The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-01

Washington, ID. c., March 31.-This
has been a day of anxious waiting for
Spain's reply to the demands Of the
United States contemplating the ter
mination of the war in Cuba, and the in
dependence of the island. On that rerly
it was universally believed, the issue be-
tween peace or war would he decided,
unless some new and unexDcesed con-
siderations arose to postpone the mat
ter further, but delay would meet the
oppoeitioil OF Congress. The gravity OF
the situation was felt in all official quart
ers. 1t was not day of rapid develop
nent, as when war preparations We're
following in rapid succession. but the
tension was even greater from the un-
certainty that prevailed, and the feeling
that Spain would not concede the com
plete independence of Cuba.
The White House continued to be
thronged with Congressional leaders,
anxious TO learn from the President
what his course was to be. The general
view conveyed by these leaders, after
they had been with the President, was
that he expected 10 have definite replies
from Spain in time TO present the entire
subject to Congress by next Monday.
The State Department was the centre
of interest throughout the day, as it was
there that Minister Woodford's dispatch
announcing Spain's attitude, was to be
received.
At o'clock Judge Day. the assistant
Secretary, started for the White House,
I'M company with Secretary Long. He
stated in response to an inquiry that no
reply had been received from Madrid
He added that he had hoped to receive
the reply this evening, but he began to
fear that there might be some delay un-
til tomorrow.
The attitude of the European powers
continued to be seriously discussed in
official quarters. as it was felt an offer
of European mediation was almost GER
tain TO follow a war crisis. No distinct
offer has been submitted up to the pres
cnt moment In this connection, the ca
bic report from Berlin that Germany
was menacing Spain on an old claim
and was about to make a naval demon
.stration in Cuba, attracted much atten-
tiou The German Ambassador, DIR
Eon Holleben. said that he had received
no information as to this reported move
nor was he acquainted with the Gamma.
maba case referred TO in the dispatch
The Spanish Minister is also unacquaint
cd with the cannamcba case and does
not credit the report that Germany naS
taken steps of decisive character.
1t was general feeling that II Ger
many had taken any such acton IL Wouls
nave most decided influence upon fht
Spanish American situation and one So
rlously prejudicial to Spain. For tins
reason it was the opinion of diplomae
that Germany would not choose such Z
juncture as the present in order to make
emergency demands in claim against
Spain
Said prominent diplomat to-ray:
Spain seems to be under the impres
sion that her national honor forbids hcI
from surrendering part of her colonia
domain under the pressure of the Uni
ted States. There are, however, prece.
dnts showing that European powers have
preserved their dignity while making
similar concessions. 1t may be remem
hered that the Ionian islands. n part ot
the Turkish Empire, were afterward co
led to Greece by Great Britain. and
that Venetia was not surrendered by
Austria directly TO Italy but to France
who transferred it TO the government
of Victor Emanuel"
Congress will wait till Monday befor,
action is taken. The President has ask
cd delay until that time and assurance.
have been given by those in charge o
affairs that there will be nothing don,
until then.
The most important action taken b,
the Navy Department to-day wa,