Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-17

Amendment win BE Favorably Acted
Upon-Ths Post ONCE Appropriation
BIN
WASHINGTON, March 10 Spain is
face to face with the question of &C
ceptance of mediation by the United
States. It would occasion no surprise
here if, through Minister Woodford at
Madrid or Minister Polo at Washing
ton, Spain should within very short
time express her desire for the exer-
else of the good offices of this country
Spain has gone to the limit in making
concessions. She has offered to SUR
render to Cuba all but the sovereignty
The insurgents will not consider the
terms, because they suspect the sim
certify of the mother country. Hence
Spain is confronted with the neces-
sity of asking the United States
to step in and negotiate for
her or see autonomy finally re-
jected by the insurgents and
independence recognized by the United
States. Minister Polo says there was
no official relationship between his
presentation at the white house
and the visit of Juan M. Ceballos,
which followed little later the same
day. He says that Senior Ceballos did
not act on any authority in presenting
his plea for peaceable intervention to
the president But, nevertheless, he
is not only commissioner named by
the autonomist government to aid in
the reciprocity treaty, but he is
member of the national committee APP
pointed to take charge of the work of
relieving the distress in Cuba.
Yesterdays events showed what i'm
portance the administration attaches
to Senator Proctor's observation in Gu
ba. At an early hour the senator APP
peared in the department of state. He
went from there to the war depart
ment, and was at once received by
Secretary Alger. Then the senator
crossed over to the white house He
spent the luncheon hour and co nsid
cradle portion of the afternoon with
the president. In the evening he was
with Secretary Alger again, The seua-
tor does not favor taking Cuba with a
land and naval force. He does favor
recognition of independence at an early
day He believes that the time is ripe
for independence. The Cubans who
constitute nine-tenths of the popula-
ton feel that independence alone will
restore peace. The remaining tenth,
composed of Spanish-born residents of
the island, has lost all faith in the
ability of Spain to regain control. But
both Secretary Alger and Senator
Proctor still think it is possible to get
through without war. They have hopes
that when recognition of dependence
comes, as they think it must in the
near future, Cuba will be able to
achieve her independence in fact.
Western Troops Preferred for Cuba.
WASHINGTON, March l5-At con-
ference between Secretary Alger and
Gen. Miles yesterday it was decided
that in the event there was call for
general movement of troops the first
troops to be ordered to the front would
be those at Jefferson barracks, Fort
Sheridan, Fort Riley and Fort Leav-
enworth. If it becomes necessary to
send an army to Cuba these troops
will form the main body of the at
lacking army. There is hardly a
doubt that if troops are sent to Cuba
the government will avail itself OF
the offer to furnish cowboy regiments,
as these men, accustomed as they are
to standing hardships and perfect as
they are in Workmanship and in the
accurate use of firearms, would make
splendid cavalry.
Prospects for Free Homes.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-The friends
of free homes have not abandoned hope
that the senate amendment will be
favorably acted upon 1t was an.
uounced yesterday that Speaker Reed
has selected as the conierees ON the
part of the house Representatives
Sherman, of New York. chairman OF /
house committee on Indian affairs;
Representative Curtis, of Kansas, and
Representative Little, of Arkansas.
Sherman and Curtis are opposed to the
amendment and Little is in favor of it.
The senate conferees have not yet
been named. 1t was reported yes.
terday that two of them would
be Senators Pettigrew and Nelson.
Both are supporters of the free homes
amendment, and it is said they will
hold out for agreement TO 1t by the
house to the extent, If necessary, OF
making it a senate issue. 1t Is be,
lieved by some members of the house
that the amendment may be SC
amended in conference as to protect
the agricultural colleges by providing
some plan by which their government
appropriation will not be affected, and
in this form It may be agreed to by tha
house conferees.
The Post once Appropriation Bill
WASHINGTON, March Is. The post
efice appropriation bill contains an
Item Of Sl5O,OOo for rural free delivery
during the next hscsl year. This e |
100000 moro than the post ofice Do. !