New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-04
CONGRESS COOLING DOWN.
NAY NOT DECLARE FOR WAR.
THE OUTLOOK IS REGARDED AS MORE
HOPEFUL FOR PEACE.
PRESIDENT MKINLEY's MESSAGE NOT LIKELY
TO BE SENT IN BEFORE WEDNESDAY OR
THJRsDAy-A CALMER TONE PRE-
vA1LING IN BOTH HOUSES
OFFERS OF MEDIATION
fnY IELEGRAPH TO TILE TRIDrNE.I

OFFERS OF MEDIATION
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUSE1
Washington. April 3-Events to-day have
strengthened the feeling that Congress can be
and will be dissuadcd from making Spain's an
swcr OF Thursday last to this cOuntry's demands
for the restoration Of peace and order In Cuba
the occasion OF an immediate declaration Of war
The first Impetus TO violent rupture or reia-
tions with Spain. and to military Intervention 10
end the horrors OF the struggle in Cuba. which
the Inadequate and unsatisfactory reply or the
Sagasta Cabinet evoked. has in a measure
spent itself and the two branches OF Congress
show decidedly hopeful signs OF n disposition
TO weigh with calmness the reasons for ana
against the instant abandonment Of diplomacy
as a means u settling the Cuban problem and
the resort instead 10 armed force.
WEIGHING THE CONSEQUENCES.
Both houses have in the last three days been
brought face to face with the tremendous con-
sequences. moral and material, Involved IN
declaration OF hosttles. and are the less IN
ciined to push the country by immediate leelS-
la;iye action lightly and nippantly over the
brink of war This calmer mood, which brier
but opportune legislative recess has done much
to encourage. is likely to be confirmed and
strengthened by the inability OF the President
TO transmit to Congress the recent correspond
ence with Spain. with his accompanying recon-
mendations before Wednesday next
The vital Importance OF the Message and the
necessity Of dealing in 1t at length with Spanish
relations for the last three years have imposed
on President Mckinley task which he scarcely
hopes to accomplish before Wednesday; and
there Is even n chance that he may not finish
this notable and exhaustive state paper until
Thursday next. II In the mean time inhamma-
tory and alarmist sentiment in Congress con-
tinues to subside. II seems reasonable 10 expect
that the two houses Will reflect most seriously
! before deciding to throw diplomacy and media
tion to the winds and to declare war to be the
only honorable and feasible means Of securing a
humane and orderly administration OF Cuban
affairs.
NEED FOR IIASTY ACTION REMOVED.
Pres, lent McKinley's decision 10 spend an
extra day or two in preparing his Message was
not reached until after the news had come that
the Spanish torpedo-boat notllla had stopped
NJ the Cape Verd Islands and could. there
fore be no longer regarded as menacing the
safcty Of the American fleets al Hampton Roads
/ or Key West. The announcement to-day from
Madrid that the torpedo boats would be held at
81 Vincent and would not attempt the Journey
/ ac.oss 70 Porto Rico removed IN the opinion Of
/ the President all military necessity for an I'M
/ mediate declaration OF hostilites. and more
than ever imposed on the Administration and
! Congress the duty ~ avoiding premature and
over-hasty steps toward war.
with the Spanish naval forces scattered in
widely dlIcron, parts u :he Atlantic. the safety
= th.s couutrys shores or Hects could in no
+ ssuse bc said 30 20 threatened and The urgency
for prompt and decisive aciion. which the Naval
Hoard 90 strategy had for a week past been
dwclr; IN. hal suddenly and completely dis
. appeared
Tqual.v pacific In rs cTec' was the additional
announcement from Madrid that The squadron
gathered ~ Cad'z would not for the present
leave Spanish waters thus removing another
element of disquiet and apprehension from the
+ inira ~ point - view For II. hs both these
announcements Indicated. Spain WAS plainly
neither prepared nor preparing for a naval con-
nlci. her Government could scarcely be held 10
bc contemplating The certainty or even the prob
ability II war. and counting with confidence
either on stavng N an open issue by further
political concessions or by obtaining the friendly
mediation = some other Power
OFFERS OF MEDIATION MADE.
Tina, some definite offers Of mediation have
been pressed on both Spain and the United
States within the last day or two there can be
10 doubt II is understood the Austrian Minis
ter here has had AZ least o. interview with the
President In which the adylsability Of renewing
! negotiations AT the instance and with the
| friend aid OF other Governments was suggested:
ana Il is believed that the Austrian diplomat
gave definite assurances 10 President Mckinley
that the Emperor Of Austria Hungary had been
bringing all his influence to bear on the Queen
Regent 20 offer such further political conccs-
sions 10 the people Of cuba AS would bring the
In tel nd 10 IN n n
ncr wholly satisfactory to the United states.
The Pope is also understood 10 have advised
the Spanish Government to make any honorable
sacrInccs I'm cuba necessary TO avoid war with
this country. and ls represented in Madrid dis
ratchcs as Offering his aid to bring about a
peaceful settlement Of the Cuban problem
THE PROSPECT FRIGHTENING.
Many observers here find In these recent
turns I'm the situation substantial proof that
relations between Spain and the United States
havn not reached the point where peace Is TO
be despaircd o. and with n firm, sagacous and
high minded Executive ready to impress on
Congress the duty Of cxhausting all other hon
oralde means before resorting To war TO secure
American ends in Cuba the prospect may be
said to he brighter tonight than 1t has been
since Thursday last for averting any impulsiVe
legislative action designed To precipitate nos
tilitics with or without serious consideration or
the Nations true motives FOR war with spain. or
a sober balancing or the struggle ; po"'iVa' anu
other consequences.
NO CONFERENCES WITH POLO.
THE SPANISH MINISTER HAS NOT BEEN AT THE
srArr DEPARTMENT SINCE FRIDAY
washington. April 3-sehor Polo De Bernabe.
the Spanish Minister, and his stan had ousS
I.f,,. do