the part
OF tho United States government was
already made up. The presidents mes
sage remains unaltered. and this being
the last cabinet day before the message
will go to congress, alterations are un-
likely between now and Monday, bar
ring unexpected developments from
Madrid. The calmness Of the cabinet
meeting. which was one OF the most
eventful held In recent days. was another
evidence Of the feeling entertained by
the administration that the case is made
up and that nothing remains to be done
but to present the subject TO congress
and await the final outcome there.
The feeling that an end had come to
diplomatic talk and that action nJone
remained was shared In all quarters,
including the foreign embassies and le-
cations, where the ambassadors and
ministers expressed the feeling that
oil had been done In Washington that
could or would be done In the cause of
peace. What In going on at Madrid
gives slight hope OF such concessions
there as will alter the present situation.
There are no negotiations. in the sense
oH&xchanges. on pending propositions.
Boh parties have apparently said their
last word concerning the respective prop
ositions. Certainly this Is true as TO the
United States, and there was no evidence
yesterday that the Spanish government
would recede. 1t Is even doubtful
whether a concession OF an armstice
by Spain would be sufficient at this late
moment to turn the situation into peace
ful channels.
The Spanish minister has received no
instructions as TO his departure, nor has
he made preparations to 60. although
his establishment Is In such condition
that he could leave within a few hours
after receiving orders from his govern
ment 10 depart AS an evidence OF the
complete cessation OF negotiations Il
can be cited that Friday closed the
seventh consecutive day since the Span
ish minister called at the state depart
ment. War and naval preparations are
proceeding systematically. but the
larger details OF preparations have been
shaped. and there is little more TO do
than TO see these regularly executed.
While there are many naval movements.
there has not yet been q decisive order
affecting the movements OF the fleets.
All Is in n state of expectancy In this
regard. -
One OF the best informed diplomatists
terseiy summed up the situation yester-
day thus: Spain has placed her back
against the wall. determined TO yield no