The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-15

Both houses of congress had adjourned
until Monday, and at the executive
mansion there was no rush of eager
and excited public men, but Sunday
quiet atmosphere. At only the war
and navy departments were there
signs of an impending conflict in the
rush of immediate orders to a host of
naval officers to report at once for
duty ON vessels to which they were as
signed and in conferences among bu-
reau chiefs on details of war prepara-
lions. And yet, the resolve was firm
er than ever that unless Spain yielded
to Americas Cuban demands the
United States. by force of arms, would
move on Havana. 1t was the very
recognition of the fXity of this purpose
that caused the day to be
In Marked Contrast
to the excitement of all it's predeces.
sors of late. There was still some dis
cussion OF Cuban affairs, but it only
served to emphasize the fact that one
forward step Of immense importance
had been taken. FOR the discussion was
of an advanced stage. and concerned
net intervention and freedom of Cul;l
from Spanish dominion, but the obi
cations and duties that might be i'm
posed upon the United States after
VIC had expelled Spain from the island.
This discussion revolved two provost
lions. namely, intervention without
recognition Of national independence
OF the Cuban insurgents. and interven-
ton With concurrent recognition OF the
independence of the present insurgent
government of Cuba. Some public
men lowered between these two prop
ositions and favored Il compromise.
The cabinet held it's usual Friday ses-
sion. but it's meeting brought 10
change in the Spanish situation. In
Geed, it was
Chiefly Significant
in establishing that no change had &C.
CURED, that none was expected and
that the programme of action on the
part of the United States government
was already made up. The presidents
message remains unaltered. and this
being the last cabinet day before the
message will go to congress, altera-
tions are unlikely between now ana
Monday. barring altogether uneXpect-
ed developments from Madrid. After
tine meeting cabinet officers stated that
the message would be sent to congress
on Monday, no change in that respect
having been considered, and all causes
for delay having been removed. The
calmness of the cabinet meeting. which
was one of the most uneventful held in
recent days, was another evidence Of
the feeling entertained by the admins
tration. that the case is made up and
that nothing now remains to be done
but to present the subject to congress
and await the final outcome there.
The feeling that an end had come to
diplomatic talk. and that
Action Alone Remained.
was shared in all quarters, including
the foreign embassies and legations,
where the ambassadors and ministers
expressed the feeling that all has been
done in Washington that can or would
be done in the cause Of peace. What
is going on at Madrid gives slight
alter the present situation. There
are no negotiations, in the sense of ex-
changes, OH pending propositions. Both
parties apparently have said their last
word concerning the respective propo-
sitions. Certainly this is true as to the
United States. and there were no evil
dences that the Spanish government
would recede. 1t is even doubtful
whether a concession of an armistice
by Spain would be sufficient at this
last moment to turn the situation into
peaceful channels. Preparations for
all evcntualities are being hurried to
completion. Gen. Lee will leave Ha-
vana to-day. Entire
Quiet Has Prevailed
there up to this time. The United
States consul at Poro Rico is also pre-
pairing to leave. No instructions, it is
stated definitely. have been sent to
Minister Woodford concerning his
withdrawal from Madrid. that being
left to his discretion. The prospects
of his withdrawal have been fully
considered. however, and there is rea-
son to believe that in the event of his
retirement the British ambassador at
Madrid will look after American inter-
ests and afford protection to such
Americans as remain in Spain. The
Spanish minister at Washington has
received no instructions as to- his de-
parture, nor has he made preparations
to go, although his establishment is in
such IL condition that he could leave
within few hours after receiving
orders from his government to depart.
AS an evidence of the complete cessa-
ton of negotiations it. can be cited
yeSlefuay clOSeu tHe seventh cOHSecW-
tive day since the Spanish minister
called at the state department.. War
and naval
Preparations Are Proceeding
Systematically, but the larger details
of preparation have been shaped ana
there is little more to do than to see
these regularly executed. At the capt.
toll the senators who are devoting
themselves to the task of securing n
resolution on. the Cuban question on
which practical unanimity on the part
of the senate can be obtained were
quite active, and when the day closed
felt that they had made apprecIabie
progress. There was a joint meeting
of the leading member of the steering
committees of the various parties dur
ing the day in the rooms of the COM
mittee on appropriations. In which the
whole situation was canvassed and the
reasons for prompt action in the SEN
ate after the mattersi 10 only taken up
were gone over much as they had been