The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-04-09
Everything Is developed in Uncer.
tainty, and the Only Thing that
Will Prevent War Is a Com.
plete Breakdown on the
Part of Spain.
GEN. LEE CALLED HOME
And All Americans Leaving the Island.
Lee will See Them all Away
Safe Before Leaving.

congress have been giving vent to their
feelings in burning speeches and it has
been only with the greatest difficulty
that Reed has been able to prevent the
house from throwing diplomacy to the
winds and declaring war on Spain.
No less has been the excitement
throughout Spain and the meetings OF
the Spanish cabinet to consider the
conditions have been almost continuous,
while Minister Woodford has been
keeping the cables hot with messages.
Preparations for war have been going
on on both sides of the water and if it
comes to blows both countries will be
prepared for stubborn resistance and it
is well for our people to fix it in their
minds that it will be no pleasure
excursion for US to defeat Spain on the
water.
Nearly If not all of three -fourths of
the amount appropriated by congress
$50, 900, 000-for the use of the president
in the emergency has been contracted
for and the work of purchasing war
vessels abroad and vessels at home to be
converted for use in the navy is still
progressing. Spain would be glad to
purchase many of these vessels, but a
lack of funds is playing havoc with her
plans
On Wednesday the president was to
have sent his message to congress,
which it was understood would mean a
declaration of war, when at the last
moment message was received from
Gen. Lee at Havana asking delay so
that he could get all the Americans out
of Havana. That riots were imminent
and that the Spanish volunteers-a lot
of thugs and cut throats-were only
waiting to hear of war being declared,
when they would. to show their
patriotism, massacre every American
there. Lee stated that it would take
several days to get all of the 1000
Americans out of Havana. Woodford
also cabled at the time to hold the
message if possible that it seemed as
if Spain would make the concessions
asked for. Consequently the message
was held up and will not be presented
until Monday, If at all. Thursday
news was received that the Spanish
cabinet had refused to accede to the
terms Of the U. s. and that Woodford
was about to close the embassy at
Madrid and place American subjects
under the protection of the English
ambassador. Later it was reported that
the senate had adjourned until Monday,
so nothing will be done till then to bring
about war.
1t appears to be simply question of
waiting until Monday for war to come
1t is now stated that the president,
members of his cabinet and his advisors
agree in thinking nothing can save this
country from conflict with Spain.
The only thing that could avert war
would be the complete surrender on the
part of Spain, but such contingency
is not expected. If Spain is contem-
plating such course she has given no
intimation of it. but there are other
pointers coming ont that she will make
counter propositions. The Spanish
cabinet have announced their determin-
alton to adhere to the principles ex-
pressed in their last message to the
legation at Washington.
No proposition will be considered by
President Mckinley, or replied to by
him, unless it contains an offer to
evacuate all of Spain s possessions in the
Western Hemisphere, and no such offer
is expected. 1t is stated ON good
authority that the president, when ask
ing for delay, assured the congressman
and senators that he would accept no
which did not provide for
the independence of Cuba.
On all sides now there is a fretful
anxiety for Monday to come and let the
blow fall.
General Lees reply to the order to
leave Cuba is in keeping with his
courageous conduct throughout the
exciting and dangerous time. He will
be the last American to leave Cuba.
Positive orders were issued to him to
have all the Americans out of Havana
Friday and for him to leave today. His
answer has been received and says that
he can get away and have all the
out ahead of him. 1t is re-
ported he has been summoned before
the senate committee on foreign
relations and is expected Sunday
All the vessels of our feet have been
prepared for orders to go to war. All
the fleets report themselves in readiness
to move at moment notice.
A cable from Madrid states that the
active preparations for war are going
on, and that all persons above IS years
age, eligible to military duty. have been
ordered out.
The story Of riots in Havana is