The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-11

that Of rejecting the armistice. There
Is little doube, however. that strong In
fiuences Will now be brought to bear to
induce the insurgents to suspend hos
tilities SO that terms for a complete
settlement may be reached. One OF the
ambassadors at Washington pointed out
that the influence OF the pope was re-
lied upon to a considerable extent with
the insurgents. as they are part of \
country which is thoroughly Catholic
and loyal to Rome. While the influence
or the great powers is not likely to be
cxerted In any material way against
the insurgents. yet this influence will
be brought to bear as far as possible
from moral standpoints. The influence
Of the United States government will
also be a material factor In case the
present crisis between the United States
and Spain is averted and the arnis-
tice Ia accepted In Washington as a ten
tative ground for the solution of the Gu
ban problem.
The attitude of congress on the gen.
eral subject Is probiematic. During
recent days the feeling in both houses
has been intense. and II remains to be
seen whether the changed conditions
brought about by the armistice will suf-
hce to aliay this feeling. Resolutions
authorizing Intervention are already
prepared, but these were framed when
the diplomatic negotiations were in a
deadlock. "A leading Republican mem
Der OF the house committee on foreign
snairs expressed the opinion that rhe
srmistice. instead OF relieving the situa-
tion. would only aggfavate 1t. He be-
heved this country would not rest short
or the complete abjurstion Of the Span
ish authority over any part of Cuban
.erritory. There 10 every reason why
Spain snould want an armistice now.
ana IL might be significant as a central
motive that the rainy season, with all
the norrers IL has to the unacclimatized
spanish soldiers, will set in within three
weeks ana continue until about Novem--
per- Everybody knows what its effects
nave Deem on the troops sent over from
.ne peninsula, and In the present con-
tingency, with Spain's resources prac-
.icaiiy exhausted, continued activity Of
the insurgents. coupled with the fatal
work OF the season. would, think, mean
fatal termination Of the Spanish cause
In the conflict.
Its objects are relief from the hoped-
and delay with the insurgents until n
more auspicious season. In that view
am against Its consideration for a mo-
ment. Our position at this time WITH
reference to Spain contemplates first
intervention In humanity's cause. which
would not be fulfilled by anything short
OF the entire sweeping away of the span-
ish sovereignty, and second, the de-
a
that the armistice at this time will have
any bearing on our attitude
Easter Sunday brought little rest IN
those who are dealing with the Spanish
situation. With the presidents message
ready to 60 to congress. SPANS grant of
an armistice had brought about new
conditions which compelled the president
and his advisers to meet and consider
how Tar the situation was affected by
SPANS concession. AS a result the nm
usuai IL not the unprecedented condition
arose for two cabinet meetings on sun
DAY, one about noon. lasting an hour and
ahalf. and another at s o'clock In st nipht
While the streets were thronged with
people going to their Easter services
early In the day. the carriages of cabinet
omcers were centering at the White
House to take up the latest phases Of
the Spanish situation. The cabinet
meetings led to no change in the de-
termination that the president's s message
would go to congress 1t seemed eyi-
dent. however from the new conditions
presented by the grant of an armistice
that the message should deal. with these
conditions in order that congress might
be fully advised on the latest phases of
the subject Cabinet officers were ex-
tremely reticent over the changes In the
message. although 1t seemed to be under
stood that the facts relating to the armis
tice would at least be Incorporated. even
though the general policy of the message
underwent no change.
At tho close Of the second cabinet
meeting IL was stated that the meeting
was devoted wholly to the consideration
OF the addition to the message necessi-
lated by the receipt of the note advising
this government Of the declaration of an
unconditional armistice. The SUNK to
the presidents message merely recited
this latest event in the development of
the Spanish question. giving the SUBJ
stance or the Spanish note and recon-
mending II to the earnest attention of
congress. Otherwise the message stands
unchanged. After the meeting, one
member OF the cabinet said that the
Spanish note had not altered either the
message or the situation. 1T is merely"
said he. what Spain has been asking
for all along-more time. 1t does not
touch the situation. and the presidents
message Is left precisely as It was be-
fore. merely stating the fact Of thfs last
development"
Another member said: Our meeting
was for the final reading OF the message
which will be sent to congress. IL Is a
strong state paper and will contain q
review OF the conditions existing In Cuba
Tor years past. There In no change in
the tone Of the message differing from
that indicated In the newspapers. The
president will ask that he be given au-
thority to use the army and the navy to
pring ABOUT peace In the island Of Cuba
N n utfV hA~ q =