Evening journal., 1898-03-28
RATHER THAN FIGHT US
But the Madrid Press Seems In a
BeIligerent Mood,
VERAGUAS OPINION OF M'KINLEY
Tho President and Cabinet Ministers
Hold an Informal Conference at the
white House to Discuss HIaino
Disaster and Cuba.

WASHINGTON, March 28.-The de-
velopments Of the day in the Cuban
situation showed steady progress In the
negotiations between the government
of this country and that OF Spain look
ing TO tho maintenance Of peace for
the present at least. There Is good au-
thority for saying that Spain's present
wish Is 10 secure a cessation OF HOSTILE
ties In Cuba rather than TO engage in
war with the United States and that II
is mo~e than probable that the neSO-
tiatons between the government Of the
United States and the Sagasta ministry
will take that turn In the immediate
future. The present Spanish ministry
has professed pacific disposition from
the beginning, and the indications are
strong now that IL viii avail itself of
the good offices Of the United states TO
the fullest extent that public opinion In
Spain viii allow in bringing to an end
the hostllitles in Cuba.
To what extent the United States may
go In assisting Spain in her present de-
sign Of securing an armistiee is not yet
determined. but the conservative ela-
ment In the administration considers the
manifestation Of tkls desire on the part
of Spain for even a temporary peace a
direct result of President McKlnley's
diplomacy and they are naturally dis
posed TO contend that the president
should be left free, for the present at
least. 20 pursue a policy which promises
much In the way of preventing war be-
tween this country and Spain and also
of bringing to a close the hOstilltles IN
Cuba. Hence there viii be an effort on
the part OF the peacefully inclined In
congress to continue to hold that body
IN check and TO prevent inhammatory
utteranoes there until this promising
diplomatic lead may be exploited.
on the part OF the administration Il
IS said that the development OF the sit
uation 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
IL Is TO bring the Cuban war TO a close.
This will bo accomplished by pointed
Intervention IL necessary, but It IS con-
sldered far preferable that the end
should come as the result Of peaceful
negotiation than that II should be ac-
companied by hostile demonstratidns
on tho part OF the United States.
Hence the disposition OF the president
Is TO give Spain fair opportunity TO
secure an armistice with the Cubans
and to allow her a reasonable time in
which to come TO an understanding with
the insurgents
It can be stated upon high authority
that there has been no abatement OF
tho presidents intention 20 see that the
war IS Terminated, when II is closed, up
on terms that Will render the Cubans
practically a free people. II is not believ-
ed that they would accept anything less
or that the American people would be
satisfied if we should encourage a set
tlement that would not be acceptable
TO the Cubans. II there should now be
an armistice, it would be with the con-
cession made by Spain at the instance
oc this country that negotiations should
be opened Immediately with the insur-
gents looking TO the establishment of a
permanent peace upon these terms. II
has long been the hope Of the admins
tration to bring Spain 10 the point OF
making propositions of this character
as the basis OF a settlement most sat
isfactory to all parties, and II is hoped
from Spain's attitude that this time has
arrived
The friends of the administration fee
that the situation is a very delicate on,
and that much will depend upon tn,
course congress may pursue In III,
meantime the president win on wednes
day send In his message asking that al
appropriation be made for the aid O
the destitute Cubans.