Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-03-31

and the cabinet divided ATTENTION yes
terday on the Spanish situation III
congress the feeling which began to
take form after the president $ con-
seryative and pacific message on the
Maine report submitted Monday found
open expression yesterday in resolu-
tions proposing declaration OF war,
recognition of the independence Oh
Cuba and armed intervention, and
other decisive and warlike speeches
against Spain and in the conference VI
republicans having for their object the
overrruling of the speaker II necessary
to get prompt action. Both on the floor
in the cloak rooms, in the lobbles ana
In the corridors there was little elsa
discussed than the lban SITUATION
and the Maine disA -. Every sena-
tor and member ~ furnished copy
of the testir ony sent to congress anu
every pers a who could procure
COPY read the printed pages, IL was
generally acknowledged that a serl-
GUS condition had arisen and that
crisis would soon be at hand. IL IS
the opinion of some of the conserVa-
tive members that in day or two the
feeling will subside and that the
members will not be so agitated'
Much depends upon the next few days
That congress will not long remain
inactive if some decided action Is not
taken by the administration is GER
tain. 1t is also true that the talk OF an
armistice has caused a great deal or
ill-feeliug. The day closed with the
prospect that the committees to whom
was rpferred the Maine correspon-
dence will act soon, possibly before
the end of the week.
The cabinet meeting yesterday de-
yeloped nothing new. The president
remains steadfast in his convictions
as to what is his duty and averse
criticism, which it is asserted is main
ly due to misinformaton as to the SIT
uation or ignorance of the president
purposes, will not be permitted TO
swerve him in the least degree from
the course that he has planned. AS
already stated the president some
DAYS ago made peremptory demand
upon Spain to put an end Immediately
to hostilities in Cuba, release the con-
centrados and permit them to return
to their homes and resume their oc-
equations unmolested. This state
ment is made by unquestionable au-
thority, and since the demand was
communicated to Spain, the president
has not taken step backward or
allowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying it in the least particular.
SPANS final reply to this demand, 1t
is known, is now receiving the earn
est consideration of the authorities
at Madrid and the final reply may be
reasonably expected within the next
few days. Should these demands be
rejected there is the highest authority
for the statement that the president
will not hesitate a moment as to his
future course, but would Immediately
lay the whole record before congress
and be guided by it's instructions. AS
a preliminary step toward peace it has
been proposed to Spain, though this
last proposition has not taken the
shape of demand, that Spain with
draw her troops from the island and
that the Cubans be given their indie
pendence on basis of indemnity that
may be regarded as just amount by
the United States and other nations
of the world, and fair to both con-
tending parties.
The question of an armistice has
not been agreed to by either this coun-
try or Spain, though there is no
doubt that Spain mas suggested an
armlstice. What terms of peace will
be acceptable to the president cannot
be stated, but it is asserted that no
proposition Will be considered that
does not involve partial if not actual
Independence of the Cubans. There is
Httle doubt that France Is ready to
tender its good offices as mediator be-
tween the UnUed States and Spain ii
any intimatlon is conveyed by this
country that such offices would be &C.
cepted. Without such animation it is
doubtful whether F. ance would take
the initiative. In diplomatic circles it
is pointed out that the interests of
France, both material and sentimental,
are in favor of avoidance of war.
The army and navy departments
continue to show many evidences of
activity, but there is not that extreme
energy OF preparations evident last
week. A significant conference was
held during the day between repre-
sentatives of the war and navy de-
partments to determine whether New
Orleans, Mobile or Tampa should be
selected as a base OF operations for
the military and navy in the event Of
war. No determination has yet been
reached on the subject.
The formal report Of the medical
board OF officers that sat in Admiral
Sicard's case shows that he is suffer
ing from what is technically known
as chronic malaria
The ordnance bureau IS actively at
work preparing for the armament Of
the yachts and tugs which have been