The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-02

Washington, April There is little
doubt that the president and the men,
bers of his cabinet now regard a con-
fiict with Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message TO congress, which in
all probability will be sent in next
Monday, and certainly early next week,
it is understood that the president will
review at some length the record as it
stands between this government and
Spain. but viii not insist upon further
time in which to continue negotiations
looking to a peaceful solution of the
Cuban problem.
The cabinet meeting this morning
was unQuestionably the most important
held in many years. It received SPANS
answer to the ultimatum of this gov
eminent. and. finding it unsatisfactory,
practically decided upon a policy which
at this hour seems certainly to involve
hOstilities. q
TO BE LAID BEFORE CONGRESS.
The whole record will be laid before
congress, and the question is now I'M
der earnest consideration of what shall
be the particular form our policy shall
take in bringing to an end the horrors
in Cuba and securing the independence
of the island. Propositions ranging
from a simple recognition of Cuban in
dependence to a Straight-Out declara-
ton of war have been urged at the cap
itol, but there is hardly a doubt that
the majority of congress await tie
executive lead before taking action,
and are disposed to adopt Mr.. McKin-
ley's suggestions on this point. 1t is
thought that any Of the resolutions,
except possibly simple recognition of
independence, would lead to war.
Thara of a of
rumors in circulation, including reports
of mediation by some European powers
but no such suggestion has come to
this government. for as late as > O'Clock,
in response to a direct question, As
sistant Secretary Day said that there
had been no offer of mediation by any
foreign government.
DIPLOMACY EXHAUSTED.
One member of the cabinet. in speak
ms Of the meeting today, spoke sub
stantially as follows:
In the morning it was apparent to
al of us that. having exhausted all
diplomatic efforts to bring about bet
ter condition of affairs in Cuba, and
they having failed, the whole question
must be submitted to congress. At our
afternoon meeting the president re-
quested each member of the cabinet to
express freely his individual opinion as
sion was entirely on the lines indicated
by the members. Nothing definite was
decided upon and no conclusions
reached. The president viii now take
the views submitted to him under con-
sideration preparatory to his message
20 congress, which will be sent early
next week.
President Mckinley has done a great
deal of work recently, and appears /
pretty well fatisued. Consequently he
will take some little rest before begin
ming work on the message. He has not
yet determined what recommendation
will be communicated to congress. My
own individual opinion is that but little
faith can be put in promises made by
Spain, and this makes me hesitate
about accepting with any confidence
her latest proposals.
NO FAITH IN SPAIN.
I'm the first place. she promised a |
long time ago that the reconcentrados !
would he released. The result shows |
his promise has not been kept Now |
she proposes to release them, but keep |
hem under military supervision. Who |
AN tell whether she will adhere to this !
expressed intention? Broadly, there 1
appears to be three courses open to the /
president in dealing further with this |
matter. The first of these is to accept |
The proposals submitted by Spain in /
,eply to the American representations. 1
he second, TO relegate the whole matter |
10 congress and let that body do .as /
L seems proper-which l think would |
mean intervention-and thirdly, to take |
middle stand. But as I said before.
nothing has yet been determined upon |
oy the president, or if he has reached a /
iecision. he did not communicate it
he members of the cabinet this after
aoon.
CoLD-BLoODED STATEMENT
Eyes, reference was made by Spain to
he Maine matter in the reply she sent
through Minister Woodford. She made
40 offer to pay for the loss, but sug-
sested that the matter be settled by ar
bitration. So far as 1 recall she ex-
pressed no regret for the sad occur
.ence and the whole thing was regard
ID as a cold-blooded statement"
The second session of the cabinet.i
asted from o'clock till $40.
The Spanish minister called at the
state department at 4:30 o'clock and
was in conference with Judge Day for
some time Altogether there was the
strictest reserve as to what had oc-
CURED, il car be stated positively that |
The United States submitted no fur
Their propositions. nor did the Spanish
offer anything which changed
the situation of affairs.
THE ISSUE MADE UP.
Both sides. regard the issue as made
up with no likelihood of further nego-
tiations between now and the time
when the president will submit the
whole case 10 congress. The United
States has presented its demand and
Spain has given her answer. Thus the
ease stands. While this brings 4 halt
to the active negotiations which have
been in progress for the last few days.
il does not mean that diplomatic rela-
tons between the TWO countries are
tern mated, for such a step is the last
preliminary before an actual state of
war United States Minister Wood
IS said 10 be entirely safe from harm
Ihs Spanish minister also remains at
lis post at Washington.
-onl the Spanish standpoint. there is
Lha saIno disposition IS that shown b. 1