The age-herald., 1898-04-07
Nothing New at Night

amount or routine attendant upon the re cent work of preparation, things today settled own almost to the normal.
 Nothing New at Night
 The most careful investigation in official circles tonight failed to develop anything in support of the theory that the delay of the presidents message was due to the situation at Madrid rather than that at Havana. When the announcement was made today that the message had been withheld the inference was drawn in some congressional circles that the delay was partially influenced by the attitude of the queen regent, who was reported willing to yield everything demanded by the United States, provided 1t could be done without preciphtaIting a popular disturbance in Spain. Previous dispatches of a pending cabinet crisis in Madrid tended to confirm this. It was reiterated that the crux of the situation was in Havana. This was con- firmed by members of the foreign relations committees, to whom this explanation had been made in such form that they pro- fessed themselves satisfied to accept it.
 With Varying Degrees of Favor
 The delay in the settlement of the Cuban question involved in the announcement made today that the presidents message would probably not be sent Ito congress be- fore next Monlihy was received in the sen- ate with varying degrees of favor and dis favor depending largely upon the predflec- tions and personal and political associa- tions of senators All united in the neces- sdty of protecting the safety of General Lee and the other American citizens in Cuba. Many however, were inclined to criticise because our citizens had not been removed heretofore, while others declared protec- tion for them should have been sent to Havana
 ''It is a hurndliating spectacle" said Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania, that with our feet within ninety miles of Havana, n0f abla t1O protect D6iOD.8 11l that port.'
 1.-The request" eaid Senator Proctor, merely illustrates the character of the peo- pie we are dealing with in this matter"
 Intense Cuban sympathizers on both sfdies of the senate chamber were free in their expression of opinion that there was some motive for delay that did not appear on the surface. They did not question the good faith of the report as to the danger of Americans In Cuba, but they agreed tnat there must have been other causes for the admindS,ration's course. When the Madrid bulletin stating tine probability of an armisitice in Cuba was made known they found in it a verifcation of their sur mises. At one time during the afternoon the indication was strong that dfeeatisfac- tion would find voice in the open session of the erate, but those who felt disposed to discuss tine question were restrained large ly from a feeling of delicacy because not fully sure of the ground.
 Found No Encouragement
 The conservative element did not find en- couragement in the situation. They were not displaced over the prospect of delay, but they expressed regret at the occasion for it. "The publication of the fact of dan ger to Americans in Cuba," said one of them, twill set the country aflame, and the war spirit will be more rampant than ever"
 Senator Elkins was among the conserva- tives who expressed apprehension as to the effect of the reports of Gen. Lee, but he found great encouragement in the outlook for a peaceful settlement of the difficulty.
 (ContinuS on Second Page.)