Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-03-31
PROSPECT OF PEACE.
Spain Does Not Wish to Engage in
War with Us.
The President Wants to Bring the War to y
Close Upon Terms That VIII Render
the Cubana Practically n
Free People.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.-The de-
velopments Of the day in the Cuban
situation indicate steady progress in
the negotiations between the govern
ment of this country and that of Spain
looking to the maintenance of peace
for the present at least. There is good
authority for saying that Spain's pres.
emit wish is to secure n cessation OF
hostilities in Cuba rather than to en-
gage in war with the United States,
and that 1t is more than probable that
the negotiations between the govern
ment of the United States and the Sa-
gasta ministry will take that turn in
the immediate future. The present
Spanish ministry has protested a pacific
disposition from the beginning, and
the indications are strong now that it
will avail itself of the good offices of
the United States to the fullest extent
that public opinion in Spain will allow
in bringing to an end the hostilities in
Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may go in assisting Spainnin her pres
ent design of securing an armistice is
not yet determined, but the conserva-
tive element in the administration con-
slider the manifestation of this desire
on the part of Spain for even tempo
rary peace direct result of President
McKinley's diplomacy, and they are
naturally disposed to contend that the
president should be left free, for the
present at least to pursue a policy
which promises much in the way Of
preventing war between this country
and Spain, and also of bringing to a
close the hostilities in Cuba. Hence
there will be an effort on the part of
the peaceful inclined in congress to
continue to hold that body in check
and to prevent inflammatory utter
ances there until this promising diplo-
matte lead may be exploited.
On the part of the administration, it
is stated that the development of the
situation will not require great
length of time, and hence that there
will be no extended delay. A policy
has been fully determined upon by the
president. 1t is to bring the Cuban
war to close. This will be accom-
plished by pointed intervention if nee
essary, but it is considered far prefer
able the end should come as the result
of peaceful negotiations than that it
should be accompanied by hostile DEM
constructions on the part of the United
States. Hence the disposition of the
president is to give Spain fair oppor-
tunity to secure an armistice with the
Cubans and to allow her a reasonable
time in which to come to an UNDER
standing with the hostiles.
1t can be stated upon high authority
that there has been no abatement of
the presidents intention to see that
the war is terminated, when it is
closed, upon terms that will render
the Cubans practically free people.
1t is not believed that they would ac-
cept anything less, nor that Americans
would be satisfied if we should encour-
age settlement that would not be
acceptable to the Cubans. If there
should now be an armistice, it
would be with the concession
made by Spain at the instance
of this country that negotiations
should be opened Immediately with
the insurgents, looking to the estab-
lshment of permanent peace upon
these terms In the meantime, the
president will on Wednesday send his
message asking that an appropriation
be made for the aid of the destitute
Cubans.