The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01
MEDIATION OFFER PROBABLE
GERMANY ALLEGED TO HAVE MADE
A DEMAND ON SPAIN.
Views of Ex-President Harrison, Gen.
Lew Wallace, w. j. Bryan and
Others on the Situation.
Associated Press Dispatch.

Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, March S1.--This has been
a day of anxious waiting for SPANS reply
to the demands of the United States con-
tempating the termination 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 unexpected
considerations arose to postpone the issue
further But delay would meet the opposi-
ton of Congress. The gravity of the situa-
ton was felt in all official quarters. 1t was
not a day of rapid development, as when
war preparations were following in rapid
succession, but the tension was even great
er from the uncertainty that prevailed, and
the feeling that Spain would not concede
the complete independence of Cuba.
The White House continued to be
thronged with congressional leaders anx-
ious to learn from the President what his
course was to be. The general view con-
yeyed by these leaders after they had been
with the President, was that he expected
to have definite replies from Spain in time
to present the entire subject to Congress
by next Monday.
The State Department was the center of
interest throughout the day, as it was
there that Minister Woodfords dispatch
announcing Spains attitude was to be re-
ceived. The officials shared in the general
anxiety, but throughout the business LOUIS
of the day no word was received from the
United States minister. Secretary Sherman
left the department at 3 o'clock, saying that
no reply had come up to that time. AT
O'Clock Judge Day, the assistant secretary
started for the White House. in company
with Secretary Long He stated in answer
to an inquiry that no response had been
received from Madrid. He added that he
had hoped to receive the reply this even
ing, but he began to fear that there might
be some delay until tomorrow.
ATTITUDE OF EUROPEANS.
The attitude of European powers con-
tinued to be seriously discussed in official
quarters, as it was felt that an offer of
European mediation was almost certain to
follow war crisis. No distinct offer has
been submitted up to the present moment
In this connection the cable report from
Berlin that Germany was menacing Spain
on an old claim, and was about to make
a naval demonstration in Cuba, attracted
much attention. The. German ambassador,
DR.. Won Holleben, said that he had received
no information as to this rumored move
nor was he acquainted with the case re-
ferred to in the dispatch. The Spanish min
lister does not cHedit the report that Ger
many has taken steps of decisive char
acter. The Spanish ambassador at Berlin
is the father-in-law of the Spanish minister
here and the latter would be quite likely
to know If Germany had made a move in
volvng the dispatch of war ship to Cuba
for punitive purposes. 1t was the general
feeling that if Germany had taken any
q
influence upon the Spanish-American situa-
tion and one seriously prejudicial to Spain.
For this reason it was the opinion of dip
lomats that Germany would not choose
such juncture as the present in order
to make emergency demands in a claim
against Spain.
Said prominent diplomat to-day: Spain
seems to be under the impression that her
national honor forbids her from surrender
ing any part of her colonial domain under
the pressure of the United States There
are, however, precedents showing that Eu-
ropean powers have preserved their dignity
While making similar concessions. 1t may
be remembered that the Ionan islands. q
part of the Turkish empire, were afterward
ceded to Greece by Great Britain and thar
Venetia was not surrendered by Austria di
rectly to Italy, but to France, who trans
Ierred 1t TO the government of Victor
Emanuel.
CONGRESS WILL WAIT
Congress will wait until Monday before
any action is taken. The President has asked
delay until that time, and assurances have
been given by those in charge of AFFAIRS
that there will be nothing done until Mon
day. Both committees of Congress dealing
with foreign affairs were in session to-day.
The Senate committee continued it's exam
ination of the report on the Maine and the
House committee, by party vote, refused
to take any action On Cuba until Monday.
President McKinleys assurances to Con-
gress in regard to the outlook for settle
ment of the Cuban difficulty without war
between this country and Spain are based
on representations made to him by Minister
Woodford. General Woodford thinks, after
repeated conferences with Premier Sagasta
and other members of the Spanish Ministry,
that after to-day's meeting of the Spanish
Cabinet that government, of its own ac-
cord, viii make a proposition to this coun-
try looking to the definite settlement of the
Cuban question. This proposition is ex-
pected to cover three points, as follows
First--That Spain shall send the recon-
centrados back to their homes and supply
them means of sustaining life until normal
conditions can be restored.
Second-That there shall be an armistice
between Spain and Cuba, with the end in
view of securing a settlement of the difficult
ties ard the withdrawal of the Spanish
forces from Cuba
Thrd--In case of a failure of the Cubans
and Spaniards to come to an understanding