New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-02
PEACE OR VAR THE ISSUE.
THE PRESENT TEMPER FAVORABLE TO
HOSTILITIES
A POSSIBILITY. HOWEVER. THAT THE PRESIDENT
MAY AVERT A CONFLICT. WHILE SECURING
cUBAs FREEDOM CONCESSIONS
FROM SPAIN WHICH IN
CALMER TINES nIGHr
HAVE BEEN Ac-
CEPTED.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrNE.l

ernments at Madrid and Washington definitely
to the parting Of the ways which points to war or
peace. Though in a measure frasmentary and
obscure. the summary Of the concessions onered
| by the Sagasta Cabinet which Minister Wood
ford has transmitted by cable Is full and clear
/ enough to show that Spain. while yielding far
more than the United States could have reason
ably expected at any previous stage Of the ne
gotiations between the two countries. has new
crtheless left unfulnlled the condition OF abso-
lutte independence for the Cubans. which mas
within the last few days come to be looked on
here as the most popular and essential feature
Of the solution of the Cuban problem.
II s true perhaps. that the proposals SUD-
mittei by Premier Sagasta-the abandonment
Of the concentration policy and the restoration
OF the reconcentrados to their farms In the
four provinces controlled by the Spanlards' the
cooperation Of the United States and Spain IN
measures TO end the m.series inflicted by the
concentration scheme on the non-comoatan'
population. and the conclusion Of an armistice
with the insurgents. during which terms OF
! peace are to be considered by the IN
surgent leaders and the Autonomst Gov
| ernmcnt-can be Judged only In the llght OF inc
original representations made BY this Govern
rnent TO the Spanish Cabinet more than week
ago Alongside ~ previous measures OF com
promise and paclhcation brought forward by
Spain. they seem decidedly enlarged and lib-
| eral and y the promise they hold out OF the
| return II order and humane administration TO
Cuba had come In less troublous ana eXclted
times # would probably have been hailed as
signal triumph Of diplomatic skill and diplo-
matte persistence.
THE SENTIMENT IN CONGRESS.
But in the innammable state ot opinion which
! rules In the two branches OF Congress. and
| with the popular pressure FOR the Immediate
| substitution of force for diplomacy which has
shown Itself In many quarters. It is needless
70 say that the summary OF Spains reply, from
its limited scope and absolut, avoidance OF the
one condition OF Cuban pacication which has
recently been pushed to the front. opens the way
for the assertion IN Congress OF a policy based
on the contention that the Spanish answer ends
all hope ot securing by diplomatic means al
adequate or satisfactory settlement OF the Gu
ban problem.
That this latter view r. generally accepted to-
nigh, by the great majority OF the members OF
/ the two houses is undoubtedly correct. and were
/ Congress asked - act tomorrow on the cor
reSpondence which the Spanish answer Of last
night brings 10 n conclusion II would doubtless
vote to abandon diplomacy as useless and COM
NIT the country to Cuban Intervention and
Spanish war
THE SOLE HOPE FOR PEACE.
The sohcrer leaders in Congress may. indeed.
have succeeded in bringing both branches 10 n
lcss belllgerent and impulsive mood before the
t. tl,a 20 o,t, ci Nor
day. and IT ls clear that the Administration.
| though willing TO turn over to the legislative
department on the showing made by the corre-
| spondence Itself the responsibility OF deciding
whether war shall come peaceful means OF
reaching n settlement shall have further trial.
| sill has n definite hope OF dissuading Congress
/ from taking at once the final step which will
carry the country over the brink Of
Should the President decide 10 impress vigor-
ousiy upon the two houses the idea that. though
admittedly Inadequate and unsatisfactory. the
terms offered by Spain point the way to subse-
quent concessions OF n more substantial sort.
and that a further effort to end the struggle In
cuba by negotiation deserves serious considera-
tior radical action at the Capitol may be de-
| ,crrcd or prevented. But until the proposals
exchanged between the two Governments are
laid in full before Congress and until their
/
f. seems useless TO speculate the action likely
~ ho taken by the two houses. or their possible
attitude toward the policy advocated by the
Executive.
HOPE TO FREE CIJBA PEACEFULLY.
After nearly twenty four hours' consideration
| ~ General Woodford's dispatch In Its entirety.
| with full knowledge OF the representations
which lcl to It. and In possession OF additional
rfNatQ Tod itr ON
POLO de Rerrabc late thi. afternoon officials OF
the state Department who are believed TO be
IN full accord with the President expressed In
croosad confidence that the freedom Of Cuba
,,,,bout resort 10 war was assured II Congress
| o,ld ha induced 10 remain patient for a reason
able time.
7, vas conceded that recognition OF the
helIlrercncy ~ the insurgents. after Spain had
practically recognized that condition as existing
hv conscntlng in advance TO truce. might not
| ho construed az casus belli. although IN
critical highly strained state or anairs ike the
rrosent the result OF any action, however IN
offensive ordinarily. could not be predicted win
am, degree # certainty. and unless 1t could be
shown 10 be a necessity to the honor and dignity
-, the United States It might as we'll be avoided.
MESSAGE MAY ALLAY WAR FEELING
,otement that the President will probably
he able to send to Congress on Monday mes
sage calculated to affect the action OF many
members refers to the positive assurance 'he
State Department is understood to have received
from unquestionable sources that the 'eadef 90 o'
| a., ,rsuroents in the field deprecates the for
- tr,orvention OF the United States at this
,,,,e and has coupled with 1t an expression OF
h,s confidence In winning without such assist
n,ce although expressing willingness to guar
on,os snain against certain losses Of prospective
revenue.
WAR UNLESS SPAIN YIELDS
San Francisco. April THE Evening foS.
a