The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
NO ANSWER FROM SPAIN.
Senior Sagasta Has Not Replied to
Minister WOOdford,s Note.

ABLY renewed to-day, as the worst, for the
present az least, had become known in the
publication of the material points of the
court of hlquiry's report and little remained
but to await calmly the submission of the
full report and the Presidents message to
Congress early next week. Such cable COM
munications as may have passed between
Washington and Madrid in regard to the re-
port were closely guarded by officials. 1t
was known, however, that Minister Wood
ford had been cabled to notify the Spanish
government as to the results found by the
American court, particularly that the ex-
plosion was external and that the response
bility for the external explosion had not
been definitely fixed. This cablegram, it can
now be stated, was sent from Wash
ington Thursday night. The fact that
it was dispatched before the ar
rival of Commander Mark bearing the full
text of the report and the evidence ap-
pears on it's face to invoke contradiction.
1t can be stated only that the cablegram
was sent to Minister Woodford. directing
him to give this notification to the Spanish
government, on Thursday night. 1t is be-
leved that this dispatch went no further
than directing the results to be made
known to the Spanish government, with
view of leaving the responsibility with
Spain of making such response as seems
appropriate on such an occasion. Up to to-
night no action on the part of the Spanish
government had been officially commune
Gated to Washington. 1t is not doubted
that the Spanish Ministry and Minister
Woodford had conferred on the subject, but
that any formal or final course of action
had been determined upon is not probable.
Besides the Maine event, the Spanish Cab
met is to-day on the eve of a fierce pOliti-
cal conflict which terminates tomorrow in
elections for the Cortes, so that this may
cause some slight delay.
President Mckinley had a comparatively
quiet day after the excitement of yesterday.
There were rumors of special Cabinet meet
ings, but these did not occur. The Cabinet
officers devoted their attention solely to de-
partmental affairs. Secretary Long left his
office at 1880 p. M, remarking that he had
not seen the President in twenty-four hours
and that his entire day had been given to
detail. AS he left the department, however,
he went to the White House and joined the
President. Judge Day, likewise, started
about the same time for the White House.
1t was stated, however, that the confer
ences did not relate to the Maine disaster,
so far as Secretary Long was concerned,
from the $4,000, 900 defense fund to receive
the signature of the President, no expendi-
ture from this extraordinary appropriation
being made until the President considers
the item and gives his written authority
for it.
Before going to the White House Judge
Day had a long conference with Assistant
Secretary Of State Adee, whose particular
forte is the framing of State Department
papers to meet diplomatic requirements.
Whether it related to the Spanish matter
could not be learned, for on this Judge Day
and all others in the State Department
maintained the most complete silence.
Judge Day declined to say whether any dis
patches had gone to Madrid or come from
there concerning the Maine report or the
Cuban question. The Spanish minister did
not call at the State Department during the
day, nor has he been there within the last
two days.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas
sador spent some time with Judge Day dur
ing the afternoon, but it is understood to
have no relation with the Cuban question.
1t is undoubtedly true, however, that the
British ambassador had learned officially the
essential conclusion reached by the Ameri-
can court of inquiry, and that the British
government is apprised of the facts. An
official in high standing, referring to Sir
Julian's call, stated that the Maine report
was one more factor towards inducing Eu-
| ropean governments, particularly Great
Britain, to take cognizance of the dreadful
condition of affairs prevailing in Cuba, and
to look at least with sympathy if not with
more practical means to an Intervention
which would put an end to such suffering.
Col
night were caused by the entertainment of
several visitors at the White House and
brief individual calls of two members of the
Cabinet. The President entertained at din
ner Vice President Hobart and Senator
Fairbanks, of Indiana Later on, Secretary
Long and Attorney Gen. Griggs paid brief
separate visits, but they were stated to be
entirely of a personal nature. Some signif-
icance attached to call of Chief Clerk
Michael, of the department, who bore sew
eral documents for the Presidents consid-
GRAFTON, but he denied that they were of any
unusual Importance. Senator Hale, chair
man of foreign relations committee, talked
with the President for some time.
Secretary Long tonight specifically stated
that the question of action to intercept the
Spanish torpedo fiotilla had not been taken
up to-day AS the fotilla is still pushing
slowly ahead in midocean, afar from means
of communication 1t is not likely to be
heard from for some time and officials
meanwhile are at loss to know its where
abouts. Asked as to a report of the receipt
of a reply from Minister Woodford, Secre-
tary Long said the reply had not come to
his knowledge and his department had not
been advised of the fact IL such commune
cation had been received.
Late tonight Assistant Secretary Day re-
fused to either affirm or deny report that
Minister Woodford's response to the cable
gram advising him of the findings of the
Maine court of inquiry was already in the
administrations hands.
Gen. Daniel Sickles, who was United
States minister to Madrid during the criti-
cal period of the Virginius affair was at
the War Department to-day and had talk
with Secretary Alger. Later, in an inter-
view, he said: Il am still hopeful that in
the present case we will not be compelled
to go to that last recourse. war. There is
always the hope that sensible people and
nations can adjust their differences without
taking up the sword. The Maine disaster
and the report of the court OF inquiry nat
uralIy complicate the situation very Sc
ricusly, and make a pacific settlement far
more difficult. And yet the Maine affair is
but one feature OF the Cuban problem, md
looking at all the preparations and such in