Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-07
A WARLIKE OUTLOOK
The Prospect More Threatening
Than at Any Other Time.
NAVAL VESSELS HAVE THEIR ORDERS
Diplomatic Relations With Spain
Suspended.
EFFORT OF THE POWERS

Sge from Congress has not, 1t Is claimed,
lessened the strain between this govern
ment and Spain. Whether it will have the
effect of securing the safety Of Americans
In Havana is uncertain. Statements that
quiet had been preserved there up to the
hour of the latest communication were re-
assuring, but there is apprehension that
any hour may bring word of trouble. 1t
may be, though there is no expectation of
the sort now entertained in Washington,
that Spain will avail herself of the inter-
vening time between now and the sending
in of the message to Congress to grant
freedom to Cuba, but no advices from
Madrid have yet been of character to in
dicate an intention on her part to 20 that
far. The declaring of an armistice or any
other step short of freedom for -uba will
not affect the position taken by the United
States.
The President Spoke Frankly.
The President is declared to have spoken
with the utmost frankness to the members
Of the House and Senate of all parties
whom he summoned to the White House
yesterday to consult on the subject of with
holding the message. He held out no hope
Of peace to these gentlemen, and gave no
1ntimation of expecting a communication
lioHl his representations GATED
entirely to the Lee dispatch, disclosing the
dangerous position of Americans in Cuba,
and his whole anxiety was to preserve Inc
lives of these Americans. 1t is Assumed
that if he had a less threatening reason for
asking delay he would have given that in
stead of the one calculated to aggravate
the already intense war spirit in Congress.
But, on the contrary, the communication
of character n
all idea Of avoiding some hostlities.
Diplomatic Relations Suspended
The statement is made on authority
which has never been misleading, and
which has never been available except
where information was positive, that not
only have negotiations between Spain and
the United States been broken off, but dip
limatic relations have been suspended. The
suspension of diplomatic relations should be
followed at once by the withdrawal Of the
Spanish and the American ministers. But
1t is explained that in this instance the
two ministers continue their residence at
the capitals of the respective nations for
the reason that Spain and the United
States are equally anxious for the safety
OF Americans in Cuba, and desire that they
shall be got safely off the island before a
public announcement of the suspension Of
diplomatic relations is made. Some cir
cumstantial confirmation of this statement
Is furnished by the Madrid dispatches,
winch represent communications with Min
lister Woodford as being conducted through
foreign ambassadors, and not directly from
the Spanish foreign office, as would ordi-
narily be the case. This suspension of dip
lomatic relations will become an actual
breach if Spain does not Yield in the mean
time, after the Presidents message has
been transmitted TO Congress. The state
ment is made that immedia tely on this
message being made public, the Spanish
Minister here will ask for his passports,
and Minister Woodford will be directed to
leave Spain.
Orders 10 Our Wnrshfps
The assertion is made that the battle ship
Texas, which has just arrived at Hamp-
ton Roads. will be ordered to stand be-
tween the Spanish cruisers at Porto Rico
and the course taken by the San Francis
co and the New Orleans, now on their way
to this country. and to give battle to these
cruisers If they leave Porto Rico in a di-
rection to intercept the New Orleans and
San Francisco. If word comes that the
Spanish cruisers have left Porto Rico, it is
said, fight will be expected.
II Is StaleQ tnat Commodore
Schley has received orders to put to sea at
once upon receiving information that the
Spanish torpedo fotilla has left the Cape
Verde Islands, and that he shall intercept
the fotilla and it's escort with the fying
squadron and give battle on the high seas
All the best authorities agree that the
outlook is, If possible, more warlike than
at any time before.
Only One Offer Acceptable.
It is. Of course, within the power of
Spain, as it has been during the past sew
eral weeks, to settle the matter by
granting the freedom of Cuba
But this governme is not commun-
lcatins with Spain, nor expecting COM
municauons directly from her, and no
proposition of temporizing character, it
is declared. will be received and no media
tion accepted. The communications be-
tween the foreign ambassadors and the
Spanish representatives,, both here and in
Madrid, are explained on the ground that
neither the Spanish minister here nor the
American minister at Madrid is in a posi-
tion to hold any communication with the
government TO which he accredited
Senator Elkins, on coming from the State
Department, sad that the representatives
of the six foreign powers were to call at
the White House this morning, and that q
proposition from the Queen Regent of
Spain for an armistice was expected
Senator Elkins' statement does not re-
iieve the situation unless the foreign am
bassadors go to the President with a propo-
sition for the dependence Of Cuba There
is the best of authority for the announce
ment that no proposition for a mere armi-
stice will be considered, and 1t is said to
be certain that the Representatives of for
eign governments will not persist In nny
course contrary to the wishes of this gov
ernment.
The Presidents Significant Reply.
The character Of the note presented to
the President this morning by the represen-
tatives OF the powers and of the reply by
the President dispels in the minds of the
leaders In Congress all idea of any direct
offer of mediation or any Interference by
the powers. The Presidents reply Is re-
garded as exceedingly strong and signif-
cant and has done much 10 dispose Of
doubts and anxieties many members Of his
party in Congress ware troubled with. The