Evening journal., 1898-03-31

will be dispatched with the cruisers
Maria Teresa and Cristobal Colon 90
Join the Vizcaya and the Almlrante
Oquendo IN Cuban waters, thus forming
squadron Of six armored vessels
against Americas seven.
1l Pals says four warships have been
obtained by Spain in France and that
negotiations are pending FOR the pur-
chase of several torpedo boats in Great
Britain. orders have been Issued TO
mobilize all the Spanish warships, and
the torpedo boat FALCON is to sail im-
mediately from Cartagena for Cadiz,
where second torpedo squadron is be-
ing prepared. Military engineers are
starting for the Canary islands. and the
Balearlc islands are being fortified.
Italy, II is said by El Pals, has de-
cided TO sell the annored cruiser
Giuseppe Garibaldl, of 6.s40 tons and
well armored. sister ship Of the Varese,
90 Spain. Two regiments. according to
I'll Pals, are going to the Canary is
lands to strengthen the Spanish gar
rlson there.
The United States minister. General
Stewart L. Woodford, is working ener-
geticaily and will continue TO work
gun Is fired. II is known the Span
ish government admits the desirabllity
or necessity Of complying with the de-
mands OF the United States. and It is
only IN the disnclination Of the min
listers to put this willingness into con-
crete form that the danger lies. If a
conference We're TO be held with British,
German or French diplomats the mat
ter would be settled without question.
The point which General Woodford is
now pressing is that in the interest OF
humanity hostilites I'm Cuba must
cease Immediately. No date was fixed
either in the first or in the present note.
but the United States is now dwelling
upon the meaning Of the word "imme-
diately" and insisting that Spain ac-
cept it's general Interpretation
cabinet council was held yesterday
afternoon to consider the American pro-
posals. Another was held today, pre-
sided over by the queen regent, and at
4 o'clock today there will be a final con-
ference between United States Minister
Woodford, senor sagasta, the premier:
Senior Gullon, the foreign minister, and
Senor Moret, the minister for the colo
nies.
The proposition to which Spain will
answer covers two points only, and its
publication will be n revelation to some
Of those abroad who have been de-
nouncing Americas aggressive attitude.
II Is as follows Spain to proclaim i'm
mediately an arnistice In Cuba to last
until October. during which interval the
! United States Will use its good offices
with the insurgents to make this tenn
| porary peace permanent; second, Spain
TO do her best toward relieving suffer-
ing and starvation on the island, with
/ America TO be allowed to assist In this
work
Tho public generally Is taking little
I apparent interest in the situation. but
there is a general disinclinatlon to be-
lieve that war is likely. A dispatch from
| Barcelona says that the armed steam
/ yacht Giralda. purchased. by the Span
ish government from Mr.. Henry Nc
| Calmont, the we'll known English race
horse owner, after the vessel had been
rejected by the United States, is now
being fitted up as a dispatch boat
The Armstrong; Spanish agent, a
Spaniard. who is In touch with. the gov
ernment and commercial people in
| Spain, has expressed the belief that un-
less the powers intercede there will be
war. He added. IF the United States
/ oAtltu Hlbheg LuI OuK tlttllub oul OF
! Cuba wo could not accept, but If the
| proposition emanated from another
power 1t Is not unlikely that 1t would be
! accepted"
This view of the case Is echoed by a
portion of the Spanish press which ad-
vises Spain to wash her hands Of Cuba.
Senior Ortiz de Zarate a prominent for
mer Carllst deputy, who has Just been
defeated az Vittoria, expressed the opin-
ion that there would be no war. saying:
I'VE have neither ships, sailors, SOL
diers, plans nor money, and the govern
ment knows It. II will struggle TO the
last and then cave in"
Senior Zarate, who was recently al
Cadiz, says the Spanish warships Pc
layo and Carlos V. which the govern
ment announces to be ready for sea
cannot be made ready sooner than in
| two roontha