The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-04
LOSS OF The MAINE
ause of War Say Cong essmen Who
Called on President.

Washington, April 2.-The issue be-
tween the United States and Spain
remains unchanged. No communication
having any bearing upon the situation
has passed between this government anu
Spain since last Thursday night. when
Minister Woodford transmitted the reply
of the Sagasta ministry to the Presidents
props sitions of two weeks ago. both
governments appear to accept the issue as
made up and are shaping their course &C
cordingly. The view Is generally enter
tanned even by representative men OF the
administration that Congress, upon re-
CENT of the Presidents message early
next week will take action which, 1t IS
expected, must result in Il severance OF
the relation of the two countries. This
was in part foreshadowed by the action
of the Senate Committee on Foreign Re-
lations today in agreeing to resolution
favorable to the independence of Cuba
and armed intervention if necessary to
secure independence. With the crisis SO
near at hand, it is believed that II any
European Intervention or mediation is TO
come it will come within the next few
days. 1t was said, however, at the state
Department late this afternoon that no
offer of European mediation had yet been
officially transmitted to this government.
1t was the general understanding that
friendly oyertures of this nature were
looked for at any time from France and
Austria and it was reported during the
day that the presence in Washington OF
Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland
| was ID connection with mediation from
| Rome, but it was stated on Sigh authori-
| ty at the State Department that no over
ture of this character had taken official
| form nor was the State Department ad
vised that any such steps were in coDtem-
| plation.
| 1t is the understanding in official cir
cles that the recognition of Cuban indie
pendence should not in itself be regarded
by Spain as casus belli, but there is
little doubt that such recognition OF
Cuban independence would be followed
by the withdrawal of the Spanish minis
ter, Senior Polo Bernabe, and his entire
suite from Washington and the termina'
ton of SPANS diplomatic representation
in Washington. Such withdrawal is one
of the last steps preceding actual recourse
to war. 1t is probable that the with
drawal of the Spanish minister, following
the recognition of independence would
not be an indication of war AS II
would be an emphatic protest by the
Spanish government against the recog
milton OF the independence of Spanish
colony. This recognition. however. il
viewed in diplomatic quarters as steI
which would have consequences inevita
bly, terminating in war.
| The Spanish minister continues to pre-
serve his outward calm, although he feel
that the relations are extremely strained
and that his stay in Washington may moi
be long continued. To some of his dip
| lomatic associates who called today he
| said that his conscience was perfectly
clear, as he thought that SPANS cause
was a Just one, and for this reason he fell
no agitation His position Is trying
one, however, as the Spanish legation has
been subjected to number of petty in
dignities within recent days. They have
not been called to the attention of th'
government officials, although police
officers were detailed to see that the
offenses were not continued