The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-07
NO MESSAGE.

NO MESSAGE.
Surprise and disappointment That the
President Did Not Speak.
Washington. April 7.--Swift as a can
mons Hash was the change in the Cuban
situation yesterday. The galleries of
congress were crowded, senator's and
representatives were anxious and agi-
tated. and even the diplomatic corps was
In ferment. awaiting a message from
the president to the congress Of the
American people that might mean war,
when. with excitement at the very high
est. the word quickly passed that there
would be no message at present. Its
suddenness stunned the public, which
heard the news In distorted forms. and
amazed veteran members of congress. ,
Ultimately IL became known that not
only would there be no message We'd
nesday. but no message this week and
that 1t was at least possibility the
message written and approved might
never go to congress at all. The first
reason for the delay was that the admin
istration received advices from General
Lee at Havana. indicating that all
Americans could not be gotten off the
island yesterday and would be I'm grave
peril IL the message preceded their de-
parture. The second reason, and per-
maps equally potent with the other
SLOWLY drifted into public comprehension
late In the day, chiefly through the
medium OF dispatches from Madrid. for
extreme reticent was maintained on the
subject by the few I'm Washington who
knew the facts. This important news
was that the Spanish government. after
what plainly had been the most exciting
times In inner Spanish circles at Madrid
had decided to reopen the case. which
mad been closed so far as this govern
ment was concerned by the refusal OF
Spain to make satisfactory response To
the representations made by the United
states last week, and, In order to avert
impending war. had decided to make
concessions heretofore refused.
What will be the final outcome. II is
too early 70 cay, but the aspect OF af-
fairs certainly is considerably more
pacific and sufficient to renew the hone
OF the president In solution of the Gu
ban question satisfactory to the Ameri-
can people and achieved without blood
she'd The details remain to be worked
out. but II is expected that between now
and Monday clearer light will be
thrown on the future by the action at
Madrid. OF which one important feature
at least is the declaration of an armis-
tice by the queen regent Of Spain This
armistice, 1t is expected. will lead to the
ultimate independence OF Cuba from
spanish rule, but by what intermediate
steps perhaps even the governing DOW
ers do not at this time know Much. II
is supposed, will depend upon the Cuban
insurgents and the peoples of the United
States and Spain.
The powers OF Europe. material and
moral. 1t is known brought to bear all
their influence on the government of
Spain. and still are actively at work
seeking by the wisest and most polite
course necessary, In view Of the circum-
stances and sentiments of the two great
nations involved, to bring peace out of
the gathering clouds. All the Capitals
or Europe have been In communication
TO this end. fact evidenced by the as
sembiage at the British embassy Of the
representatives OF the six great powers
Of Europe. who then and there were
made mutually acquainted with what
had been done abroad and with the de-
Washington that they should work in
accordance here, this concert, however.
In the United States. not to go beyond a
mild tender of good officeskto secure
peace and delay a definite declaration of
war. IL hostilities finally became in
evitable. Some OF the representatives
assembled at Sir Julian Pauncefote's
may have wished to offer mediation, but
II so they were warned against It by
others In the conference who under
stood more clearly that such a proceed
are would be resented and work to hostile
and not to peaceful ends.
The improved condition Of AFFAIRS was
reflected throughout all public quarters
The Spanish minister said that while he
could not disclose any Of the information
reaching him In an official character,
yet he felt that the strain OF a few hours
ego was materially relieved and that the
prospects for peace looked much bright
or. He In no way confirmed. nor would
he even discuss. views entertained I'm
other quarters that Spain was slowly
but surely yielding. and confined his ut
terances to the general statement that
conditions were improving
While the message was awaited there
came a hurried summons OF leaders of
the senate and house TO the White
House. and they were there Informed
that the message was to be withheld
vpon the Information received from
Consul General Lee. The reasons he
gave were deemed entirely satisfactory
by all, and Senator Davis informed the
senate. while the house leaders carried
the pews to that body That the danger
90 American life was considered suf-