The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-02
A DEAL OF INFLUENCE
VIII Be Exerted By His Suggestions
If He Makes Any,
LITTLE CHANGE IN CONGRESS,
A Report That the Pope Would Exert
Efforts TO Secure an Armistice is
Given Little Crcdencc-Would
Not be Favorably Regarded.
General Fitz Lee May
Command a Brigade.

WASHINGTON, April 1.--There Is lttle
doubt that the President and the mem-
bers Of his Cabinet now regard o conflict
with Spain as almost inevitable. In his
message to Congress. which IN al pro5a-
biity will be sent In next Monday, and
certainly early next week, 81 Is understood
that the President Will review al some
length the record as 10 stands between
this government and Spain. but will not
insist upon further time in which TO COM
tlnue negotiations looking 10 a peaceful
solution OF the Cuban problem.
The Cabinet meeting this morning was
unquestionably the most important held
IN many years. IL received Spain an
sWer TO the ullimatum Of this government
and finding Il unsatisfactory, practically
decided upon a policy which at this hour
seems certainly 10 involve hostilues.
OF INFLUENCE.
The whole record will be laid before
Congress and the question is now under
earnest consideration. what shall be the
particular form our policy shall take in
bringing 20 an end the horrors In Cuba
and securing the independence or the
island. Propositions ranging from SIM
Dfe RECOGNITION Of Cuban independence
10 q straight out declaration of war have
been urged at the Capitol, but there IS
hardly a doubt that the majority OF COM
gress will be disposed 20 adopt Mr. Nc
Klnley's suggestion on this point.
II IS thought thai any OF the resolutions
except possibly simple recognition or moe
pendeuce would lead TO war. There were
OF course an sorts Of rumOrs IN circuia-
ton. including reports OF mediation by
European powers but no such suggestion
has come to this government 40 o'clock
this evening.
In response TO a direct question. AS
slstant Secretary Day said there had
been no ofer of mediation by any for
eign government
THE CABINET SESSION.
A member OF the Cabinet to-day spoke
substantiaily as foIIowh:
In the morning It was apparent 10
all Of US that having exhausted an d.
plomatic efforts 20 bring about better
condition of affairs In Cuba, and they
having failed, the whole question must
be submitted TO Congress. At our after
noon meeting the president requested
each member of the Cabinet 10 express
freely his individual opinion as 10 what
should be done. The discussion was en-
tirely on the lines indicated by the men,
bers Nothing definite was decided upon,
and no conclusions reached. The Presi-
dent will now take the views submitted
TO him under consideration, preparatory
to his message 10 Congress, which VIII
be sent In early next week.
president Mckinley has done great
deal OF work recently. and appears pretty
well fatigued. Consequently he VII take
a little rest before beginning active work
on tho message. lie has not yet deter
mined what recommendations viii be
communicated TO Congress.
MY own individual opinion IS that but
little faith can be put In promis made
by Spain, and this makes me hesitate
about accepting with any confidence her
latest propositions.
"In the first place she promised long
time ago that the recOncentradoes would
be released. The results shows that the
promise has not been kept Now she
proposes 10 release them, but keep them
under military supervision Who can
tell whether she will adhere 10 this ex-
pressed intention? broadly there ap-
pears to be- three courses open 10 the
President In dealing further with this
matter.
THREE COURSES.
The first OF these is 10 accept the pro-
posals submitted by Spain in reply to the
American representations. the second TO
relegate the whole matter 10 Congress
and let that body do as 20 sees proper.
which I think would mean Intervention
and thirdly. 20 take a middle stand. But
as / said before nothing has yet been
determined upon by the President or II
he has reached a decision he did not
communicate IL TO the members Of the
Cabinet this afternoon.
yes. reference was made by Spain 20
the matter OF the Maine In the reply she
sent through Minister Moodford. She
made no offer % pay for the loss but
suggested that the matter be settled by
SO FAR as I recall she ex-
pressed no regret for the sad occurrence
and the whole thing was regarded as
cold blooded statement
Tho secord session Of tho Cabinet lasted
from s o'clock TIL 600.
The Spanish minister called az the
state Department az i.2O o'clock and was
IN conference with Judge Day FOR some
time. Although there was the stTictcst
reserve as 20 what had occurred. II can be
stated positively that the United States
submitted no further proposition nor ala
the Spanish minister offer ANYTHING
which CHANGED tho situation of aifairs.
NEGOTIATIONS END.
Both sides regard the issue as made NJ
with no Ik.ihood Of further nego iations B.
between now ard the time Wen the /
President will SUBMIT the whole case 20 /
Corc~ess TIE United States has nre- /
sentsd ts demand and Snain has g'ren
be- answer Thus the case sands. While
this hrinrs n holf 20 the active negotia-
ions which have heen In progress for the |
last few dave n does not mean that d'n- !
lou1atic relations between the two coun /
'riss a-e teTnira'ei. FOR such ~ a steo |
is the i-si ,ilminary before an actual |
s.e'e ~ vfr
Tr-re4 s'nfes Minister Wooffcrd re- |
mains A. ne most ~ Madrid ard Is soid |
- he er'l-aiv safe from harm. The |
srarish Minister eanoR Pn'o y pa-nabss !
aiso re-~airs 20 his most In Wsshingfo1. |
The critical condifi0n of aTairs w''hin /
recent favs has led him ard HE s'aN 70 |
coreiser what disposition ~ tnelr ereots !
would De made IN case their position here |
became untenahle.
From the Spqnish STANDPOINT there r. |
the sare disposition as that shown hv /
the authorties here. 10 regard the issue |
rs made up. The answer OF Spain. Is 1
looked uron as the limit ~ concession
which Madrid will giant II there Is 70 |
he another move the S-snish sovernmsni |
lo,ks 70 the United states 20 make IL. |
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