Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-04-02
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 VIII Result In Ending the War in
Cuba The Situation, However, IA Very
Delicate Ono and Requiring Careful
Handling,


WASHINGTON, March 2S.--Thc 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 cessation of
hostilities in Cuba rather than to en-
gage in 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 The
present Spanish ministry has professed
"a pacific disposition from the begin
ming, 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 hostlities in Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may go in assisting Spain in her pres
cnt design of securing an arinistice is
lot yet determined, but the conserva-
tive element in the administration con-
slder the manifestation of this desire
on the part of Spain for even
temporary peace direct re-
suit of President McKinley's di-
plomdcy, and they are naturally
disposed to contend that the president
should be left free, for the present at
least, pursue policy which promises
much in the way of preventing war
between this country and Spain, and
also of bringing to a close the hostili-
ties in Cuba. Hence there will be an
effort on the part of the peacefully in
clined in congress to continue to hold
that body in check and to prevent in
ilammatory utterances there until this
diplomatic lead may be exploited
On the part of the administration il
is stated that the development of the
situation will not require a great
length of time, and hence that there
will be no extended delay. A policy
has been fully determined upon by the
president. 1t is to bring the Cuban
war to close. This will be accom-
plished by pointed intervention, i
necessary but it is considered far pref
errable that the end should come as
the result of peaceful negotiation,
than that it should be accompanied by
hostile demonstrations on the part o
the United States. Hence the disposi
tion of the president is to give Spain ;
fair opportunity to secure an armistict
with the Cubans and to allow her
reasonable time in which to come to al
understanding with the insurgents.
1t can be stated upon high authority
that there has been no abatement o
the presidents intention to see tina
the war is terminated when it is thu
closed upon terms that will render tn,
Cubans practically a free people. 1t i
not believed that they would accep
anything less nor that American
would be satisfied if we should encour
age settlement that would not be nc
ceptable to the Cubans.
If there should now be an armistc
it would be with the concessions mad
by Spain at the instance of this coun
try that negotiations should be opene
Immediately with the insurgents look
ing to the establishment of perma
nent peace upon these terms.
1t has long been the hope of the ad
ministration to bring Spain to tn
point of making propositions of thi
character rs the basis of settlemen
most satisfactory to all parties, and
is.hoped from Spain's attitude that thi
time has arrived.
The friends of the administratio
feel that the situation is a very del
cate one, and that much will depen
upon the course congress may pursue
In the meantime the president will, o
Wednesday, send his message asllin
: that an appropriation be made for tn
| mid pf tho daStitutn Cuhans