Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-14
given up hope of a peaceful settle
ment.
WAIT UNTIL MONDAY.

tated, even the diplomatic corps was
In ferment awaiting a message from
the president of the United States to
the congress of the American people
that might mean a war, when, with
excitement at the very highest, like
an electric flash, the word passed that
there would be no message. It's sud-
denness stunned the public, which
heard the news in distorted forms,
and amazed veteran members of con-
gress. Ultimately it became known
that not only would there be no mes
sage yesterday, but no message this
week, and that it was a possibility
that the message written and ap-
proved might never go to congress ut
all. The first reason for the delay
was that the administration had re-
ceived advices from Gen. Lee at Ha-
vann intimating that all Americans
could not be gotten off the island yes
terday, and would be in grave peril
if the message preceded their depart
ure. The second reason, and, per-
haps equally potent with the other,
slowly drifted into public comprehen-
sion late in the day, chiefly through
the medium of published Associated
Press dispatches from Madrid, for
Extreme Rcticcnce
was maintained on the subject by the
few in Washington who knew the
facts-and even cabinet officials were
unadvised on the subject. The impor-
tant news was that the Spanish gov
eminent, after what plainly had been
most exciting times in inner Spanish
circles at Madrid, had decided to re.
open the case, closed so far as this
government was concerned, by the re-
fusal of Spain to make satisfactory re-
| spouse to the representations made by
the United States last week and in
order to avert impending war, had de.
| cided to make concessions heretofore
refused. What will be the final out
come it is too early to say, but the
aspect of affairs certainly is consider
| ably more pacific and sufficient to re-
| new the hope Of the president in a
solution Of the Cuban question salts
factory to the American people and
| achieved without bloodshed. The de-
tails remain to be worked out, but it
is expected that between now and
Monday a clearer light will be
thrown on the future action at Madrid,
Of which one important feature at
least. is the declaration of an armis-
tice by the queen regent Of Spain.
This armistice. it is expected, will
lead to ultimate
Independence of Cuba.
from Spanish rule, but by what utter
mediate steps perhaps even the gov
ernment powers do not know at this
time. Much, it is supposed. will de-
pend upon the Cuban insurgents and
the people of the two countries, the
United States and Spain. The powers
of Europe, material and moral, it is
known, brought to bear all their ill.,
tluence OH the government Of Spain
and still are actively at work seeking
by the wisest and most polite course
necessary in view of the circumstances
and sentiments Of the two great ma
lions involved to bring peace out Of
the gathering war clouds. All the
capitals of Europe have been in COM
munication to this end, fact evil
denced by the assemblage at the
British embassy in this city yesterday
of the representatives of the six great
powers Of Europe, who, then and
there were made mutually acquainted
with what had been done abroad, and
with the desire Of those who accredit-
ed them to Washington that they
should work in concert here, this con-
cert, however, in the United States,
not to go beyond a mild tender OF
good offices to secure peace and delay
q definite declaration of war if HOSTILE
| of the representatives assembled at
Sir Julian Pauncefote's may have
wished to offer mediation, but if so,
| were
Warned Against 1t
by others in the conference who un-
derstood more clearly that such pro-
cedure would be resented and work to
hostile and not to peaceful ends. The
improved condition Of affairs was re-
Elected throughout all public Quarters
late in the day. 1t was manifested at
the White House, among cabinet Of
ficers and at the embassies and lega-
lions, including the Spanish legation.
At the latter establishment Senior Polo
said that while he could not disclose
any of the information reaching him
in an official character, yet he felt
that the strain of a few hours ago
was materially relieved, and that the
prospects for peace looked much bet
ter. Accompanying the actual devel.
opments Of the day came the flood Of
report and rumor of a sensational
character little of it, however, hav-
ing any authentic basis. The rumors
Of disturbance at Havana We're not
borne out by any official advices here.
The uncertainty following a great dis
appointment was the condition exist
ing ut the capitol at the close of the
day when the expected did not hap
pen. Senators and members were ut
sea as to what was coming next.
While the message was awaited there
came a hurried summons of leaders
of the senate and house to the White
House. and they were there Informed
that the message
Was to BE Withheld
upon the information received from
Consul General Lee. The reasons he
gave were deemed entirely satisfac-
tory by all. and Senator Davis in
formed the senate while the house
leaders carried the news to that body.
That the danger to American life was
considered sufficient reason for non"
action appeared in the postponement
Of all proposed meetings to consider
the situation. The proposed armis-
tice by Spain injected another feature