Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-04

| when taken it is felt that it will be ar
| important factor in the situation. 1t ha.
| been expected that France would be the
| first to act by lender of her good of
fees. Up to tonight. however, the Frencl
ambassador NJ. Cambon, has received NJ
instructions in this line There is The
same anticipation, but lack of definite
action in British. German and other diulo-
matte quarters.
1t is probable that mediation would take
definite form if the foreign representa-
tives were convinced that war was in
cVitable and was about to be declared
While they look upon the situation as
grave the general sentiment among them
| is that the matter has not yet progr, SScd
beyond the range of diplomacy and q
pacific settlement
At the outset Spain was most earnest
for mediation and to this end addressed
note to the Powers about 10 days ago.
Now, however, as the prospects for n"d-
alton appear to be growing the Spanish
authorities seem to ne less inclined to-
wand this course. This may be due to
the fact that Spain has looked upon me
diation as an indirect form Of intcrvcn-
tion OF the European Powers in favor of
one of their own number The Spanish
note developed, however. that The Powers
were not ready for any such radical step
France made The first declaration through
Premier lianotauN in the French Cham
her that France would treat both parties
alike Is friends. This was an unexpected
reverse for Spain, as she felt that the
French ownership uf Martinique. Gauda-
loupa and other islands would incline her
sympathy with Spain in defending her
sovereignty over Cuba
Il is probable that negotiations will he
opened ny this government with Den
mark, to allow cable messages to come
over the Frcncn line from the Danish
island oi 81. Thomas to the United States.
With the Looward islands. of which St.
Thomas is q center. rs the probable cen
ter Of any naval operations which may
result from the present crisis. ii is recoS-
nizcd as OF vital Importance TO So
cure cable facilities not controlled by
Spain. AT present the cable lire touching
ut Porto Rico. subject TO Spanish con-
troll is the only means of communicating
with these islands. The French cable
Ian IS at St. Thomas. but the station is
merely tor testing purposes and messages
are not received or delivered Ii is nog,.
proposed Ia have this station turned INTO
regular bureau in which case the GOV
ernmcut could lie brought into c.ose cable
communication with any naval reude ~
VouS there The establishment OF til
bureau viii require the consent OF Den
mark and il is probable that this will D.,
at Copenhagen within the next few days
The Spanish minister Senior Polo y EeY-
nabe and his staff HAD a busy day thcy
did not bring any developments changing
the situation. The minister Iii not Sc
state department. officials during he DAY
The Spanish minister has received a
dispatch from Havana stating that the
AutoEomist cabinet there has address
ed an appeal to the insurgents askjnE
to arrange an armaStice for the pur-
pose Of arriving at terms Of peace. The
full text of the message could not BE-
secured, tonight. Its translation was
not made at the legation The insur-
gents are appealed to ON the ground
that they are all Cubans ana should
unite for peace and liberty which all
want. The appeal also states tina
Spain is willing to enlarge the present
scope OF autonomy and VIII suggest .
plan to the Cortes which is soon 10
meet.
Assistant Secretary Of State DAY has
authorized an official denial Of the state
ment that the Pope is to mediate b.
tween this country and Spain.
a large throng of distinguished persons
last night attended Il brilliant reception
in honor of Captain Sigsbee. commander
of the wrecked battlesl1ip Maine Ii was
q formal reception given by The National
Geographic Society of this city ana
President Mckinley laid aside his %orl,
on bis message long enough to 20 and
Join the guests over 1850 people were
t ho1r. Prof. Alexander Graham EvlI. tlc
scientist, received. With Captain Si&shcc
aS president Of HE society. The presi-
burst If cheering He refused to take. ;t,l-
vantage of the general movement to
make way for. prcfcrrinG 10 remain III
line ANA meet the Maiucs commander
when his time came. As he reached him
the President :sraSpcd his hand with The
remark; "Ca9fain. it gives me great
pleasure t" have the honor of meeting
Nou,' and with a few brief words nf con
examination. PASSED ou T." the ban room
ann, cheering and the strains of "Iiuil to
the Chief