The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-31

y. NO QaJG was uXeu eItASd III tht
first or in the present note. but the United
States is now dwelling on the meaning OF
the word Immediately" and insisting that
Spain accept its general Interpretation The
public generally is taking little apparent
interest in the situation, but there is gem
eral disinclination to believe that war is
likely.
A Cabinet council was held this afternoon
TO consider the American proposals. An
other will be held tomorrow at noon, pre-
sided over by the Queen Regent, and at
o'clock tomorrow there will be final con-
ference between United States Minister
Woodford, Senior Sagasta, the premier,
Senior Gullon, the foreign minister, and
Senior Moret the minister for the colonies.
1t is now said that the proposition which
Spain will answer covers two points only,
! and it's publication will be a revelation to
some of those abroad who have been de-
nouncng Americas aggressive attitude. II
follows:
First-Spain to proclaim Immediately an
armistice in Cuba to last until October, dur
ing which interval the United States will
use its good offices with the insurgents to
make this temporary peace permanent
Second-Spain to do her best toward re-
lieving suffering and starvation on the ISL
and, with America to be allowed to assist
in this work.
Midnight--At the Cabinet council to-day
Senor Capdepon. minister of the interior,
explained the results of the elections and
Senior Moret read a series OF important
documents relative to the situation of the
reconcentrados in Cuba and the results OF
the efforts hitherto made for their relief.
In view of these documents Senior Moret
proposed and the council approved an open
credit of 3OO0,5s pesetas, to be placed at
the disposition of General Blanco by cable
to be used in succoring necessitous recon-
centrados and to facilitate means of work
for those willing to return to their hold
ings, with the supply of needful advances
to enable them to till the grounds. The
documents read by Senior Moret tended to
show that the healthy reconcentrados who
were desirious of working could find suffi-
cient labor in the fields but that those who
had lost their implements or the small cap
ital necessary to sustain them for three
months while waiting for the product of
their husbandry needed some kind of ad-
ministrative organization more complex
than the simple distribution of food by COM
mission. This intention appeared also from
the fact that many heads of families had
Mexico and leaving abandoned wives and
children, who remained without resources,
there being large numbers of children
whose future must inspire the livelest SYM
pathy.
Senor Sagasta gave an account of the
conference with United States Minister
Woodford and explained Americas propos-
ais, their character and significance. The
council deliberated at great length and aft
er consideration of the important issues de-
pending upon it's decisions, resolved to sub
NIT the results of the deliberations to-mor-
row to the Queen Regent.
The report that the government has OBJ
tanned the Queen Regents signature to a
new credit from the Bank of Spain is un-
founded
A dispatch from Barcelona says that the
armed steam yacht Giraldo, purchased by
the Spanish government from Harry Me-
Calmont, the English race horse owner,
after the vessel had been rejected by the
United States, is now being fitted up as a
dispatch boat.
Ell Pals says four war ships have been OBJ
tanned by Spain in France and that ne
gotiations are pending for the purchase of
several torpedo boats in Great Britain. Ell
Pals also says that orders have been issued
to mobilize all the Spanish war ships and
the torpedo boat Halcon is to sail immedi-
ately from Carthagena for Cadiz, where .
second torpedo squadron is being prepared
Military engineers, according to FL Pals,
are starting for the Canary islands, and the
Palearic islands are being fortified. Italy.
it is said by Ell Pals, has decided to sell the
armored cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi, of 6S4o
tons and we'll armored, a sister ship of the
Varez, TO Spain. Two regiments still, ac-
cording to Eel Pals, are going to the Canary
islands to strengthen the Spanish garrison
there.
The Armstrong; Spanish agent, a Span
lard, who is in touch with the government
and commercial people in Spain, has ex-
pressed the belief that unless the powers
intercede there will be war. He added: IF
the United States offered money for our
clearing out of Cuba we could not accept
but if the proposition emanated from an
other power it is not unlikely that it would
be accepted" This view of the case is
echoed by a portion of the Spanish press
which advises Spain to wash her hands of
Cuba.
Senor Ortiz de Sarato prominent former
Carlist deputy, who has just been defeated
at Vittoria, expresses the opinion that there
would be no war. saying: I'VE have neither
ships, sailors, soldiers plans nor money, and
the government knows 1t. 1t will struggle |
to the last end, then cave in" Senior Sarato |
who was re emily at Cadiz, says the Spanish
war ships Pelayo and Carlos v, which the
government announced ready for sea, cam
not possibly be made ready sooner than in
two months.