The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-02
Nature Of the Document Not Yet
Decided On.
CHOICE OF TWO COURSES.
Congress Gan Intervene or Mere
Iy Recognize Independence.

Washington, April 1.-There is little
doubt that the President and the members
of his cabinet now regard a conflict with
Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message to Congress, which, in
all probability, will be sent in next Mon-
day, and certainly early next week, it is
understood that the President will review
at some length the record as it stands be-
tween this government and Spain, but
will not insist upon further time in which
to continue negotiations looking TO a
peaceful solution of the Cuban problem.
The cabinet meeting this morning was
unquestionably the most important held
in many years. 1t received Spaih's an
ever to the ultimatum of this government
and finding it unsatisfactory, practically
decided upon a policy which, at this hour,
seems certain to involve hostihties.
The whole record will be laid before
Congress and the question is now under
earnest consideration, what shall be- the
particular form our policy shall take in
bringing to an end the horrors in Cuba,
and securing the independence of the is
land.
Propositions ranging from a simple rec
ognition of Cuban independence to a
straghtout declaration of war have been
urged at the capitol, but there is hardly
doubt that the majority of Congress will
await the executive lead before taking
action, and it is disposed to adopt Mr..
McKinTeys suggestion on this point 1t is
thought that any of the resolutions, eX-
cept possibly simple recognition of indie
pendence, would lead to war.
There were, of course, all sorts of ru-
mors in circulation, including reports of
mediation by European powers, but no
such suggestion has come to this govern
ment, for at o'clock this afternoon, in
response TO a direct question, Assistant
Secretary Day said there had been no Of
fer Of mediation by any foreign govern
ment.
One member of the cabinet, in speaking
of the meetings to-day, spoke substan-
tally as follows: "In the morning it was
apparent to all of us that having exhaust
ed all diplomatic efforts to bring about
better condition of affairs in Cuba and
they having failed, the whole question
must be submitted to Congress.
AT our afternoon meeting the President
requested each member of the cabinet TO
express freely his individual opinion as to
what should be DONE The discussion was
entirely on the lines indicated by the
members. Nothing definite was decided
upon and no conclusions reached.
The President will now take the views
submitted to him under consideration pre-
paGatory TO his message to Congress which
VIII be sent in early next week.
President Mckinley has done great
zeal Of work recently, and appears pretty
wen Iatigued. Consequently he will take
little rest before beginning active work
On the message. He has not yet determ-
med what recommendation will be trans
Wlted to Congress.
My own individual opinion is that but
htte faith can be put in the promises
made by Spain, and this makes me hesi-
tate about accepting with any confidence
her latest proposals.
IN the first place she promised a long
ulne ago that the reconcentrados would be
released. The result shows that this prom
Ise mas not been KEPT. Now she pro-
poses to release them, but keep them un-
whether she viii adhere to this expressed
Intention?
Broadly, there appears to be three
courses open to the President in dealins
4ufther with this matter. The first of
'"ese is to accept the proposals submlt-
yea by Spain in reply 10 the American
presentations; the second TO relegate the
Whoie matter to Congress and let that
uouy do as ii sees proper-which | think
would mean interventon-and, thirdly, TO
taKe middle stand. But, as / said be-
ore nothing has yet been determined upon
~ the President, or, if he has reached
decision, he did not communicate it to
noon
res, reference was made by Spain to
tHe Maine matter in the reply she sent
through Minister Woodford. She made
40 ofer to pay for the loss, but suggest
ga mat the matter be settled by arbitra-
uol' 50 far as recall, she expressed no
lesret for the sad occurrence, and the
statement"
Ine second session of the cabinet lasted
rom O'Clock till $40 o'clock.
me Spanish minister called at the state
uspartment at 4S0 o'clock, and was in
eonIerence with Judge Day for some time.
N.