The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-09

passed in Washington with not ripple
on the surface either at the White House
or the capital to show that the United
States is on the brink of war. Both
houses of Congress adjourned unit! Mon
day and at the executive mansion there
was no rush of eager and excited public
men, but Sunday quiet atmosphere.
At only the war and navy departments
were there signs Of an impending con-
fict, in the rush Of orders to a host of
naval officers to report at once for duty
on vessels to (which they We're assigned
and in conferences among bureau chisfs
on details of war preparations. AND the
resolve was frmer than ever that unless
Spain yielded. to the United States de-
mands in regard to CUBA, the United
States by force Of arms would move on
Havana. 1t was the very recognition o.
the tixity of this purpose that caused the
dav to be in marked contrast with the,
excitement of all its predecessors OF late.
There was still some discussion OF CUBAN
affairs, but it only served to emphasize
the fact that one forward step OF I'M
mense Importance had been taken AS the
yention and the freedom of Cuba, from
Sranish dominion, but the obligation and
duties that might be imposed upon the
United States after we had expelled pain
from tho island. This discussion re-
yolved around two propositions, namely,
intervention without recognition OF ma
tional independence of the Cuban lnsur-
gents and Intervention with the concur
rent recognition of the independence OF
the present insurgent government OF
Cuba. Some public men lowered between
these two propositions and fay ored o COM
nronise. There was no definite 1nd1ca-
tion of which course would be adopted,
hut the unsettled state of public opinion
on the matter indicated that the events
of the next few days, the strength of the
arguments of the forthcoming Presiden-
tiaI message or distinct utterance from
our Consul General to Cuba might be
strong enough to incline the balance to
eiter course.
The cabinet held it's usual Friday ses-
sion. but its meeting brought no change
in the Spanish situation. Indeed it was
chiefly significant in establishing the fact
that no change had occurred, that none
was expected and that the programme OF
action on the part of the United States
government was already made up. The
Presidents message remains unaltered
and this being the last cabinet day before
the message will go to Congress, altara-
tions are unlikely between now and
Monday, barring altogether unexpected
DEVELOPMENTS from Madrid. After the
meeting, cabinet officers stated that the
message would he sent to Congress 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 eyentful held in recent days was
another evidence of the feeling enter
tanned by the administration that the
case is male up and nothing now re-
mains to be done but to present the sub
iect tn Congress and await the final out
come there. The feeling that an end
had come to diplomatic talk and that act
ion alone remained, was shared in all
nuarters. including the foreign embassies
and legations where the ambassadors
and ministers expressed the feeling that
all had been done in Washington that
could or would be done in the cause of
peace. What is going on at Madrid gives
Slight hope of such concessions thereas
will alter the present situation. There
are negotiations in the sanse Of ex
changes, on pending propositions. Both
pal ties, apparently have said their last
word concerning the respective propo-
sitions. Certainly this is true as to the
United States and there was 10 evidence
today that the Spanish government
would recede. 1t is oven doubtful wheth-
er concession of an arIaistice ty Spain
would be sufficient Mt this late moment
to turn the situation into peaceful chan
nels.
Preparations for all eventualities are
being hurried to completion. Gen. Lee
will leave Havana tomorrow, probably
on the small naval vessel Fern now in
Havana harbor, although it was said at
the state department that he might take
one of the Plant line of steamers. At
that time, also, the other United States
consuls and most of the Amer lean citi-
zens residing in Cuba will be out of the
island. Official reports received here to-
day stated that large numbers of Ameri-
cans We're leaving on the several steamers
from Havana and other ports. Entire
quiet has prevailed there UP to this time.
The United States consul at Porto Rico
is also preparing to leave No instruc-
tiops, it is stated definitely, have been