The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-19
President Mckinley Wishes to
Give Spain
Plenty of Time to Make Up Her
Mind
WHETHER SHE WILL
Yield to the UItimatum to Be
Sent Her.
At the Cabinet Meeting Today,
Early Action
WAS FAVORED BY ALL
WAS FAVORED BY ALL
But President Mckinley Wants
Further Delay.
Says Our Sea and Land Forces
Are Not Ready.

Washington, April 19.-Although no
definite conclusion has been reached as
to the time which Shall be given Spain
within which to reply to our ultimatum,
favors giving at least two or three
days time, for the reason that it will
require that length of time to put our
army and navy in. position to take pos
session Immediately of one of the Cuban
ports, it being the Administrations pur-
pose that this move shall follow prompt
Iy on Spain's refusal
Speaker Reed signed the Cuban res
oIutions at 1906
At 1:06 p. m. the Cuban resolutions
were returned to the house with the
vice presidents signature, and at lis p.
m, they left for the White House
After the cabinet meeting today the
president went out walking with Secre-
tary Bliss.
AT 1890 an adjournment was taken by
the cabinet until $3.50, after a decision
was reached to prepare an ultimatum
to Spain, the ultimatum and the Cuban
resolutions to be signed simultaneously.
Although the official copy of the joint
resolution was not before the meeting,
the copy, as it appeared in the Congress
siOnal Record, was read and discussed.
There was difference of opinion as to
the length of time that should be given
TO the Spaniards within which to reply
to our peremptory demands for an
evacuation of the island of Cuba. One
or two of the members thought twenty
four hours would be sufficient, while a
number of others suggested 4S hours.
The president, however, was of the
opinion that we were not in a position
to force our demands even at the end
of 4S hours, and, in view of that fact,
he thought at least three days would
not be too long a time to permit Spain
to have for decision. 1t was not with
a view to giving Spain any particular
consideration that he favored a longer
time, but, in his opinion, it would take
that time to put our army and naval
forces in position to strike a decisive
blow
The question, however, was left open
for further consideration at this after
Moons session. The complex wording
of the resolution it is said, will make a
matter of some difficulty to frame an
ultimatum to cover the points of the
III a Se1AASAdClOTy H1dHu0T ana
it may be late tonight before docu-
ment can be decided upon
1t is understood that the resolution
will not be signed whenever received
until the ultimatum is also ready for
signature, the purpose being that the
two may be made one act.
AS the cortes meet tomorrow it is
probable that the ultimatum will be
sent in time to be placed before that
body its assembling. 1t is not
thought, however. that an effort will be
made to have it reach Madrid at any
particular time.
When the Cuban resolution finally
reached the White House at 80 o'clock |
with the signatures of Vice President |
Hobart and Speaker Reed attached it |
was in charge of Representative Hay
er of Iowa, who was accompanied by |
Representative Overstreet of Indiana
The resolution was taken into Secretary
Porter's Office, and thence to che pres
ident. The president did not sign the |
Dill in the presence of the bearers, as |
they hoped he would do. When inform |
ed that the house adjourned until to- |
morrow noon, Mr.. Mckinley said that |
being the case, he would not have an |
opportunity to announce his actions be- |
fore that time. The committee was not |
with the president more than three |
minutes
The cabinet meeting, it was learned |
curing the afternoon practically settled |
the question as to how many volunteers
snail be called for to supplement the |
regular army in their operations in Gu