The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-31
Spain Must Abandon Control of Cuba
Before Many Days.
WILL DIPLOMACY SUCCEED ?
The President May Yet Secure Sat
iSfactOry Action
BY Spain Through Peaceful Means. The
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee Defers to the President
But "a House Caucus Is
Fractions.

( WASHINGTON. March 30.--It is stat
ed on authority close to the adninisf
tration that a communication was
sent to Spain to-day in the nature of
an ultimatum to the effect that Span
ish control in Cuba must end.
The substantial change in the stu
alton is that the President evidently
succeeded in quieting the Congress
men who yesterday threatened to
break over the traces. They saw him
in droves to-day and he saw all. He
talked with his friends and with those
who were apparently about to break
away from him. One and all went
away from him with tightly closed
lips, few venturing to say that they
were satisfied.
The President told his callers just
enough to make them believe that
Cuba is to be freed by diplomatic
methods, and just enough to put
stop to revolutionary methods in
Congress until there has been time to
| conclude the negotiations with Spain.
Summed up, the status of the negoti-
ations is as follows:
Spain now has under consideration
propositions made by this country
looking to the independence Of Cuba.
The Spanish cabinet will meet to-
morrow and will pass upon these
propositions. Until the cabinet meets
no one can predict the outcome.
President Mckinley believes that
the Spaniards will accept the solution
offered them. His advices are that
way.
If Spain does not accept these prop
ositions and shows belligerent spirit
President Mckinley will make no
further efforts at settling the question
by peaceful methods. He will put the
entire affair in the hands of Congress
and will stand with that body in all
it does. War will then be certain.
The leading proposition before the
Sagasta ministry is to allow the Gu
bans to purchase their independence
en- probable basis of 5000, 900. 1t
is claimed the Cuban representatives
here have agreed to this.
Pending the arrangements of this
purchase a short armistice will be
agreed to by the United States, a
cessation of hostilities just long
enough for Spain to wind up her
affairs in Cuba and to withdraw her
| troops.
Following this agreement for an
armistice and sale the United States
will recognize the independence of the
| Cubans.
All the money interests of Europe
are working on Spain to have her ac-
cept the proposition for the sale of
Cuba.
Minister Woodford notified the
Department that feet consisting of
two armored cruisers and torpedo
boat had sailed from Carthagena,
Spain, west, presumably for Cuba.
Secretary Long detailed officers to-
day to command the auxiliary torpedo
boats recently added to the navy.
1t is reported that at caucus of
House republicans to-day committee
of eleven was appointed to wait on
the President tomorrow to explain
the views of the majority in the
House and to inform the executive
that unless he takes immediate ac-
ton they will proceed even to the
point of declaring war against Spain.
The Senate foreign relations com
mittee failed to agree on any Cuban
resolutions to-day, but referred the
whole matter to a sub committee and
adjourned.
While the present disposition of
the committee is to oblige the presi-
dent, it was made evident that large
majority of the committee would
favor vigorous action as it is made
evident that diplomatic resources
have been exhausted.
President Mckinley positively as
sured Republicans of the Senate and
House that the Cuban question would
be definitely determined not later
than Monday. They agreed to wait
till then without action. Spain's
answer may come Thursday. If she
refuses to withdraw troops from the
island Minister Woodford will be in
structed to present an ultimatum and
withdraw from Madrid if Spain has