The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-01
IT IS WAR
Spain's Reply is Wholly Unsatis-
factory.
M'KINLEY TO SPEAK.
Will Declare Himself After the
Cabinet Meeting.
Now Has Little Confidence in a
Peaceful Solution.

Washington, April 1.-The president
will make a public statement immedi-
ately after the close of the cabinet
meeting.
1t can be be reiterated authoritatively
that the latest dispatch from Madrid
thoroughly unsatisfactory to the
administration. It's dissatisfaction was
openly announced during several of
the conferences that took place during
the morning hours. The note was re-
ceived late last night, and after it had
been read by the president and Judge
Day effort was made to communi-
cate with several other members of the
cabinet. In view of the grave signif-
canoe of the dispatch. it was considered
very deliberately and the reply of this
government deferred until the presi-
dent could consult with the members of
his official family of advisers.
The reply to the Spanish response ac-
cordingly, will not be cabled until after
the cabinet meeting. Friday is a reg
ular cabinet day, and the president felt
that there should be a full and fair
conference before the views of the
Washington government on the reply
from Madrid should be transmitted to
Premier Sagasta.
That the president has less confidence
in peaceable ultimate outcome was
apparent from the views he expressed
to several of his closest friends.
LATER
Washington, April 1.-The cabinet has
assembled to consider Spain's reply to
Minister Woodford's representa- tions
and what the next step of the United
States shall be.
Secretaries Bliss and Alger were the
first to arrive, and Assistant Secretary
Day again saw the president just before
the cabinet gathered, as did Represen-
tative Adams of Pennsylvania, the rank
ing member of the house foreign affairs
committee in Representative Hits alb
sence, owing to illness.
Washington, April 1.-The Cuban gov
ernment, meaning thereby the present
home rule authorities in Cuba and not
the insurgents, have appealed to the
president of the United States to respect
the will of the majority of the people
of Cuba The appeal declares that the
majority represents those in favor of
home rule under Spanish sovereignty:
that the insurgents are in the minority:
that the majority has a right to rule
it's destinies, that it would be an
injustice for a foreign will, meaning the
United States, to impose upon this ma
jority a political regime contrary to its
will, and that 1t would be a great wick
edness to dispose of it's lot without it's
own consent. The appeal to the presi-
dent does not in terms protest against
the United States securing the indie
pendence of Cuba, but it's tenor is to
protest against any form of Cuban gov
ernment other than that now being
carried on by the Cuban authorities
The appeal is signed as follows: Jose
Maris Calves, president of the honora-
BILE government of Cuba
The appeal was placed in the hands of
the president this morning and the
statement was made that it was the di-
rect expression of the Cuban govern
ment itself without the inspiration or
knowledge of the Spanish government
either at Madrid, Havana or elsewhere.
Madrid, April 1.-The substance of
yesterdays proposals of the Spanish
government the Associated Press cor
respondent learns, is:
First-That the insurgents should ask
for an armistice, and not the United
States.
Second-That the request for an
armistice should be dealt with by the
autonomist cabinet of Cuba and with
out the intervention, or good offices of
the United States.
Washington, April 1.-One of the con-
servative public men who talked with
the president today said the situation
was more serious than at any previous
time. The reply from Madrid is far
from satisfactory but no decision would
be reached until the cabinet had con-
Sidered it. As to the order releasing |
the reconcentrados, Spain, it was said, |
would have to go much farther than j
that before her action would be consid- |
cred as complying with the demands
OF this government.
Washington, April 1.-Senators and
members of congress who saw the pres |
fdent today told him that it was not |
possible for congress to delay the Gu
ban question beyond Monday; that if
Spain had asked further time, it would
serve only to increase the uneaSiness
in congress. 1t was their opinion that
neither Spain nor the administration
would be granted further time.
New York. April IA special dis
patch from Washington to the World
gives the following outline of Spain's
reply to the note presented by Minister
Woodford:
Spain neither accedes nor declines |
President McKinley's propositions.
'She makes a counter argument that |
Spain should herself be allowed to pro-
pose terms to what should be done |
regarding her own territory; that the |
United States should not do So"
London, April IA dispatch to the |
Daily Mail which was dated IL O'Clock |
yesterday evening says: On receiving |
Spain'S note, General Woodford de- |
swer as he had to consult with Wash |
ington and asked permission to trans |
late the note into English forthwith so |
that Senior Moret (the minister for the |
colonies) who knows English, could re- |
wise and approve the translation. This |
was done.
General Woodford's only comment |
was the expression of his personal |
wishes for Cancellation and peace.
After the conference Senorf Moret |
said: I'VE are still Spaniards."
Il am assured" the Daily Nails cor
respondent adds. that France and |