Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

Del"een the TWO countries is Now
Generally Expected-President VIII
Doubtless Lay the Whole Matter
before Congress Early This Week.
Washington, April 5.-The issue be-
tween the United States with Spain re-
mains unchanged. No communica-
rions having any bearing upon the
situation passed between this govern
nent and Spain since last Thurs
day night when Woodford transmitted
the reply of the Sagasta ministry to
the presidents propositions OF two
weeks ago. Both governments appear
to accept this issue as made up, and
are shaping their courses accordingly.
The Veiw is universally entertained,
even by representative men of the ad-
ministration, that congress upon re-
ceipt Of the presidents message early
this week Will take action which it is
almost universally expected must re-
suit in severance of the relations OF
the two countries. This iQ part Is
foreshadowed by the action of the SEN
Saturday agreeing to a resolution IA
vorable to the independence of Cuba
and for armed intervention if neces-
sary to secure independence. 1t is be-
lieved that if any European interven-
ton or mediation is to come it will be
within the next few days. No offer OF
European mediation has yet been Off
cially transmitted to this government
1t is understood in official circles that
the recognition of Cuban independ-
| ence would not ia itself be regarded
| by Spain as a casus belli. But at the
same time there is little doubt that
such recognition of Cuban independ-
| ence would be followed by the with
drawal of the Spanish minister, Senior
BerNabe, and suite from Washington
and the termination of SPANS dip
lcmatic representation at Washing
ton. Such withdrawal would be one
Of the last steps preceding actual re-
course to war. 1t is probable, how
ever, that the withdrawal of the
Spanish minister, following the rec
| ognitiOn of independence would
| not be so much an indication of war
as it would be an emphatic protest by
| the Spanish government against the
reception of Cuba. The Spanish min
lister continues to preserve an outward
calm, although he feels that the rela-
tons are extremely strained. He
| said Saturday that his conscience is
| perfectly clear as he thought SPANS
cause was a just one. His position is
| trying, however, as the Spanish lega-
| ton has been subjected to a number
of petty indignities recently. They
have not been called to the attention
| of the government officials, although
police officers have been detailed to
see that the offenses are not continued.
The state department Saturday re-
ce1ved a full report of the Spanish
commission which investigated the
destruction of the Maine by special
messenger from Havana. 1t is far
greater in length than the report of
the American court of inquiry. The
text is in Spanish, and will take some
time for translation The essential
feature is that the explosion of the
Maine occurred in the side of the ship
and that no evidence existed of any
exterior explosion.
The white house was the central
point in the great activity Saturday,
and the president saw many public
men. Some of them urged upon the
president that the Maine incident be
put forward as a casus belli, the gen
eral Cuban subject being subordinated
to it. Among these were Representa-
tive Marsh of Illinois. Many senators,
including members of the foreign re-
lations committee and members of the
house, received kilograms from COLI
servative business r1en in their states,
cOunselling pacific action regarding
Cuba. Some of them commented
quite vigorously regarding them and
the fact they seem to come simultan-
eously from different sections.
Saturday afternoon the navy de-
partment was informed of the sailing
of the Spanish ships Pelayo and Carlos
from Havre and Toulon, France, for
Carthagena, Spain. The officials sup
pose that these vessels have been at
French ports for some necessary re-
pairs and are returning to Carthagena
where their Spanish naval stations
are preliminary to active service.
Secretary Alger Saturday authorized
the allotment. of 100000 for an
emergency fund for the office of chief
of engineers. The amount is to be
spent in purchasing material for tor
pedo defenses connected with seacoast
Notifications.