The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-30

remains steadfast In his convictions
as to what is his duty. and adverse
criticism. which 1t Is asserted Is mainly
due to misinformation as to the sit
uation or Ignorance Of the presidents
purposes, will not be permitted to
swerve him In the least degree from the
course he has planned. AS he has al
ready stated. the president some days
ago made O. peremptory demand upon
Spain to put an end Immediately to
hostllities In Cuba. to release the con-
centrados and to permit them to re-
turn to their homes and resume their
several occupations unmolested This
statement is made by unquestionabls
authority. and since that, demand was
communicated to Spain the president
has not taken step backward or al
lowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying 1t In the least particular.
Spaln's final reply to this demand. II I
Is known. Is now receiving the earnest
consideration of the Spanish authori-
ties at Madrid. and their final reply
may be reasonably expected within the
next few days. Should these demands
be rejected there is the highest au-
thorlty for stating that the president
would not hesitate a moment as TO his
future course. but would Immediately
lay the whole record before congress
and be guided by Its instructions. AS
q preliminary step toward peace 1t
has been proposed to Spain. though
this last proposition has not yet taken
the shape of demand. that the Span
ish government withdraw Its troops
from the island. and that the Cubans
be given their Independence on basis
of Indemnity that would be regarded
as Just In amount by the United States
and other nations Of the world and
fair to both contending parties.
The question Of an armstice has not
been agreed to by either this country
or Spain. though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armistice. What
terms Of peace will be acceptable to
the president cannot be stated. but 1t Is
asserted that no proposition will be
considered that does not involve the
practical. II not the actual independ-
ence of the Cubans. Under these cir
cumstances members of the adminis-
tration think 1t only fair to the presl-
dent that the people should wait with
patience the result of the pending ne
gotlations.
There Is little doubt that the French
government is ready to tender its good
Offices as mediator between the United
States and Spain. IL any intimation is
conveyed by this country that such |
offices would be acceptable. Without
such intimation it Is doubtful whether |
France will take the initiative. In
diplomatic circles it is pointed out that
the interests Of France, both material |
and sentimental, favor an avoidance |
of war. One material reason is that |
France Is preparing for the interna- |
tional exposition, when the worlds tide |
of travel will be turned toward the |
French capital. It Is said that war at |
such time would be seriously preju- |
dicial to this great project. Another |
material interest affecting France is |
that her citizens own many Spanish |
securities, so that any decline result |
ing from war would fall largely on
French capitalists.
At the close of the cabinet meeting |
Secretary Alger gave out the follow
ing statement: 80 far from there be-
ing any difference Of opinion among
the members OF the cabinet. thev are
all in hearty accord with the president, Il
and have been, without a single ex-
ception. When he read to them his
message on the Maine there was not
a dissenting voice nor suggestion OF
change. 1t commanded the approval
of every member. How could the presi-
dent have done more? He gave con-
gress the report at once, and stated
that he had rwarded 1t to Spain, and
is awaiting her reply, He must take
one step at a time. 1t may be said
f. her that there need be no fear that
he will not take the next. He has not
lost moment in presenting not only
the Maine incident. but the whole sit
uation to Spain. The country can well
afford to await the result Of the ne
gotiations. which will be promptly
made known, whatever the result"
The army and navy departments
continue to show many evidences of
activity. but there was not that ex-
treme energy Of preparations apparent
last week. Captain Sigsbee had sew
eral talks with Secretary Long during
the day. and at the close of office
hours the secretary accompanied Cap
tain Slgsbee to the White House and
presented him to the president. Mr..
Long says that no determination has
been reached thus far as to Captain
Sigsbee's next assignment. but as one
Of the high officials of the navy de-
partment the commander of the
wrecked battleship can have about
anything he wants.
A significant conference was held
during the day between representa-
tives of the war and navy departments
to determine whether New Orleans. Mo-
bile or Tampa was best adapted as 4
base of operations. both military and
naval, in the event of war. The rep
resentative Of the navy was Captain
Baker naval aide to Secretary Long
and for the army Colonel Wagner,
chief of the bureau of information of
The army. No determination has yet
been reached on the subject.
The ordnance officials of the army
"eport that the firms which have heen
given contracts for supplying ammunl-
ion. guns, projectiles and gun ear
'iages are keeping well to their prom
ses in the matter Of supplying these
Of war on time and they |
ire being hurried to the fortifcaiions
lecdng them. Work in all depart