The Monticellonian., 1898-04-01
MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
Negotiations Between the American Government and that of Spain
 Tending Toward Peace.
M'KINLEY WILL GIVE SPAIN A CHANCE.

He Thinks an Armistice Can be Arranged
 that 'SIH Result in Ending the War In
 Cuba Situation. However, Very
 Delicate One and Requiring Careful
 Handling.
 WASHINGTON. March 2s-The devel- opments of the day in the Cuban situa- ton indicate steady progress in the negotiations between the government of this country and that of Spain look ing to the maintenance of peace. for the present at least There is good authority for saying that Spain's pres ent wish is to secure a cessation of hostilities in Cuba rather than to en- gage in d war with the United States, and that it is more than probable that the negotiations between the government of the United States and the Sagasta ministry will take that turn in the immediate future Tho present Spanish ministry has professed u pacific disposition from the begin hing, and the indications are strong now that it will avail itself of the good offices of the United States to the fullest extent that public opinion in Spain will allow in bringing to an end the hostilities in Cuba.
 To what extent the United States may go in assisting Spain in her pres ent design of securing an armistiee is not yet determined, but the conserva- tive element in the administration con slider the manifestation of this desire on the part of Spain for even temporary peace direct re- suit of President Mcklnleys di- plomaey, and they are naturally disposed to contend that the president should be left free. for the present at least, to pursue policy which promises much in the way of preventing war between this country and Spain. and also of bringing to close the hostili- ties i'll Cuba. Hence there will be an effort on the part of the peacefully in. clined in congress to continue to hold that body in cheek and to prevent in- hammatory utferances there antil this diplomatic lead may be exploited
 On the part of the administration it is stated that the development of the situation will not require great length of time. and hence that there will be no extended delay. policy has been fully determined upon by the president. It is to bring the Cuban  war to a close. This will be accom- plished by pointed intervention, if necessary, but it is considered far pref errable that the end should come as the result of peaceful negotiations than that it should be accompanied by hostile demonstrations on the part of the United States. Hence the disposi- tion of the president is to give Spain a fair opportunity to secure an armistice with the Cubans and to allow her a reasonable time in which to come to an understanding with the insurgents.
 It can be stated upon high authority that there has been no abatement of the presidents intention to see that the war is terminated when it is thus closed upon terms that will render the Cubans practically a free people. It is not believed that they would accept anything less, nor that Americans would be satisfied if we should encour- age settlement that would not be ae- ceptable to the Cubans.
 If there should now be an armistiee it would be with the concessions made by Spain at the instance of this coun- try that negotiations should be opened immediately with the insurgents look ing to the establishment of perma- nent peace upon these terms.
 It has long been the hope of the ad- ministration to bring Spain to the point of making propositions of this character as the basis of a settlement most satisfactory to all parties, and it is'hoped from Spain's attitude that this time has arrived
 The friends of the administration feel that the situation is very deli. cate one, and that much will depend upon the course congress may pursue. In the meantime the president wall. on Wednesday, send his message asking that an appropriation be made for tho aid of the destitute Gubaus.