The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-30
REMAINS FIRM.
(ConcIuded from First Page


their several occupations unmoested. This
| statement is made by unquestionable au-
thority, and since that demand was COM
municated to Spain the President has not
| taken a step backward or allowed himself
to be persuaded into modifying it IN the
least particular. Spains final reply to this
demand, it is known, is now receiving the
| earnest consideration of the Spanish GU
| thorities at Madrid. and their final reply
may be reasonably expected within the next
| few days. Should these demands be re-
| Jected there is the highest authority for
| stating that the President would not hest
tate moment as to his future course but
would Immediately lay the whole record be-
fore Congress and be guided by its instruc-
ton. AS preliminary step towards peace
1t has been proposed to Spain, though this
last proposition has not taken the shape of
demand, as yet at least, that the Spanish
government withdraw its troops from the
island and that the Cubans be given their
independence on a basis of indemnity that
would be regarded as just in amount by the
United States and other nations of the world
and fair to both contending parties.
The question of an armistice has not been
agreed to by either this country or Spain,
though there is no doubt that Spain sug-
gested an armistice. What terms of peace
will be acceptable to the President cannot
be stated, but it is asserted that no PROPOSE
ton will be considered that does not in
volve the practical if not the actual indie
pendence of the Cubans. Under these cir
cumstances the members of the admins
tration think it only fair to the President
that the people should wait with patience
the result of the pending negotiations,
since there is no more loyal American than
the President or one who will hesitate less
than he when the hour for action has ar
rived.
There is little doubt that the French gov
eminent is ready to tender it's good offices
as meditaor between the United States and
Spain if any intimation is conveyed by this
country that such offices would be accept
able. Without such intimation it is doubt
full whether France will take the initiative.
In diplomatic circles it is pointed out that
the interests of France, both material and
sentimental, favor an avoidance of war. One
material reason is that France il preparing
for the international exposition, when the
worlds tide of travel will be turned towards
the French capital. 1t is said that war at
such time would be seriously prejudicial
to this great project. Another material in
terest affecting France is that her citizens
own many Spanish securities, so that any
decline resulting from war would fall large
ly on French capitalists While these are
important considerations urging France to
avert hostiites, yet they are not, of course,
such as could be advanced as the actual
grounds for a tender of good offices Such
move would be promised solely on senti-
mental grounds, namely on the friendship of
trOVerSy
Representative Lewis, of Washington to-
day introduced in the House a resolution
asking information of the President as to
what he communicated to the Spanish gov
eminent DIS the views of the government Of
the United States upon the court of inquiry
on the destruction of the Maine, and ask
ing that such Information be communicated
to Congress at once.
AT the close of the Cabinet meeting to-
day Secretary Alger said: 80 far from
there being any difference of opinion among
the members of the Cabinet. they are all in
hearty accord with the President and have
been without single exception. When he
read to them yesterday his message on the
Maine there was not dissenting voice nor
a suggestion of change. 1t commanded the
approval of every member. How could the
President have said more? He gave Con-
Stress tne report at once, ana STATED that he
had forwarded 1T to Spain and is awaiting
her reply. He must take one step at a time.
1t may be said further that there need be
no lear that lie will not take the next. He
has not lost moment in presenting not
only the Maine incident, but the whole sit
uation to Spain. The country can well af-
ford to await the result of the negotiations
which will be promptly made known, what
ever the result
Senators and others who have talked with
the President last evening and to-day say
that the proposition for the armistce came
from Spain, and, while it is being consid-
cred by the President in connection with
other negotiations, he has insisted that any
proposed armistice must be coupled with
other conditions which Spain has not shown
a disposition to accept and. perhaps. will
not accept. The tenor Of the conditions are
not stated but look to permanent peace
and self-government by the Cubans. IT was
stated by one senator that matters would
time