Fair play., 1898-04-02
MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
Negotiations Between the American
Government and that of Spain
Tending Toward Peace.
M'KINLEY WILL GIVE SPAIN A CHANCE.

He Thinks an Armistice Can he Arranged
that Will Result in Ending the War in
Cuba-The Situation, However, Very
Delicate One and Requiring Careful
Handling.
WASHINGTON. March 2s-The devel-
opments of the day in Ike Cuban sltua-
tirn indicate steady progress in the
negotiations between the government
of this country and that OF Spain look
ing 10 the maintenance of peace, for
the present at least. There Is good
authority for saying that Spain's pres
ent wish is to secure cessation or
hostilities in Cuba rather than to en-
page in a war with the United States,
and that it is more than probable
that the negotiations between the
government of the United States and
the Sagasta ministry will take that
turn in the immediate future. Inc
present Spanish ministry has professed
a pacific disposition from the begin
ming, and the indications are strong
now that it will avail itself of the
good offices of the United States to the
fullest extent that public opinion in
Spain will allow in bringing to an end
the hostilities in Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may go in assisting Spain in her pres
ent design of securing an arInistice Is
not vet determined. but the conserva
tive element in the administration CON
slider the manifestation of this desire
ON the part of Spain for even
temporary peace direct re
suit of President NckInley's di-
pIomacy, and they are naturally
disposed to contend that the president
should be left free, for the present at
least, to pursue policy which promises
much in the way of preventing war
between this country and Spain. ana
also of bringing to close the hostili'
ties in Cuba. Hence there will be an
effort on the part Of the peacefully in
clined in congress to continue to hold
that body in check and to prevent in
fammatory utterances there until this
diplomatic lead may be exploited.
On the part of the admin ration it
is stated that the development of the
situation will not require a great
length of time. and hence that there
will be no extended delay. \ policy
has been fully determined upon by the
president 1t is to bring the Cuban
war to a close. This will be accom-
plished by pointed intervention. il
necessary. but it is considered far pref
errablc that the end should cvf:,s as
the result OF peaceful negotiations
than that it should be accompanied by
hostile demonstrations ON the part OF
the United StSes Hence the disposi
tion of the president is to give Spain
fair opportunity to secure an armistice
with the Cubans and to allow her
reasona bic time in which to come to an
understanding with the insurgents.
1t can be stated upon high authority
that there has been no abatement OF
the presidents intention to see that
the war is terminated when it is thus
closed upon terms that will render the
Cubans practically n free people. 1t is
not believed that they would accept
anything less. nor that Americans
would be satisfied if we should encour-
age settlement that would not be ac-
ceptablc to the Cubans.
If there should now be an armistice
| it would be with the concessions made
by Spain at the instance of this coun-
! try that negotiations should be opened
| immediately with the insurgents look
! ing to the establishment of perma'
| nent peace upon these terms.
| 1t has long been the hope of the adj
ministration to bring Spain to the
| point of making propositions OF this
| character as the basis of 4 settlement
most satisfactory to all parties. and it
is'hoped from Spain's attitude that this
I time has arrived.
! The friends of the administration
| feel that the situation is very deli
| cate one. and that much will depend
. upon the course congress may pursue.
: In the meantime the president Will. on
, Wednesday. send his message asking
| that an appropriation be made for the
| aid of the destitute Cubans.