The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-29
A RIFT IN THE WAR CL0UE
The Tone Of Spanish Answer Impresses the
President and Cabinet Favorably.
THE DANGER POINT
IN NOT PASSED
WAR Still. POSSIBLE

The Abstract Of the Spanish Naval Commission
is Received. 1t is Directly Opposed to the
Finding of the American Inquiry. European
Mediation is Assuming Tangible Shape;
Spain is Ready and Anxious For It. At the
War and Navy Departments, the Stir OF
Naval Preparations Continues as Usual,
Plans For "MusquitO" Fleet.
Washington. d. c., March 2S.-To-
day has been one of action i'll every
branch of official life. Seldom has a day
been replete with so many diverse ana
important phases of a single subject.
And vet. throughout this activity, the
prevailing tone, as received from admin
istration sources, has been more assur-
ing. more in the line of peace than it
has been for some days. This was the
impression conveyed by Cabinet officers
after the special Cabinet session. Tne
same sentiment characterized the diplo-
matte conferences at the State Depart
ment. But in Congress, which afforded
the greatest field for anti-Spanish aud
war-like expressions, a strain of discon-
tent and uneasiness prevailed after the
Presidents message and the Maine re-
port was submitted, especially on the
House side.
The Presidents message, submitting
the Maine report and accompanying evil
dence was the main event of the day.
Those who had anticipated that the mes
sage would contribute to the aggressive
spirit were disappointed. 1t contained
no surprises.
CABINET REVIEWS MESSAGE.
A special Cabinet session was held
To go over the Presidents message, and
more particularly to consider the develop
mcntS i'm the negotiations now proceed
ing with Spain. These had assumed a.
wide field. embracing not only the Maine
question hut the entire Cuban problem.
The answer of Spain was in hand, to the
firm note sent through Minister Wood
ford last week stating that the condition
of Cuban affairs had become so intolera
bic that the United States could not
much longer remain inactive toward it.
The general tone of the Spanish answer
ficers most favorably. so much so that
after the meeting it was stated by mem
bers that the outlook was far more assuJ,-
ing. and that Spain had shown such a
conciliatory tone that it was believed
she. would make concessions sufficient to
permit an amicable adjustment of the
present strained relations. This was
qualified. however. by the statement that
the danger point has not yet passed, and
that war while no longer a probability,
was yet a possibility.
BERNABE CALLS ON DAY.
Meantime, at the State Department
cablegrams were being received from
Minister Woodford and the Spanish Min
lister. Senor Polo Bernabe, was in
lengthy conference with Judge Day as
to the prospective adjustment The
meeting between the Spanish Minister
and Judge Day came after the Cabinet
conference, so that such representation
as Spain submitted through him did not
get before the Cabinet At least two
of these new phases submitted by the
Minister were OF exceeding importance.
The Spanish government made lit known
that no objection would be made to the
humanitarian objects of the United
states government in extending re- >
lief TO the suffers in Cuba. on a far
greater scale than hitherto had been con-
templated. On the contrary. Spain had
made known that it recognizes the hu- |;
name purposes animating this country
and that it does not doubt that these
purposes will be executed i'm such n way
as to avoid all opportunities for friction /
1T is not expected that the relief will be /
carried in war ships as this would in I
troduce political aspect into a project
which is purely humane. This aco1ries-
cence by Spain clears the way for the
PRESIDENTS message of the next few
days, asking large appropriation for ,
the relief of destitutiOn in Cuba.
SPANISH FINDING RECEIVED. |
Another important Spanish document
which reached the government during
the day was the abstract of the report
of the Spanish Naval Commission
wlnch investigated the destruction of the
Maine.
1t Is the only answer Spain has thus
1ar made to the action of this govern
ment III submitting to Spain through
Minister WoodfOrd, the findings of the :
American court. The conclusions reach
ed by the Spanish Commission are d- |
rectly the opposite of those of the I,
American court No demands have been
made IN connection with the Maine. and |
therefore there is no response beyond the !,
submission of the Spanish report
Following the call of the Spanish
Minister at the State Department. the
French Ambassador. NJ. Cambon. had
conference with Judge Day. This re-
hewed the talk of European mediation.
winch rs assuming tangible form. There
~ good reason to believe Spain is ready
ana anxious for this move, and has been
encouraging it at the European capitals.
AT the War and Navy Departments
the stir of preparations continued as MS
ual. The Navy Department made nIans
for mosquito fleet to be composed of
tugs and steam yachts reeentlv mr.