The record-union., 1898-04-05
WITH SPAIN NOT
e E,SIIM ED
TALK OF MEDLATTON.
No Such Step IS Contemplated With
This Government


WASHINGTON April 4.-President
Mckinley announced to-day to a lead
ing member of Congress, who has the
confidence of the Administration, that
there was no truth in the reported me-
diation of the Pope in the Cuban Incl
dent He also announced that he was
hourly expecting a cablegram from the
Sagasta Government notifying this
Government Of the formal proposition
of an armistfce to the insurgents.
President Mckinley began work
early to-day, appearing Well and cheer
full Assistant Secretary Day, Repre-
sentative Grout of Vermont, Chairman
Cannon of the House Committee on
Appropriations, Dingley of the Ways
and Means Committee, and Senator
Gray of Delaware had audiences with
the President
Representative Barrett of Massachu-
setts was also a caller but did not see
the President. Barrett said he be-
lieved the best solution of the whole
affair would be to submit to Congress
the proposition for the recognition of n
republic That he Advocated as a
simple step on which Congress would
! Immediately act, and he expressed the
belief that the recognition would WORK
out it's own ends. The official state-
ment emanating from the Foreign Of
flee at Madrid as to Papal mediation
received an uneCuiVocal denial from
the Administration.
Several persons conferred with the
President in the course Of the day, and
received the response that if the Pope
ccntemplates mediation this Govern
ment knew nothing of it. The Chair
man of one of the most important COM
mittees in Congress. just after visiting
the Executive chambers, promptly
stamped the statement of mediation
! between Spain and the United States as
a Madrid roorback.
why should the Pope mediator" he
suggested. ''There is nothing to medi-
ate. l don't believe the step is contem-
plated Why, the Deity is the only
one who should be recognized to step in
between the two. l regarded the
statement in such light that it never
occurred to me to even mention it,
This member like others, referred to
mediation between the United States
and Spain, and not between Spain and
the insurgents, the latter being mat
ter with which this country has 10
concern.
While no offer Of mediation has been
made by Pope Leo XIII. to the United
States, since the Vatican never initiates
a tender of its services as mediator OF
arbitrator and this country has made
no such request, there is little doubt
that unofficial representations have
been made as to the interest felt by the
Pope in the preservation of peace.
There is reason to believe, however,
that the Pope's influences are being ex-
erted much more directly and with
greater effect at Madrid than at Wash
| ineton. Pope Leo is the Godfather of
the young King Of Spain and Pope
Plus was the Godfather of AIphonso
XII. the late King Of Spain This in
! dicates the great influence which the
Vatican exercises over the Spanish
dynasty. the royal family and the
country at large being thoroughly
Catholic
owing to this. it is not doubted that
the influence of the Pope would be most
important and probably decisive in in
ducing Spain to make every concession
possible toward the maintenance of
peace. Further more. it is known Off
cially that these influences are being
exerted at the present moment, and
that they promise to be productive of
results.
THE POPE EXERTING INFLUENCE
AT MADRID.
ROME. April At is stated in vati-
can circles to-day that the Pope has
not formally offered to mediate between
| Spain and the United States It is
| true however that the pontiff has CON-
veyed to Madrid his ardent wish for the
| avoidance of conflict and has asked