Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-04
SPANISH AFFAIRS.

set in. Clear-headed men of standing
in business circles are now coupseling
peace in I settlement of the Spanish
question and requesting Senators and
Representatives to stand by the Presi-
dent in his plans. Important trade or
CARNATIONS are adopting resolutions in
dorsiDg the administrations firm poll
cy. Many Senators. Including men,
bers of the foreign relations committee
ard members OF the House, on Satur-
day received kilograms from conserva-
tive business men in their States coun.
selling pacific action in Cuba. Some of
them commented quite vigorously re.
gardiDg them and the fact that they
seem to come simultaneously from diff.
ferent sections.
The President proposes to send 3
peace message, without recommends
ton for Immediate action except 10
feed the Cuban reconcentradoes, TO
Congress on Tuesday or Wednesday,
based largely on information given
him on Friday by DR.. Klopsch,
manager of the present Cuban relief
work, showing that the reconcen-
tradoes are now all right and only need
further supplies, while two hundred
thousand of them would be killed by
starvation In case of armed interyen.
ton or any other warlike action, and
upon the desire Of Gomez that the
United States should not make war, by
armed intervention or otherwise. The
President may recommend the Ultimate
recognition of Cuban independence at
later stage, but the purpose of the
message will be to keep Congress from
acting at present. The only ground
on which the country generally wishes
to interYene-the wretched condition
of the reconcentradoes-has been re-
moved. Congress by Wednesday is ex-
pected by the President to cool down,
but it is thought that Congress will
recognize the independence of Cuba
and thereby give such an affront to
Spain as TO cause the severance of dip
lomatic relations and possibly force hos
tilities. War, however, will have 10
come by an act of Spain or of Congress,
for the President is determined on
peace.
President Mckinley now believes
that he will win in his efforts to pre-
serve peace. Speaker Reed said yes
terday that in six weeks those who are
now talking war will be ashamed of
themselves. The President has, TO al
extent, abandoned his policy for recoe-
nizing the independence of Cuba at
once, believing that it is best to wait
until the insurgent is stronger. He be-
lieves that then the other powers OF the
world will likewise recognize the Cuban
republic. He hopes that in few days
the spirit for war will have died out.
The attitude of Congress, however,
is just the opposite. 1t is eager for &C
ton. There is, however, serious di-
vision of opinion in both branches as
to the course TO be pursued, and this
may have the effect of killing definite
action. The House committee on for
eign affairs has decided to report q
resolution similar to that drawn up by
the Senate committee.
A development of Importance in the
Spanish American situation yesterday
was the receipt by the Spanish minis
ter at Washington of dispatch from
Havana stating that the autonc-
pist cabinet of Cuba has al
dressed an appeal to the insur-
gents, asking to arrange an ermis!ice
for the purpose of arriving at terms for
peace. This marks the concession OF
Spain Of the second of the three de-
mands which, it is understood, the
United States made on her. The first
demand, which has already been COL
ceded, was the release of the reconcen-
tradoes and aid for them until normal
conditions in Cuba are restored. The
second was for an armistice. The third
demand was that if the Speniards and
Cubaus should fail during the armistice
to come to an agreement, Spain should
submit the entire question to President
Mckinley as arbitrator, with the under
standing that be would then decide for
the independence of Cuba.
While the President adheres to his
intention to send his message on the
Spanish situation to Congre IS
Tuesday, it is possible that be may re-
quire more time to treat the situation
as comprehensively as he desires. Con-
seuuently the condition of uncertainty
and suspense which has prevailed for
the past week may continue few days
longer than was expected. Congress is
disposed to wait on the President if de-
Law is necessary, the republican leaders
in the House being confident of their
ability to hold the majority in line with
him.
Secretary of the Navy Long made
the following statement yesterday even
ing: ~ have never thought peace be.
tween the United States and Spain was
impossible, and don't think so now.
OF course, the situation is critical but,
as it is, war is not inevitable, and there
are reasonable hopes that there may be
a satisfactory and peaceful solution of
| the trouble. 81 know of no new de-
velopments."
From all the pulpits of Madrid yes
terday the priests read letter from
The bishop of the diocese, stating that
he considered war imminent and order
ing prayers for the success OF the
| Spanish arms.
The members of the diplomatic corps
at Madrid are joining in steps for avert
ing war.
Minister Woodford csbled the State
Department yesterday that the formid-
able Spanish fleet at Cadiz is on the
eve of putting to sea, its destination be-
ing unknown. Naval authorities are of
the opinion that the fleet will be strong
ar than the hvinp squadron now at