Evening star., 1898-04-08
WAR IS CERTAIN
Unless Spain Makes Concessions,
Which is Not Likely.
TODAY'S CABINET MEETING
Plans for the Beginning Of Rostili-
ties Discussed.
SIGNIFICANT INDICATIONS TODAY
Consul to Porto Rico Preparing to
Leave.
SIGNIFICANT INDICATIONS TODAY
POWERS TO GO NO FURTHER

The Spanish-American situation is re-
garded today as even graver than at any
time heretofore. Hopeful views Of peace
have given way.
1t is asserted that the European powers
will take no further steps toward media
tion here.
1t is said that General Lee will make some
startling disclosures regarding the con-
spiracy to blow up the Maine when he ap-
pears before the foreign relations commit
tee
The deputy treasurer of the Cuban re-
public testified before the House foreign
affairs committee today that only $122 coo
of Cuban bonds had been disposed of. He
told how the famous De LONE letter was
secured.
The Navy Department named command
ers for the vessels bought from the Nor
gan line of steamships.
The United States consul to Porto Rico
will leave at once
General Lee will leave Havana tomorrow.
Many army officers on duty at military
colleges have been ordered to their regi-
ments.
The new tug Wilmot, bought by the gov
ernment. has been named the Potomac.
The Italian schoolship Amerigo Vespucci
arrived of Fort Foote.
The Spanish cabinet at Madrid was re-
ported to be considering with unusual Sc
crecy some question of grave Importance
1t was surmised that the matter might be
a communication from the pope.
A member of the Spanish cabinet was
quoted as saying that he regarded war with
the United States as inevitable.
Not a line from Madrid. Not a line from
Lee, except that Havana was quiet No
hope for peace except of the frailest ma
ture. Uncle Sam and Spain both standing
firm.
This represented the outlook as viewed at
today's cabinet meeting. which did not
last over an hour and q half. At its con-
clusion cabinet members gave out the fore
going information. Each member who
quietly expressed his belief to friends said
that there is practically no hope in the
administration that war will be averted.
Every man thinks that another week will
see actual hostilities in progress. If Spain
makes no further concessions war is GER
tain TO be the outcome. The President s
message rests in big package. sleeping
like lazy lion until called into action.
Not a scratch of the pen has been made in
IL since Wednesday morning. Not change
will be made unless Spain shifts her posi-
ton completely and in such a manner that
sincerity. The message now lying so quiet
ly will start the conflict.
No disappointment was expressed IN the
cabinet meeting that there was nothing
from Madrid. This had been expected since
yesterday morning. when the news of the
iractton of the Spanish cabinet came. The
brief message of General Lee was crafty
Ing.
The cabinet read press dispatch saying
that the Spanish censor would allow nc
more cipher kilograms to leave his place
That also created no surprise. and it was
the feehng that General Lee is not likely
to have any necessity for sending or re-
ceiving more cipher messages The act
was. however, considered as typical o1
Spanish work.
Discussed by the Cabinet.
Beyond a general discussion of the Incl
dents of the last few days there was little
else in the cabinet room that would interes
the public, unless it was the completion Of
the plans that havs been making for be-
ginning hostilities. These plans were no
discussed by the cabinet as a whole. bu
the President is thought 10 have consulted
with his navy and war secretaries about
certain movements.
The note OF the European powers yester
day was talked over with a good deal Of
interest. The cabinet found satisfaction i,
the response of the President and in the
entire incident. The note is regarded t
have conceded the riglt of this country t.
interfere in Cuba. Nothing further Is ex
pected from the powers.
The President and his advisers are conf
dent that Europe will take part in tn,
coming conflict There will be no chang,
CT the Presidents policy as a result of yes
terday's note. The ambassadors of thi:
country are thought to have telegraphet
this government fully as to the intention.
exchange of notes was in progress In lsu
rope, prior to a delivery here, the Unitet
States ambassadors kept this governn.en
well posted. The fight will be to a finis,
without Intervention Of any kind from Eu
rope The only possibility is that, il tn.
powers saw that the very existence o
Spain was threatened after the war wa