New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-09
HOSTILITIES NOT FAR OFF
WAR LIKELY WITHIN A WEEK
sPAINs DEFIANT ATTITUDE DESTROYS
THE LAST HOPE OF PEACE.


FURTHER ovERruREs FOR PACIFIC SET
ELEMENT LOOKED FOR COMPLETE
HARMONY BETWEEN THE
= PRESIDENT AND CON-
GREss EXPECTED
rBr TELEGRAPH TIRE rRrBuxn.l
Washington. April S.-Nothing has happened
here to-day 10 shake the belief that Spain will
adhere to her refusal to acknowledge defeat In
Cuba by Withdrawing her forces from the island.
and that as a result of her uncompromsing Atu-
tude the United States will be driven to adopt
policy Of armed Intervention and carry Il
promptly into effect by a resort to war; Spain,
having turned q deaf ear yesterday to the appeal
Of the six principal Powers Of Europe and prac.
tically closed the last avenue to peace by de.
claring that she would yield nothing further TO
the demands and "pretensions" Of the United
States. seems now as firmly committed ~ 10
this Government itself to an attitude Of immo-
bility which. II persisted In. cannot but plunge
the two countries into hostilites within the neat
few days.
BOTH GOVERNMENTS UNYIELDINo.
1t has been known here since Tuesday last
that the President would under no circumstances
abate the demand Of the United States that
Spain. having proved her incapae1ty to maintain
should waive absolutely her sovereignty over the
island. The reply Of the Sagasta Cabinet to the
joint note Of Germany. Austria Hungary.
France. Great Britain, Italy and Russia indi-
Gates with equal clearness the purpose OF ths
Spanish monarchy to cling to the shadow Of its
power in Cuba and to risk war rather than aban-
don the mere semblance of authority which 10
now possesses over the island. There 10 left
tonight accordingly. only the slenderest thread
of chance or miracle on which to hang hope
of peace.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BROKEN OFy.
Diplomatic intercourse between the two couns
tries came practically to an end several dayU
ago: negotiations through the medium Of friend
ly Powers have now been suspended. No word
has come to the State Department to-day from
any quarter which has narrowed or sought to
narrow the breach between the two Govern
ments and there is little or no expectation In
Administration circles that effective overtures
for an eleventh hour adjustment are still to
be looked for from any neutral source.
Intervention in Cuba and a resort to arms to
expel the Spanish forces from the island are
therefore almost certain to come within week.
FORM OF INTERVENTION STILL IN DOUBT.
What political form interference on the part OF
the United States will take Is still somewhat In
volved in doubt. The Republican leaders in the
two branches who think that the executive
and legislative departmer is should 90 on record
as united on q single programme. have been
struggling for three days past to harmonize the
conflicting views which have been developed
over the question Of recognizing or not recos-
nizins the independence and sovereignty OF the
present insurrectionary government. The Presi-
dent Is strongly opposed-and naturally-to TAX
| H. rxrl.lD lDh
Republic at this Juncture might prove to be-
Yet 80 many Republicans have hastily COM
mtted themselves to the scheme Of recognition
and are now so reluctant to abandon 1t that
great difficulty has been experienced in bringing
them to a sense OF the political ana military IN
expediency Of such move.
HARMONY IN CONGRESS EXPECTED.
1t is hoped. however. that by recognizing ss
the most the belligerent rights OF the insurgents
the pressure for the recognition Of the insurrec-
| tionary governments sovereignty may %
Iessened. and the settlement Of that embarrass-
ing question may be postponed until q more
annropriat. season. Were the Senate called
| upon tomorrow to pass on the poiiticai iorm
to be given to Intervention by this country.
something Of contest would undoupteoiy %
| precipitated between the advocates and enemies
But there is an encouraging prospect that oy
| Monday unity of action may be secured ana
that the Presidents recommendations may re-
ceive-as they should receive-the solid sup
mort both OF his own and Of the tow opposition
rsrties in Congress.
NOT TO FOLLOW UP THEIR NOTE.
THE POWERS TO MAKE NO FURTHER REPRE-
sENrArroNs TO THIS GOVERNMENT
Washington. April S-Inquiry at the foreign
Embassies and Legations to-day made IL pis'n
that the action Of the great Powers yesterday
IN nresenting a Joint note to President Mckin-
,ev urging peace constituted all that these
Powers will do There is no present purpose 70
,ake further action or to follow up this guarded
and Diplomatic utterance with any suggestion
or mediation or Intervention. 1t was SAID TO-
day by members of the Diplomatic Corps thAs
the ioint note contained nothing between tne
lines which indicated a further purpose. ihis
was the view taken by the Administration yes
terdav. and to-day this is fully borne out by the
attitude of the foreign representatives. VINO are
in close touch with their Governments. IL ID
important at the present 1uncture IN tnat |"
practically eliminates the influence OF the Pow-
ers at Washington beyond sentimental express
sion Of hope for peace.
There Is no doubt, however mat tneso Io'
eign influences will be strongly urged AT mario
toward securing further concessions though the
foreign representatives here begin to doubt sers-
ousIv whether Spain is in a position to conceds
arv more One Of the best-informed diploma
fists to-day summed up the situation thus:
Spain has placed her back against the wall
determined to yield no more. Even the heroic
eyorts OF the Queen Regent toward peace, ~
granting extreme concessions. seem to be over
ruled and the radical element is In control
To- connection with the action Of the Powera