The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-31

Sigsbee OF the Maine will be bafors the
committee when it reassam bles I'd give
information concerning the z Il stimony
taken by the court OF inquiry. The COM
inittee discussed at some length TIE ac-
qiusition Of It. Thomas. but no action
Was taken
Considerable opposition developed to
tfe proposition, Ii bring asserted that
the islands could DO OF 70 possible use at
the present time, as they could not be
made available for war with spain.
The desire Of the committee to have
Captain Sipsbee tefore it is said 10 te
because bis opinions as we'll as his direct
evidence is wanted. Some members q
tie committee lave expressed the opinion
that Re will bs able TO give Information
explanatory OF the testimony which Will
tend TO snow that the Mainel was destroy
ed by design. Ott er members beiieve
that Captain SiRsbee will poiut out to
the comm ittee what he regards as the
siHnifi,aDt features of tie testimony, ne
only by himself. but by other witnesses.
A CRITICAL DAY.
London, March Si.-A despatch from
Madrid says: TOMORROW will be tho
critical day. General Woodford's nego-
tiations will then have decid.d whether it
Is TO be peace or whr. Unless Srain gives
a favorable answer tn America dfmsnis
Gen. woodiord will cesss egotiations
and presumably ask for his passports.
hc censor thIoughout changed the
word demand to "proposition.' The
despatch concluded as follows: "Tf ere
would ~ EN- to bs no difficulty In Spain's
ncoe1irg aud wing both her ride and
possession of Cuba, which is generally ad-
mittod to be slipping from Eer grasp.
But the Spaniards. during the conference
were oisr osed to stanu upon their oianity,
and said they would grant an armistico
II the Insurgents asked for IL direct.
Tte Spanish cruisers Maria Theresa and
Christobal Colon arrived at CnGiz en-
Wednesday. joining the second tortedo
squadron to which the Giralda II at.
tHched.
ssThe torpedo boat destroyer Tomo has
sought refuge at Alicante from the storm.
lit is reported that Csdis Is being for
tilted"
MAKE TERMS.
London, March 3I.-The Westminster
Gazstte this afternoon, noting 'sSpain's
diflicuits In yielding, in view cf file dane
ger threatening the dynasty, asks,
"How, in this situation, can Europe best
help Spain and the queen, wi ON all re-
spectf and answers: by an expression
of opinion so unanimous and decisive
that III bowling to it the queen ana her
minister's would seem to be yielding to
force majeurs. II tnis 10 done and Presi.
dent Mckinley pursues the policy of saw
ing the face OF spain by a scheme Of pur-
CHASE, or other means q conflict may be
avoided without serious dam age to the
existing dynasty. We hops orr govern
ment will advise the Spaniards. in the
strongest language, to make terms"
COAL FOR wARSHIPS.
Louisville. KY, Msrch31. The govern
ment coal fleet that tied up iIst below
the city on Saturday, bound Tor the gulf,
has been ordered by the secretary of the
navy tn proceed at onte and at all bBz-
ards. The coal is for the use of the Unit
ed States navy at Key West. The hurry"
order WAS obeyed with such alAcrity that
part of the crew cot left here. The fiset
carried near 1000, 900 bushels CT coal.
which was purchased at pittsburg. The
fleet was tied up waiting fer tie high
water to subside. Enough coal was car
riei to supply zoo aiships for several
days.
AN IMPORTANT DECREE.
Havana Maron 8l.-Captain General
Blsnco has issued an important decree,
dated March 80 and pu blisned this morn
Ing, IN which he directs the end OF the
recommendation in tho four western prov
inces. Pinar Del Rio, Havana, Matanzas
ana Santa Clara.
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