The record-union., 1898-04-01
OFFICIAL CIRCLES ANXIOUS.
Waiting to Learn the Outcome of
Negotiations With Spain.

WASHINGTON, March 31-A feel
ing of profound anxiety was apparent
throughout all official circles to-day as
the time for Spain's final answer to the
specific representations of the United
States draws near. The State Depart
ment received a cablegram from Min
lister WOodfOrd at Madrid expressing in
a general way his hopefulness that a
solution will be effected, and stating
that his interview with Premier Sa-
gasta and the Ministry was set for 4
o'clock this afternoon, following the
Cabinet council at noon.
1t is difficult to account for this diff
ference at the two Capitals on the
most vital feature of the negotiation
There is no doubt that the authorities
here regard the immediate cessation OF
hostilities, and such a condition as will
bring about the independence as essen
tial features to be considered. There
may be some differences of how and
when these results are to be reached
but there appears to be no doubt that
the results themselves are expected in
this country as the ultimate end of any
negotiations.
The understanding at Madrid as con-
veyed by cable dispatches and other
high sources, is that the actual indie
pendence of Cuba is not involved in
the present negotiations. How far
Spain will accede to the American
propositions can only be conjectured
If the independence of Cuba has been
presented and insisted upon by the
United States Government there is rea-
son to believe that the situation may
become extremely grave.
On the other questions involved. the
cessation of hostilities and the relief
of the reconcentradOs. the hopeful out
look is much stronger The dispatches
received by the Spanish Legation last
night, stating that the reconcentrados
decree had been revoked in the cast
ern provinces Of Cuba, is looked upon
as a significant step in the direction
of the demands made by the United
States. and the order issued by Gen
eral Blanco extending it to Havana
and the western provinces is an even
more significant act.
AS to the cessation Of hostilities there
are evidences that these also may ia
vorably be regarded by Spain The
only difficulty in the way appears to be
that the Spanish Government does not
wish to lay down arms, while at the
same time the insurgents continue in
arms. There is no doubt that this
branch of the proposition is being very
seriously considered at Madrid
Among the callers at the State De-
partment, this being diplomatic day,
were the German ambassador. the
Austrian Minister, the Venezuelan Min
;-+o Mc Wi -
the United States Legation at Madrid
who has just arrived from Spain.
The presence of the Austrian Minis
ter, Mr.. Won Hengel-Muller, was of
more than passing interest, owing to
the close relations between Spain and
Austria, and the reports from Vienna
that the Austrian Minister at Wash
ington was instructed to aid in any
movement initiated by France toward
mediation. Mr. Won Hengel- Muller saw
both Secretary Sherman and Assistant
Secretary Day. The State Department
officials were reticent as to the purpose
of his call. 1t is not believed, how
ever. that any European power has
taken steps toward mediation, though
it is even apprehended at any time.
The French ambassador, NJ. Cambon,
was not among to-day's callers at the
State Department, so that it was APP
parent that France had not yet deter
mined to make the first overtures for
mediation.
Among the leading diplomats the
usual course of mediation is being Sc
riously discussed on the presumption
that it will become an actual factor in
the situation if a war crisis develops
within the next few daysN A number
of the corps said to-day that mediation
preceded a declaration of war and that
| if the great powers took any action il
would follow quickly when it became
apparent, as the result of SPANS reply
than an inevitable conflict was at hand
He said also that under such circum-
stances before Congress took up the
considera ton of the recently postponed
declarations of war it would be advised
| through the executive branch that the
powers desired few days delay in or
der that their friendly influences might
| be exerted in order to avert war. This
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