The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02

pacific course. Hundreds of kilograms are
being sent from Washington tonight and
hundreds more will go tomorrow morning
urging upon church people, boards of trade.
other organizations, and conservatives
generally to turn loose an avalanche of pro-
test against hasty action for belligerency.
Attention is called in these inspiration
dispatches to the fact that in his reply to
has given notice that an order has already
been issued releasing the reconcentrados in
the western provinces of Cuba, and that
the Spanish government has made provision
for the return of the imprisoned Cubans to
their farms, with means to prosecute their
Iabors. The theory will be advanced that
this action of the Spanish government has
deprived this country Of its only real cause
for intervention or war, it having declared
that the United States is moved to interfere
solely on grounds of humanity and a desire
to succor the starving Cubans.
The sneering contempt for this govern
ment which is openly expressed by the
Spanish premier in concluding his note will
not be mentioned by those who are organ
izing for peace The view will be held out
that Spain's concession in releasing the re-
concentrates will afford both countries an
excuse for a dignified backdown upon a
basis which will command the approval Of
the civilized world and avoid war which
would be full of horrors and would cost
enormously in money and blood.
The leaders of the war party in Congress
have been advised of the efforts which are
to be made during the next two days to in
fiuence them to the adoption of conserva-
tive measures. They are furious, and are
saying tonight that the effort is con-
spiracy which will react upon the men who
are instigating it and overwhelmingly de-
feat the aims they are seeking to accom-
plish They are saying that Sagasta's re-
ply is merely a subtle piece of Spanish
diplomacy, and that if his apparent propo-
sitions are taken seriously the American
ish. They are saying that the reply is a
confession of guilty to every count in the
Indictment which has been brought against
Spain for it's inhumanity towards the Gu
bans and bad faith towards the United
States. They are characterizing it as plea
in confession and avoidance and are say
ing that Congress will be eternally damned
in the estimation of intelligent people If 1T
Yields to the avalanche of peace importuni-
ties which will be directed toward 1t by the
ORGANIZED agencies of peace which are being
set adrift tonight. They are making an
Industrious effort to locate the responsible
ity for this organized effort to influence
Congress for peace.
This has been day of very great excite
ment in Washington. Interest centered in
the White House. The President and his
advisers were together for three hours, and
for a part of that time had the benefit of
the counsel and advice of Senator Davis,
chairman of the committee on foreign rela-
tions. After the Cabinet had been sitting
for about an hour and a half messengers
were sent for Captain Crowninshield, chief
of the Bureau Of Navigation; Lieutenant
Barker, naval aid to Secretary Long, and
Commander Glover, chief of the Bureau Of
Naval Intelligence. These three men COM
pose a majority OF the board of strategy.
Captain Crowninshield is in reality the ex-
ecutive officer Of the Navy Department, and
Lieutenant Barker is Secretary Longs per-
sonal representative on the board. Com
mander Glover might be described as chief
of the naval service, and knows the loca-
ton of every man-of-war and torpedo boat
of every country of the world. These three
officers were before the Cabinet for three
quarters of ali hour. Their presence in the
White House had a most ominous look, and
that, together with the long duration of the
meeting, inspired numerous war bulletins to
be sent to newspapers throughout the coun-
| try.
The statement which was given out by
| Secretary Porter confirmed the war specu-
lations of the correspondent, and gave war
rant for the conclusion which was jumped
to by practically everybody: that Spain's
reply to the Presidents overtures was a
complete rejection of the terms of the
Washington government. 1t was regarded
as formal official acknowledgment by the
highest authority that negotiations had
come to an end 1t would appear. however,
that this conclusion is not entirely correct,
| and that if the peace movement organized
| tonight should assume formidable proper
tions diplomatic discussion over the problem
| may be resumed.
M'kINLEY'S ATTITUDE.
ETn V~ GuaT In, nn nat Gnf