The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-04-01
THE CRISIS At HAND
Question of War or Peace will be
Decided by Monday.
SPAIN REPLY RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENT

SPAIN REPLY RECEIVED BY The PRESIDENT
sagasta makes no Final Decision but Plays
for DeIay-congress Demands Action by
Monday Noon-Approach of the Spanish
FTotiIla Regarded as Threatening-MaIne
Tradegy will not be Arbitrated-The Out
look CriticaI-commodore Schley Queried
Special Despatch to the CHRONICLE from
washington-leo O'Clock to-day.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 1st, 1885,
Spain's reply to the demands of the
United States is in the hands of the
President. 1t has not been made public,
but Spain is believed neither to have ac,
seded to nor finally rejected our pro-
posals. Something in the nature of a
counter proposition has been made. but
more to gain time than in the hope that
it would be accepted by this government
Spain is playing for delay, but it is GER
tain that if the President consents to de-
lay beyond this week, the Congress will
proceed to act in its own way.
1t will be impossible to hold the Re-
nublicans who want action, in restraint
longer than next Monday, to which time
their conference last night adjourned.
This short time was secured only by the
strongest urging on the part of the more
conservative men taking part in the con-
ferepce. AS the conference includes
majority eff the Republican membership
of the Ho Use they can force caucus and
compel r,lrty action in the direction they
desire. When the House adopts reso-
luton cognizing the independence of
Cuba al directing the Executive to in
tervene, it viii be promptly passed by
the Senat and go to the President. If
he should veto it, it would be passed over
his veto ast Don as it gets back to the capi-
tol. In shoAs Congress demands vigorous
and immediate action in favor of Cuban
independence, and if the President does
not take it by Monday noon, Congress
itself will act, the House leading off.
Spain's counter proposition is understood
10 be to release and provide for the re-
concentrates, to agree to an armistice
and the withdrawal of her troops; and
finally, if peace be not restored, to sub
NIT the matter to the arbitration Of the
United States with the understanding
that the decision will be in favor of the
islands independence. This will not be
satisfactory to Congress, as Spain's good
faith would be doubted. Moreover, it
would leave the Maine disaster unsettled
and this rankles in the American breasts
more deeply as day follows day.
The approach of the Spanish torpedo
fotilla is regarded in Naval circles as the
most threatening phase of the situation.
As to foreign mediation between Spain
and the United States, it is believed none
will be offered unless possibly in case of
war to prevent prolonged hostilities.
This might be tolerated, but Congress
will never consent to submit the Maine
tragedy TO arbitration. The outlook is
critical and war seems to be near at
hand. EDWARD WRIGHT BRADY.
WASHINGTON, D. G., p. m.-Commo-
dore Schley has been asked by the Navy
Department how soon he can have the
Flying Squadron at Hampton ready to
sail to intercept the Spanish torpedo
Flotilla now on its way to Porto Rico.
The Presidents secretary says state
ment Of Spain's answer will be given out
M k1,Sa E<1xe,0oy, w