The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01
CounteP-PrOposition Reported t.
fort to Gain More Time.
MUCH SECRECY At MADRID
ABSOLUTE RESERVE MAINTAINED
REGARDING sAGAsTA's NOTE.
Incidents of the Spanish Cabinet
Meeting, which Lasted Four Hours
-Comments of the Press.



spain has replied to President
McKinIey's demand for the cessa-
tion of hOstiIities and the inde-
pendence of Cuba, hut the tenor
of the answer is not known. A
long message was received at the
White House late last night from
Minister WOOdfOrd, but it was in
cipher, and Assistant Secretary
of State Day announced 1t would
not he translated until to-day;
therefore NO fntimatiOn of the ma
ture of the reply would be given
out. IL Is reported that Spain has
Nsubzaitted a cOunter-prOpOsitiOn
asking that time be given her to
arrive at an understanding svith
the Cubans. This, however, is re-
Earded as an attempt by Sagasta
to gain more time for war prep
aratiOES.
The Spanish Cabinet was i'm ses-
sion most of yesterday, and I'm the
evening its reply was presented
to Minister WOOdford. Senior Sa-
gasta and his colleagues refused
The leading members of. both
branches of Congress have decided
to take NO -adicsI action ON the
Cuban question before Monday,
when, It IL believed, the President
viii be able to give the result OF
his negotiations with the Spanish
Cabinet. Many senator's and rep
resentatives visited the White
House yesterday and discussed
the situation with the President,
and nearly all went away con-
WINGED that 1T would be wise to
avoid precipitnte action. A COM
mittee representing the Republic
an ''yvar party I'm the House, after
spending an hour with Mr.. McIxin-
ley, reported to a conference held
at $3.50 o'clock that the President
wsA doing everything possible TO
adjust the Cuban trouble. Several
speeches were made. and then
the conference postponed further
confederation of the matter till
after the adjournment of the
House next Monday. The commit
tees ON foreign relations and ON
foreign affnfrs of the senate and
House held sessions, hut decided
not to report ON the Cuban resOIu-
tions till the first OF the coming
week. unless Spnin's reply was re-
ccived before that time.
There was much excitemcnt in
Congress and several sensa tiOna1
speeches. Henry U. johnson, of
RichmOnd, Ind, who represents a
Quaker community. made fear
Iesa, passionate address i'm the
House Ina favor OF peace, and was
ieered and hissed. MIR. Bailey, of
Texas. the Democratic leader, said
his party wanted tn see Cuba free,
even IL war IN necessary. General
GrOSvenor, who is sappOsed tn rep
resent the President, defended the
Administrations policy, aPd inti-
mated that the present war prep
arxtiOns indicated the independ-
ence of Cuba would be assured.
In the Senate, Mr.. Allen made "A
speech on the Cuban question, and
there was lively tilt between
MIR. Chandler and Mr.. Frye.
.Captain General BIancO, under
date Of March 30, has rescinded
WcyIcr'H concentration order,
which applied tn the four western
provinces OF Cuba (not eastern, as
stated yesterday0 The recOncen-
tradOs of Pinar del Rio, Havana,
MatanxaH and Santa Clara prov
inces will be permitted to return
to their former homes at once. and
those In need of assistance will be
given aid. General BlancO has
made n long report ON the cOndi-
tfon of the people, and says much
OF their misery IS due to the in
surgents.
The Navy Department has its
preparations for defense well un-
der way, and is now considering
n "pIan of campaign i'm the event
Of war. The battle ship Oregon
and gunbOat Marietta, en- route
from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
have been warned to be on their
guard against a Spanish torpedo
boat. All possible woodwork has
been taken OF the vessels at Key
West and the personal effects of
officers and sailors sent ashore.
Torpedo boats are also patrOIIing
the waters about TOPtugaH. Addi-
sionaI steps have been taken pre-
paratOry TO calling out the naval