Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-01

Washington, March 31.-This has
been day of anxious waiting for
SPANS reply TO The demands OF the
United States contemplating the ter
minatiou of the war in Cuba and the
independence OF the island. On that
reply, it was universally believed, the
issue between peace or war would be
decided, unless some new and unex
pected considerations arose to postpone
the issue further. But delay would
meet the opposition of Congress. The
gravity of the situation was felt III all
official quarters. II was not day OF
rapid development, as when war pre-
parations were following in rapid sue
cession, but the tension was even
greater from the uncertainty that pre-
vailed, and the feeling that Spain
would not concede the complete indie
penG6nc6 Of Cuba.
The White House continued TO be
thronged with Congressional leaders.
anxious to learn from the President
what his course was to be. The gem
al view conveyed by these leaders,
after they had been with the Presi-
dent, was that he expected 10 have
definite replies from Spain in time to
present the entire subject to Congress
by next Monday.
The State Department was the CEN
ire of interest throughout the day, as
it was there that Minister Woodford S
dispatch announcing SPANS attitude
was to be received. The officials
shared in the general anxiety but
throughout the business hours of the
day no word was received from the
United States Minister.
The attitude OF European powers
continued to be seriously discussed in
official quarters, as it was felt that an
offer of European mediation was al
most certain
TO FOLLOW A WAR CRISIS.
No distinct offer has been submitted
up to the present moment, In this
connection, the cable report from Ber
lin that Germany was menacing Spain
on an Old claim, and was about to
make a naval demonstration IN Cuba,
attracted much attention. The Ger
man ambassador, DR.. Won Hol!eben.
said that he had received no informa-
tion as to this reported move, nor was
he acquainted with the Cannambra
case referred to in the dispatch. The
Spanish minister is also unacquainted
with the Cannambra case and does
not credit the report that Germany has
taken steps OF decisive character
1t was the general feeling that if
Germany had taken any such action it
would have a most decided influence
upon the Spanish-Ameritan situation
and one seriously prejudicial to SPAN.
Congress will wait until Monday be-
fore any action is taken. The Presi-
dent has asked d~iay until that time,
and assurances have been given by
those IN charge Of affairs that there
Will be nothing done until Monday
Inc most important action taken by
the Navy Department to-day was the
determination to have the naval mali
TIA Of the several States prepared for
immediate service should this be found
necessary. This conclusion was the
outcome of conference of the mem
berS of the naval strategic board dur
Ing the afternoon. Letters will be
sent to the Governors and the adult
ant generals Of all States where there
are naval MALTA organizations. ask
ing them to set in motion the machin-
cry for drilling and equipping the
State organizations promptly, SO they
may be ready within a few hours no.
tice of Il call to arms.
IT is DIFFICULT TO ACCOUNT
for the differ nee at the two capitals
On the most vital feature of the nego-
tiations. There is no doubt that the
authorities here regard the immediate
cessation of ho.tilities and such a con-
dition as will bring about independ-
ence, as essential features to be con-
sidored. There may be some differ
ence as to just how or When these re-
suits are to be reached, but there ap-
pears to be no doubt that the results
themselves are expected in this coun-
try as the ultimate end Of any negota-
tons
How far Spain will accede TO the
American proposition can only be con-
lectured, for even the best posted Of
hciais here lack any basis of Judging
The probable course of events IN Mad
rid. General Woodford's dispatch is
The most hopeful indication, and yet
as already stated, this may relate to
features of settlement less advanced
than those generally understood here
as the requirements suitable to the
case. If the complete independence of
Cuba has been presented and insisted
upon by the United States government
lHGT6 Is reason 10 D6ll6N6 IHdI lUS ST.
uation may become extremely grave.
On the other questions involved, the
cessation of hostillities and the relief
of the reconcentrados, the hopeful out
look is much stror ger. The dispatches
received by the Spanish legation last
night stating that the reconcentrado
decree has been invoked in he eastern
provinces of Cuba is looked upon as
significant in the direction of the de-
mands made by the United States and
the order issued by General Blanco eX-
tending it to Havana and western pro-
ivnces Is an even more significant act
AS to the cessation Of hostillities,
there are evidences that this may also
be favorably' regarded by Spain. The
only difficulty III the way appears to
be that the Spanish government does
not wish to lay down arms, while the
insurgents continue in arms. There
Is no doubt that this branch of the pro-
position is being very maturely con-
sidered in Madrid.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
and the Spanish legation maintain an
outward aspect of serenity to-day, de-
spite the critical conditions existing.
Among the callers at the State De-
part, being diplomatic day, were the
German ambassador, the Austrian am
bassador, the Venezuelan minister and
Mr. Macarthur, secretary of the United
States legation at Madrid, who has just
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