The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-03

Copyrighted ls9s by the Associated Press.
LONDON. April 2-The nervousness OF
the stock markets. which was emphasized
by sudden drop Of per cent. In Spanish
fours AZ the opening Of the stock ex-
matic circles. which have experienced al
most ~ much difficulty as ou,siders In
extracting facts from the mass OF contra
dlctory statements regarding the Hispano-
Asuerican crisis today. Beyond opinion
generally that matters were nearing
crisis. there was not a man In London OF
real weight who was willing TO risk IN
opinion ~ to whether the outcome would
be peace or war. Even now. there is q
difference OF opinion: but the distinctly
warlike tone Of the great mans OF evidence
and the marked divergence of the United
States demands and Spalns proposals..
have fed the majority TO coscluds that
the partinx Of the ways has been reached.
unless. within few hours. ssnor sasasta
u able to give AssufAnces that the delay
he asks for win insure the complets freA-
dom Of Cuba.
1t Is not TOO much to say that all Europe
regrets II. though for different reasons,
some because genuinely friendly nations
are involved and others because they
dream that the war bacillus will spresd
and aggravase the fsverish spirit OF un-
rest already In evidence In the Old World.
TO the last therefore. It is hoped that a
solution VII be found. even when Spain
Is apparently intractab.e. The best In
formed persons believe Spain In only tenn
porixing. and it Is recognized that II u
cifficul; for the Spanish government TO
United States. In view OF the danger of
a revelation and the overthrow OF the
monarchy So. though realizing the immi-
Bence of hostilities. the apparent hope
lessness Of averting war has come as .
shock. II was generally believed tha, the
enormous majority obtained by Senor Sa-
gasta In the new cortes would make him
master OF Spain and permi, him to yield
to the inevitable. but II seems that the
IS per cent. OF the voters who did not par
tcIpate ia the elections. Including the
army and the Barcelona and other rner-
chants who are vitality Interested In Cuba.
do not propose 10 allow him free hand.
They have been among the most fervent
In the patriotic demonstrations OF the pas,
few days
General interest ia the situation Is In
tense. All the news bulletins are eagerly
scanned. and In the lobhies Of the house
OF commons yesterday evening there was
a.. saA -
est has been enhanced By the sta;emea.
OF prominent xhip-owning member of
the house OF commons that the United
States during the day had been Offering
very large sums for nlneteen-kno; steam
ers.
Although the consensus of opinion is
that there Is no escape from hessin,ies un-
isss the unforeseen, ~ SO frequently hap
pens In politics, changes tho course OF
events. there are a few hopeful peorie
left. Mr.. James Brice. NJ p, the former
preslden; Of the Board OF Trade and au-
Is quoted as saying:
Somehow, fancy that. "a near as the
two powers may have drifted toward war.
we are not geing TO witness so frsghtful a
calamity. l know President Mckinley and
all his administration. and know they
DO not wish for war. In fact. noae Of ths
really cisarsheadesi men In tae United
States want war. They see too far ahead
Opinion In London has been little inf.u-
snced by the character OF senor sagssta's
counter proposals. As an official Of the
foreign office remarked:
'T'he Americans will naturally decline 10
accept such proposals as sufficient guar
ansee that power which has so long sig
naliy failed 10 discharge itS duties Ia
humane administration can be trusted to
give effect 70 IS tardy conyersion-"
The foreign official added:
THE responsibility resting upoa each
party IS terrible Happily nothing will
fesd 80 Thoroughly 10 qgickea the feeling
aulasag Spanish statesmen the prospect
OF having 20 face Immediately :ae grim
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