The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-07
No MESSAGE SENT N.
Spain 10 Propose an Armls-
tICG in Cuba.
LEE ASKED FOR DELAY.
Americans Could Not Leave Island
in Time,
PEACE HIGHLY PROBABLE.
Queen Regent Expected to Agree
to independence.

Washington April 6-Swift as a can
mons fash changed the Cuban situation
to-day.
The galleries of Congress were crowded,
senator's and representatives were anxious
and agitated; even the diplomatic corps
was in a ferment, awaiting a message
from the President of the United States
to the Congress of the American people
that might mean war, when, with excite
ment at the very highest Ike an electric
fash the word was passed that there
would be no message to-day.
Its suddenness stunned the public,
which heard the news in distracted forms
and amazed veteran members of Con-
gress
Ultimately it became known that not
only would there be no message to-day,
but no message this week, and that it 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 administration received adfvices from
Consul General Lee at Havana indicating
that all Americans could not be gotten off
the island to-day and would be in grave
peril if the message preceded their depar-
ture.
The second reason, and perhaps equally
potent with the other, slowly drifted into
public comprehension late in the day
chiefly through the medium of published
ad.
rid, for extreme reticence was maintained
on the subject by the few in Washington
who knew the facts-and even cabinet Of
fcers were unadvised on the subject
This important news was that the Span
Ism government, after what had plainly
been most exciting times in inner Spanish
circles at Madrid, had decided to reopen
the case closed, so far as this government
was concerned, by the refusal of Spain to
make satisfactory response to the repre-
sentations 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 it is too
early to say, but the aspect of affairs is
considerably more pacific and sufficient
10 renew the hope of the President in
solution of the Cuban question satisfac-
tory to the American people, and achieved
without bioodshed.
1he details remain to be worked out,
! but it is expected that between now and
Monday clearer light will be thrown on
the future by action.
The principal feature, at least is the
declaration of an armistice by the Queen
regent of Spain. This armistice, 1t is ex-
Nected, will lead to ultimate independence
oI Cuba from Spanish rule, but by what
intermediate steps perhaps even the gov
eIhlhg powers do not at this time know.
Much it Is supposed, will depend upon
'he Cuban insurgents and the people OF
'ne two countries of the United States
and Spain.
ne powers of Europe, material and NOR
a. 1t is known, brought 10 bear all their
muuence on the government of Spain and
sun are actively at work seeking, by the
N'sest and most polite course necessary
!" view of the circumstances and senti-
Ihents of the two great nations involved
70 bring peace out of the gathering wal
ci9uds. All the capitals of Europe have
ueen IN communication to this end, a fact
evidenced by the assemblage at the British
Embassy in this city yesterday Of the rep
'eSehtatives of the six great powers OF Eu-
rope who then and there were made mu-
tually acquainted with what had beer
uohe abroad and with the desire of those
VINO accredited them to Washington thai
tney should work in accord here, this con
cert however. in the United States no
70 go beyond a mild tender of good Offices
10 secure peace and delay a definite de-
oIaration of war If hostilities finally be
came inevitable.
ne improved condition of affairs wa
teHeeted throughout all public quarters
,9le IN the day. 1t was manifested at the
mite House, among cabinet officers ant
al the embassies and legations, includins
ule Spanish legation. At the latter estab
"shment Senor Polo said that while h'
vould not disclose any of the information
ieaching him in an official character, ye
ne ielt that The strain of a few hours ag'
was materially relieved and that the pros
Iects for peace looked much brighter. IL
~ no way confirmed. nor would he ever
uiscuss views entertained in other high Of
He!al quarters that Spain was slowly, bu
surely, Yielding, and confined his utter
ances to the general statement that condi
''ohs were improving.
Accompanying the actual development
VI the day came a flood Of reports ans
Iunors OF sensational character, htt'
qt IT, however. having any authentic basis
I-nmors of disturbance at Havana were
"ot borne out by any official advices here
4he uncertainty following great disap