The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-07
INDEPENDENCE
THROUGH
ARMISTICE

sites ct Peace. Meanwhile the Insurgents
Swear by the Etsrnal that They viii Fight
the United States Before They viii Stop
Short Of Independence. A Wild Story De-
MED About the Departure Of General Lee.
He is Still at Havana Doing His Duty. House,
Senate and PopuIace Much Disappointed
Over The Sudden Turn Of affairs, and While
the President, Apparently Sustained by His
Party Leaders, Has Many Obstacles Cleared
Away, the Maine Disaster Turks in The
Mines Of the People, and a feeling for Some
More than Peace Psrvades the Congress.
Washington, ID. c., April 6.--Swlft as
cannon'is fash changed the Cuban sit
llation to-day. The galleries of Congress
were crowded Senators and Representa-
tiyes were anxious and agitated; even
the diplomatic corps was in ferment,
awaiting Il message from the President.
of the United States to the Congress of
the American people that might mean
n war. when, with excitement at the
very highest, like an electric flash the
word was passed that there would he no
message to-day. Its suddenness stunned
the public which heard the news IN dis
torted forms, and amazed veteran mem
bel of Congress. Ultimately it became
known that not only would there be no
message today but no message this
week. and that it was at least 81 posi-
bllity the message written and approved
might never go TO Congress at all. The
first reason for the delay was that the
administration received advices from
General Lee at Havana indicating that
I'll Americans could not be gotten off
the island to-day and would he in grave
peril il the message preceded their de-
rarture. The second reason. and per-
haps equally potent with the other,
slowly dr.fted into public comprehension
late in the day, chiefly through the me-
dunn of published Associated Press dis
patches from Madrid for extreme reti-
cence WIS maintained on the subject
by the few in Washington who knew
the facts-and even Cabinet officers
were unadvised on the subject This
important news was that the Spanish
government, after what plainly had been
most exciting times in inner Spanish cir
cles at Madrid. had decided to reopen
the case closed. so far as this govern
ment was concerned. by the refusal of
Spain to make satisfactory response TO
the representations made by the United
States last week, and, in order to avert
impending war. had decided to make
concessions heretofore refused.
What will be the final outcome it is
100 early TO say, but the aspect of af-
fairs certainly is considerably more pa
cific and sufficient to renew the hope OF
the President in a solution Of the Cuban
question satisfactory to the American
neople and achieved without bloodshed
The details remain to be worked out, but
il is expected that between now and
Monday q clearer light will he thrown
on the future by action at Madrid. OF
which one important feature at least is
the declaration of an armistice by tht
Queen regent of Spain. This armistice
IT is expected. will lead TO ultimate in
dependence of Cuba from Spanish rule
hut by what intermediate steps perharS
even the governing powers do not al
this time know Much. it is supposed
will DEPEND uDon the Cuban insurgents
and the neoDle OF tire Two countries
Of the United States and Spain.
The mowers of Europe. material anc
moral. il is known, brought to bear al
their influence on the government oi
Spain ard still are actively at work
seeking by the wisest and most nolitiC
conrse necessary in view Of the circum
stances and sentiments of the two great
nation ;nvolyed to bring peace out of th'
rothnring war clouds. All the caDitals
of Europe have heen in communication
tn this end. n fact nvidep"nd bv Tho
ocsomblage ut the british Fmfassv ir
th;e city yestcriay of the rnn"esentativ"s
of tho groot six mowers Of FAirone- whf
thpn ard thore wnrc m"de mutually ac
cnaintcd with whnt bad kn"n donf
o',,oad anA. with the desir" Of Those
who accredited them to Washington