The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-28

ualoH lnQlcate Steady progress In the
negotiations between the government OF
this country and that of Spain looking
to the maintenance. OF the peace for the
present at least. THERE IS GOOD
AUTHORITY FOR SAYING THAT
SPANS PRESENT WISH IS TO Sc
CURE A CESSATION OF HOSTILE
TIES IN CUBA RATHER THAN TO
ENGAGE In A WAR WITH THE
lFUN1TED STATES, AND THAT 1T IS
MORE THAN NPRoBABLBTHAT THE
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE sAGASTA MN
ISTRY WILL TAKE THAT TURN IN
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. The pres
ent Spanish ministry has professed a pa
cific disposition from the beginning, and
the Indications are strong now that 1.
will avail itself Of the good offices OF the
United States q the fullest extent that
public opin!on. in Spain will allow in
bringing to an end the hostilItles in
Cuba.
To what extent the Uplted States may
so in assisting Spain in her present de-
sign OF securing an armistce IS not yet
determined, but the conservative ele-
ment in the administration consider the
manifestation OF this desire on the part
OF Spain for even a temporary peace a
direct result OF President McKinley's
diplomacy, and they are naturally dis
posed to contend that the President
| should be left free for the present ut
least to pursue \ policy which promises
| much in the way Of preventing war be-
tween this country and Spain and also
OF bringing TO 4 close the hostilIties in
Cuba Hence there will be an effort on
the part of the peacefully inclined In
Congress TO continue TO hold that body
In check and 10 prevent inflammatory ut
terances there until this promising di-
plomatic lead may be exploited.
ON THE PART OF THE ADMINS
TRAToN, IT IS STATED THAT
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SIT
uATIoN WILL NOT REQUIRE A
GREAT LENGTH OF TINE. AND
HENCE THAT THERE WILL BE NO
EXTENDED DELAY. A POLICY IS
DETBRMINEDUPo By THE PRES
1DENT. 1T IS TO BRING THE Gu
BAN WAR TO A CLOSE. THIS
WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY
POINTED INTERVENTION IF MEG
EssARY, But IT IS CONSIDERED
FAR PREFERABLE THATTHE END
SHOULD COME AS THE RESULT
OF PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS
TITAN THAT IT SHOULD BE Ac-
CoatPANIED BY HOSTILE DEMON
STATIONS ON THE PART OF THE
UNITED STATES, HENcD THE DIS
POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT IS
TO GIVE SPAIN a FAIR oPPoRTU-
N1TY TO SECURE AN. ARMlSTICE
WITH THE CUBANS AND TO AL
Low HER A AREASoNABLE TIME IN
WHICH TO COME TO AN UNDER
STANDING WITH THE HosTILEs.
It can be stated upon nigh authority
that there has been no abatement OF the
Presidents intention to see that the war
IS terminated when It Is closed upon
terms that will render the Cutans prac-
tically free people. The friends OF the
administration feel that the situation IS
very delicate one and that much will
depend upon the course congress may
pursue. In the meantime the President
will on Wednesday send his message
asking that an appropriation be made for
the aid OF the destitute cubans.
The President saw q number OF the
members OF the cabinet at the white
house to-day. They dropped In one by
one until those present included Sccre-
tarles Bliss. Alger. Gage and Attorney
General Griggs. With them also wus
Assistant Secretary Day OF the state de-
partmert, who probably had some dis
patches to show the President. The
gathering was not 4 special cabinet
meeting. In the sense in which that term
Is generally used, but was simply q talk
between the President and his advisers,
such as occurred last Sunday concerning
matters on which he desired 10 consult
them. The Cuban question and the re-
port Of the Maine court OF inquiry were
the topics discussed. but so far as could
be asccrtained, nothing conclusive was
determined, one OF the members OF the
cabinet saying subsequently, that there
was nothing new tr startling In the sltu-
alton. The presence OF Judge Day
would infer that there were advices from
Minister Woodford. but further than an
acknowledgment that communication
is in progress between the state depart
ment and the minister, nothing could be
lScertained 50 b lt45F. q
AT the state, war and navy depart
ments during the earlier portions OF the
DAY there was little semblance OF the
Sabbath. Chiefs Of bureaus. clerks,
messengers and telegraph operators
were were At work. Probably never
never since the days OF the late war have
80 many officials gathered at the war
ana navy departments on Sunday.
Dispatches that came over night regard
Ing the movements OF ships, and other
matters were received and as many OF
them required prompt answers in the
present emergency replies were for
Secretary Long. however, did not ap-
pear mt the navy department during the
tay n5 most OF the matters requiring at.
;t"ntion were those that could as well be
attended TO By bureau officials and their
assistants. - - ! 4,
Assistant Secretary Day spent q por-
lion Of the Sabbath at the state depart.
ment. and there received call from the
spanish m!nlr:er, n rather unusual pro.
cedtrs indicating Important matters fois
consideration. The conference las:rf
some Tine but Its nature could not .ht
learned fit3 "A n nm +. II