The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-08
AT THE WHITE HOUSE

any bearing upon the president 5 message
DIS already prepared, and it was stated
on authority that It would not be chan sed
in any important particular save in the
unlocked for event of submission on the
part of Spain TO the demands of this gov
ernment
This statement was made atnoon by a
high official of the government who had
full knowledge of the real situation. The
intimation given out at Madrid yesterday
70 the effect that the queen regent was
about to proclaim an armistice in Cuba,
and that the indications were that the
Spanish government would make import
ant concessions looking TO the establish
ment OF peace on q basis Of practical
Cuban independence was regarded in Off
cia1 circles ehre as a diplomatic move 70
gain time. SO far as this government was
concerned, diplomacy, it was stated mad
run its course No negotiations of any
character were planning nor would they
be resumed except at the solicitation Of
Spain, and for the stated purpose Of car
ry1ng into effect The demands of this gov
eminent already communicated to the
Madrid authorities. The president re-
bly, intervene in Cuba If necessary TO put
an end TO hostiIties and to secure tran
guilty and more stable government on
the island. From a. high source it was
clearly intimated that a naval demon
stration against Havana had been con-
sidered and was almost certain TO be
made within the next few days unless
Spain should yield and if this demonstra-
ton resulted in war the president was
ready to accept the issue. a cabinet Off
Ger today said:
'Why are we hurry:ng Americans out
of Cuba, except that their lives viii be
in danger after the presidents message
has gone 10 congress and his purposes are
fully known 10 the Cubans. That is the
reason, and the only one"
This government, it was further stated,
had learned to distrust much that comes
even from official sources at Madrid, and
from now on, actions and not words, a
member of the cabinet declared, would
determine our policy.
A prominent Republican member of the
house said at noon that there had been
no renewal of negotiations with Madrid
and tnat nothing had been received from
there up to that hour
A cablegram was received, at the White
Houst today from Minister Woodford con-
tanning information concerning yester-
days cabinet meeting. 1t had been ex-
pected. that the cabinet meeting at Mad
rid would be an important one and that
Its action would be highly significant on
the diplomatic situation. General Wood
ford. however, wired that there was no
important action taken and that it had
adjourned without accomplishing any ma
terial step that would lead 10 any change
In the status or throw any light on the
situation. Its tenor was somewhat dis
appointing in view Of the expectations.
Save for the arrival Of distinguished
public men who sought conference with
the president there was little outward evi-
dence at the White House today Of a
grave crisis. All the forenoon wOrkmen
were decorating the East room and the
handsomest apartments used in the enter
tainment Of executive guests. in prepara-
zion for luncheon TO be given later in
the day by Mrs Mckinley in honor of
the party of ladies who have been her
guests for some time past. One hundred
guests were to be entertained at this time
and the East room was made one bunch
Of ferns and palms In view Of this func-
ton it was necessary TO refuse admis-
sion to a large crowd of strangers.
1t was late before the White House be-
gan to be astir. At l O'Clock the pres
identical conferences with the leaders be
gan. Senator Cullom of Illinois, who
brought some friends to present TO the
president. and Representatives Grosvenor
of Ohio and Cannon of Illinois, the latter
the chairman of the house appropriations
committee. who came to see if there had
been any overnight developments, were
the first Corners.
Senator Gray Of Delaware, a member of
the senate committee on foreign relations,
was with the president for some time.
The senator later said he believed that
all the Americans who intended to get out
Of the island of Cuba would be got out
safely in due time. He believed that both
General WoodfOrd at Madrid, and Gen
eral Lee at Havana, would not be at
their posts after the opening OF next week.
lie thought the precautions taken by this
government and the threatening state Of
affairs at Havana with relation u the
American citizens thought 80 he imper-
med. tended TO stimulate the Spanish gov
eminent to afford better protection. The
senator said he did not believe there was
any likelihood of an armiStice between
Spain and the insurgents. Such an act,
he said. naturally would have an effect
on the situation but the mere offer of
one. unaccepted by the Cubans. whatever
might be the part II would play in the
sentiment Of outside powers, would not.
in his opinion, change our attitude in
any way.
Up TO late in the forenoon there had
not been any Important development bear
ing on the situation. President Mckinley
announced TO some OF his callers that he
regarded his message to congress as a
closed document. unless there were an IN
expected radical change in the existing
situation.
Representative Grosvenor sad that IN
less there was A revision Of the facts,
which he did not deem at all probable.
there would be no revision NJ the preSi-
dents message. NIr. Mckinley. he sad.
was conscious Of thu criticism passed on
the administration Tor the delay but ne
expected it would follow. despite the act
nal facts Of the danger threatening our
people on the island
In to Il O'Clock four % tte canine;
and Assistant Secretary Day had been
with the president They were Secre-
taries sherman. Long and Bliss and Al
torney General GTiSEs.
Assistant Secretary Day. after a con