Evening journal., 1898-04-07
MESSAGE HELD BACK.
Probably Will Not Be Sent to Con-
gress Before Monday.
GENERAL LEE ASKS FOR DELAY.
Fears n Demonstration In Havana-Amer-
leans Rapidly Leaving Cuba Govern
ment WIN Take No Risks-vol-
unteers Are Rioting.

WASHINGTON, April 7s-sudden as
2 cannon's fash was the change In the
Cuban situation yesterday afternoon.
The galleries Of congress were crowded
senators and representatives were anx-
ious and agitated, even the diplomatic
corps was In a ferment awaiting a mes
sage from the president OF the United
States TO the congress OF the American
people that might mean war, when,
with excitement at the very highest
like an electric flash, the word passed
that there would be no message. 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 yester-
day, but no message this week, and
that IL was at least a possibility the
message written and approved might
never go 20 congress at all.
The first reason for delay was that
the administration had received advices
from General Lee, at Havana. indicat-
ing that all Americans could not be
gotten off the island at once and would
be in grave peril II the message pre-
ceded their departure.
The second reason, and perhaps equal
ly potent with the other, slowly drfted
into public comprehension late in the
day, for extreme reticence was main
tained on the subject by the few In
Washington who knew the facts, and
even cabinet officers were unadvised on
the subject. This important news was
that the Spanish government, after
what plainly had been most exciting
times IN inner Spanish circles at Mad
rid, 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 rep
resentations made by the United States
last week, and in order TO avert inn
pending war had decided TO make con-
cessions heretofore refused.
What win be the final outcome II Is
too early to say. but the aspect of af-
fairs certainly Is considerably more pa
ciho and sufficient TO renew the hope
Of the president in solution OF the
Cuban question satisfactory 70 the
American people and achieved without
bloodshed. The details remain to be
worked out but It is expected that be-
tween now and Monday a clearer light
will be thrown on the future by action
at Madrid. Of which one important fea-
ture at least is the declaration OF an
armistice by the queen regent Of Spain.
This armistice. Il is expected, will lead
20 ultimate independence OF Cuba from
Spanish rule, but by what intermediate
steps perhaps even the governing pow
ers do not at this time know. Much. Il
Is supposed, will depend upon the Gu
ban insurgents and the people Of the
United States and Spain.
The powers Of Europe, material and
moral, II II 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 war clouds.
All the capitals OF Europe have been
In communication TO this end. a fact
evidenced by the assemblage at the
British embassy In this city on Tuesday
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 desire Of those who accredited them
70 Washington that they should work
in accord here. this concert. however.
IN the United States not TO 90 beyond a
mild tender of good offices to secure
peace and delay a definite declaration
of war IL hostlities finally became in
evitable Some OF the representatives
assembled at Sir Julian Pauncefotes
may have wished to offer mediation.
but II so were warned against II BY
others IN the conference. who under
stood more clearly that such n proceed
ure would be resented and work to hos
tile and not TO peaceful ends.
The improved condition Of affairs was
reflected throughout all public quarters
late in the day. It was manifested al
the White House. among cabinet on.
GERS and at the embassies and legations
including the Spanish legation. At tn,
latter establishment Senor Polo SAID
that while he could not disclose any O.
the Information reaching him in an on
cial character. yet he felt that tn,
strain OF few hours ago was materi
ally relieved and that the prospects 70,
peace looked much brighter. He in n,
way confirmed nor would he even dis
cuss views entertained in other higl
official quarters that Spain was slowl,
but surely yielding and confined hi
utterances to the general statemen
that conditions were improving
Accompanying the actual develop
ments of the day came a flood of re
ports and rumors OF a sensational char
acter little Of it, however, having an,
authentic basis The rumors of dis
turbance at Havana were not borne GU
by any official advices here.
The uncertainty following a great dis
appointment was the condition existin
at the capitol at the close of the da,
when The expected did not happier
Senators and members were at sea a
70 what was coming next.
While the message was awaite
there came a hurried summons Of lead
ers OF the senate and house to n
White House, and they were there II
formed that the message was TO I
withheld upon information recei,
ed from Consul General Lee. The re,
sons he gave were deemed entirely sa