The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-04-14


United States is on the brink of war.
Both houses of congress had adjourned
until Monday, and at the executive
mansion there was no rush of eager
and excited public men. but Sunday
nuiet atmosphere At only the war
and navy departments were there
signs of an impending conflict in the
rush Of immediate orders to a hos of
naval officers to report at once for
duty on vessels to which they were as
sigEed and in conferences among bu-
reau chiefs on details of war prepara-
tionS. And yet, the resolve was firm
or than ever that unless Spain yielded
70 Americas Cuban demands the
United States, by force of arms, would
move on Havana. 1t was the very
recognition Of the tiyity of this purpose
that caused the day TO be
In Marked Contrast
TO The excitement of all its prcdeces.
sorS Of late. There was still some dis
cuSSiOn of Cuban affairs, but il only
served to emphasize the fact that one
forward step of immense importance
had been taken, COR the discussion was
of an advanced stage, and concerned
net intervention and freedom of Cuba
cations and duties that might be in,-
posed upon the United States after
we had expelled Spain from the island.
This discussion revolved two provost
tons. namely. Intervention without
recognition of national independence
Of the Cuban insurgents, and interven-
ton with concurrent recognition Of the
independence of the present insurgent
government Of Cuba. Some public
men lowered between these two prop
Ositons and favored compromise.
The cabinet held its usual Friday ses-
sion, but Its meeting brought no
change in the Spanish situation. In
deed, il was
Chiefly Significant
in establishing that no change had &C.
cured, that none was expected and
| that the programme of action on the
part of the United States government
vas already made up. The presidents
Message remains unaltered. and this
being the last cabinet day before the
message will go To congress. altera-
tons are unlikely between now ana
Monday, barring altogether uneXpect'
ed developments from Madrid. After
the meeting cabinet officers stated that
on Monday, no change in that respect
having been considered and all causes
for delay having been removed. The
calmness Of the cabinet meeting, which
was one of the most uneventful held in
recent days, was another evidence OF
the feeling entertained by the admins
tratlon that the case Is made up and
That nothing now remains to be done
N hn IN
and await the final outcome there.
The feeling that an end had come to
diplomatic talk, and that
Action Alone Remained.
was shared in all quarters. including
lhe foreign embassies and legations,
where the ambassadors and ministers
expressed the feeling that all has been
zone In Washington that can or would
De donehin the cause Of peace. What
is going on at Madrid gives slight
nope Of such concessions there as will
diter the present situation. There
are no negotiations, in the sense Of ey-
changes. on pending propositions. Both
parties apparently have said their last
word concerning the respective propo-
Sltons. Certainly this is true as to the
United States, and there were no evil
uehces that the Spanish government
would recedc. 1t is even doubtful
whether 2 concession of an armistice
oy Spain would be sufficient at this
laSt moment to turn the situation into
peaceful channels. Preparations for
all erentualities are being hurried TO
completion. Gen. Lee will leave Ha-
'hna today. Entire
Quiet Has Prevailed
Inere up TO this time. The United
states consul at Poro Rico Is also pre-
pairing to leave. No instructions, it is
stated definitely, have been sent to
minister Woodford concerning his
WIthdrawal from Madrid. that being
leit to his discretion. The prospects
Vi his withdrawal have been fully
considered, however, and there is rea-
SON 70 believe that in the event of his
,eslirement the British ambassador at
Madrid will look after American inter
estS ana afford protection to such
q aiherlcans as remain i'm Spain The
spanish minister at Washington has
.ecelVed no instructions as to his de-
parture, nor has he made preparations
" go although his establishment is in
such condition that he could leave
within few hours after receiving |
Vh'uerS from his government to depart. |
ti no an evidence of the complete cessa-
n mon OF negotiations it can be cited |
yesterday closed the seventh consecu-
onn r gay since the Spanish minister |
and naval
''parntiOns Are Proceeding |
% dramatically. but the larger details |
N preparation have been shaped ana |
mere IL little more IN 40 than IN ace