Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-29
WITH THE PRESIDENT
False Reports Of Discussions in the
Cabinet.
SUPPORTED BY HIS ASSOCIATES
Accurate Statement of the Situa-
ton.
A CRISIS IN A WEE K

satisfied with the record Of William Nc
Klnley when 1t is made up and presented
to them"
Two cabinet members made this assertion
to a Star reporter at the close of the meet
ing at the White House today. Secretary
Bliss added these words, and what he said
was sanctioned by Secretaries Gage, Alger
and others: There is absolutely no foun-
detion for the stories that there is any diff
ferencesof opinion in the cabinet. Every
member stands with the President. The
message he sent in yesterday is approved,
and we believe that what he Is now doing
will receive the approval of the country"
Another cabinet officer said that not only
will the record Of the President he ap-
proved when it is made public. but that
history will approve it.
Cabinet in Harmony.
Secretary Alger gave to Star reporter
the following statement:
so far from there being any difference
Of opinion among the members of the cab
met, they are all in hearty accord with the
President, and have been without a single
exception. When he read to them yester-
day his message on the Maine there was
rot a dissenting voice nor a suggestion of
change 1t commanded the approval of
every member. How could the President
have said more? He gave Congress the
report at once, and stated that he had
forwarded it to Spain and is awaiting her
reply.
He must take enc step at time. 1t
nay be said further that there reed be no
fear that he will not take the next. He
has not lost a moment in presenting not
only the Maine incident but the whole
situation to Spain. The country can we'll
afford to await the result of the negotia-
tions. which will be promptly made known
whatever the result"
Armistice Not Proposed.
On the information of three cabinet off,
Gals the positive statement can be made
this afternoon that the situation is as fol-
Low 8:
Spain has made 10 actual proposition to
this country about agreeing to an armistice
with the view of giving TO the insurgents
arother form of government
President Mckinley has not accepted any
srch proposition on behalf of this country.
No actual propositions of any kind have
been made. but the most rapid cores
pondence is in progress, each government
feeling the other. The correspondence is
nearing a point where propositions will
have to be definitely made by one Or the
other of the governments.
Minister Woodford held a conference at
4 o'clock this afternoon Madrid time) with
Sagasta. and the President is expecting
every minute to hear the result of that
conference.
Crisis Within n Week.
Within a week the negotiations in pro-
gress will either have reached a point CIR
there will have been split which will
hasten war. although the outlook is good
now for some understanding.
When the President has acted as he
thinks best. he will submit the whole mat
ter to Congress and leave that body to
take whatever action 1t sees fit. If it does
not care to approve what he has done, he
will not regret that the responsibility has
left his shoulders. 1t may not be over ten
days before the President will be able to
give to Congress the correspondence that
has passed and is now passing.
The foregoing is absolutely the situation
as it exists at the White House and in the
cabinet.
COuntry's Approval Expected.
The ccEfident expressions used by cabinet
members that the country will approve
what the President is doing is regarded
as significant, because those same cabinet
officers know what the sentiment of the
country is. They know that the people
want to sac Cuba free. Secretary Alger.
universally regarded as the best friend in
the cabinet of the struggling patriots, tells
the same thing. as the other members.
1t is not denied that the "feelers" sent
out by Spain to President Mckinley have
suggested something in the nature Of an
armistice. but 1t is believed that the Presi-
dent has not favorably considered any
proposition for an armistice Of eight
months. or six months, or even of three
months He may agree to some kind of a
cessation of hostilities.
There i3 an impression in cabinet circles
that all the "feelers'' being put out by
Spain have but one end-the submission
of Spain to the desires Of the United States
In other words. Spain is yielding gradually.
Like great game of chess she1s putting
up the best fight she can, knowing that her
adversary must win. If the President and
cabinet are being played on in this belief,
it will not be good for Spain in the end.
Significant Remark.
Spain cannot be asked to take her bag
gage and move out of Cuba by tomorrow" In
the reticance CT the day about talking over
the cabinet session this remark left the
lips Of a cabinet officer without his think
ing Of the significance to be given to it.
If 1t does not mean that slowly, but surely,
this government intends to push Spain off
the island. 1t can mean nothing. It was
rot dropped Intentionally. This was ap-
parent. 1t was evidently not intended to
deceive or to be of Importance.
Cabinet officials admit that the feeling in
Congress is known to them. They also
krow that it Is strong. but they say that
IL Congress is not satisfied when the record
is made up 1t will have the opportunity of
changing that record. There Is no doubt
that President Mckinley has decided to
give Congress a chance to act. He prob
ably realizes that 1t will not wait much
longer, and he has no desire to be consid-
cred as standing in its way. He win first
do what he thinks best for the country and
win then dump the matter upon the shoul-
ders Of Congress. to be approved or dis
approved.
Spain appears to have agreed that we
can feed the cubans all we DESIRE but It
Is not known what wifi be the outcome Of
this. All the suggestions submitted by
Spain are yet In the air. It IL thought