The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-04-08
president Is LOSING HOPE
Opinion Growing that Difficulties
Cannot Be Settled Without
Resort TO Arms.
CONGRESS WILL WAIT TILL MONDAY
The President Preparing a Message
to be Submitted TO the Two
Houses o. that Day.

WASHINGTON, April 2.-There is
little doubt that the president and the
members of his cabinet now regard a
conflict with Spain as almost ineVita-
BILE.
In his message to congress, which il
all probability will be sent in next
Monday, and certainly early next week,
it is understood the president will re-
view at some length the record as it
stands between this government and
Spain, but will not insist upon further
time in which to continue negotiations
in which to reach a peaceful solution
of the Cuban question.
The cabinet meeting his afternoon
was unq~uestionably the most import
ant held in years. 1t received SpairS
answer to the ultimatum of this gov
eminent, and finding it unsatisfactory
practically decided upon a policy which
at this hour seems certain TO involve
hostilities.
The whole record will be laid before
congress and the question is now under
earnest consideration as to what shall
be the particular form u policy shall
take in bringing to an end he horrors
in Cuba and securing the independence
of the island.
Propositions ranging from a simple
recognition of Cuban independence to
a straightforward declaration Of war
have been urged at the capitol, but
there is hardly a doubt that the ma
iority of congress awaits the executive
lead before taking action, and is dis
posed to accept President McKinleEs
suggestions on this point. 1t is hougn
that any of the resolutions, except pos
sibly simple recognition OF lndepeh-
| dence, would lead to war.
There were, of course. al! sorts or
rumors in circulation, including re-
| ports of mediation by some european
| powers, but no such suggestion has
| come to this government, for as late
as 5 o'clock, in response TO a dlfect
question, Assistant Secretary Day said
there has been no offer OF medlatlSh
| by any foreign government.
One member of the cabinet, IN speak
| ing of the meeting today, SPOKE SUP
stantiallv as follows:
In the morning it was apparent 10
| all of us that. having exhausted all
diDlomatic efforts to bring ABOUT a
| better condition of affairs in Cuca
| and thew have failed. the whole dues-
ton must be submitted to congress.
! At our afternoon meeting the pres
ident requested each member Ct the
| cabinet to express freely his indlV1d-
| ual opinion as to what should be dona.
The discussion was entirely on the
lines indicated ~ the rle-D rs Nct--
ing definite was decided u1ol and 10
| conclusion reached. The President
will now take the views submitted to
him under consideration preparatory
to his message to congress-, which Will
be sent early next week.
President Mckinley has done a
great deal OF work recently and ap-
pears pretty well fatigued. CCn:e-
uuently he will take SOME little rest
before beginning active work on the
message. Ee has net yet determined
upon what recommendation will be
communicated TO congress.
Ny own individual opinion is that
but little faith a be put in D-om-
Uses made by Spain and this makes
me hesitate about accepting with ary
confidence its latest proposals.
In The first place. it promised a long
tne ago that the Ie~conceltr?d-s
would be released. The result shows
that this promise has not been kept.
Now it proposes &c ~reieass ten, bat
sion. Who can tell whether It will
adhere to this EXPRESSED intention.
Broadly, there appears TO be three
D-1--1 D--,, - IL -. "
Ing further with this matter. The
first OF these is to accept the proposals
submitted by Spain IN reply TO the
American representations; the second
to relocate the whole matter to cen
gress and let that body 90 as it seems
proper. which [ think would mean in
~teTVentiOn, ard thirdly to take q mid
die stand.
But, as / said before. nothing has
Yet been determined upon by the pres
ident, or if ne has reached a decision
he did not communicate it TO the
memberss OF the cabinet this after
noon.
Yes. reference was made by Spain
to the Maine matter in the reply it
sent through Minister WCodford. 1t
made no offer to pay for the loss. but
suggested tbat the matter be settlaG
by arbitration. So far as [ recall it
expressed no regret for the sad oc-
currence and the whole thing was re-
Sarded as 4 cOld-blooded statement.
The second session Of the cabinet
lasted from D O'Clock until $50.
The Spanish minister called at the
State department at 80 o'clock and
was in conference with Judge Day for
some time. ALTHOUGH there was the
strictest reserve as to what had oc-
Cured. it can be stated positively tdat
the United States submitted no fur
theT propositions. nor did the Spanish
minister offer anything which chang
ed the situation CT affairs.
Both sides regard the issue as made
up with no likelihood OF further neg
tiatiCr9 between nov and the time
when the president will submit the
whO.a case to congress. The United
Sta s has presented its demand ard
Spain has given its answer. Thus
the case ends.
While this brings 2 halt to the ar-
tive negotiations which have been in
fer the IasI few DAVIS it d0cs