Evening journal., 1898-04-04
President Working Hard
on His Message to
Congress.
WHAT SPAIN Is DOING.
Torpedo FlOtlla to Stay at Cape
Verde For the Present.
DONS ASK CUBANS FOR ARMISTICE.
spanish Ships Reported In Bad Condl-
tion-The Carlos Sails For FerroI.
Prospects For AIedlation-Nayal
Reserves on Duty.

Reserves on Duty.
WASHINGTON, April 4.--The opinion
almost universally held in Washington
by leading public men and diplomats
is that the crisis will reach It's climax
this week and that the question Of war
or peace will be determined within the
next seven days. Senators and repre-
sentatives met and conferred all day
yesterday about the gravity OF the sit
uation, and at the White House the
president counseled with several mem
bers Of his cabinet and other connden-
tial advisers regarding the message
which he Is preparing to send to con-
gress. At the state. war and navy de-
partments active work was going on.
and altogether It was a day of sup
pressed feeling No absolute day has
been yet announced when the message
is to be sent TO congress. Possibly Il
will be sent tomorrow, but more prob
ably Wednesday or Thursday.
In addition to the physical work OF
preparing the comprehensive document
upon which the president expects TO
rest Americas case with the world
there are other reasons why those In
charge OF the war preparations will
welcome every hours delay. War ma
terial which we have ordered abroad Is
not yet shipped, and the factories in this
country which are at work day and
night making powder and projectiles
are anxious for delay. Some OF the
factories IN Connecticut with contracts
have telegraphed Representative Hit
urging all the delay possible. They say
every day now Is precious.
There is still a divergence of opinion
as TO what the president will recon-
mend in his message; indeed, there
seems TO be still a question as TO wheth-
er the president will make any specific
recommendations. Some of his most in
Innate friends. however, assert en-
phaticaly that his recommendations
will be specific and vigorous and such
that his party and the country would
willingly follow where he points the
way. one Of these said last night that
the president in his strong desire for
peace and his earnest hope that war
might possibly be avoided was yielding
somewhat TO the sentiment OF the lead
ers OF his party and the country. He
has not given up hope yet that hostili-
ties may be averted.
There are those who believe the presi-
dent has not yet made up his mind as
20 the exact course he viii pursue, and
there seems to be a question as to
whether the consular reports and the
diplomatic correspondence are TO be
transmitted with the message. The sus-
pense caused by the necessary delay in
the preparation Of the message Is very
trying upoif members OF both houses,
and the most universally. discussed
question In Washington is whether con-
gress can be restrained until the presi-
dents message is received.
The Spanish minister has received a
dispatch from Havana stating that the
Autonomist cabinet there has address,
ed an appeal to the insurgents asking
20 arrange an armistice for the purpose
OF arriving at terms for peace. The fun
text OF the message could not be se-
cured, as its translation was not made
at the legation. The insurgents are ap-
pealed to on the ground that they are
all Cubans and should unite for peace
and liberty which all want. The appeal
also states that Spain is willing to en-
large the present scope Of autonomy
and will suggest such plan TO the
cortes, which is soon to meet.
The prospect OF European mediation
has aroused the kcenest interest
throughout diplomatic circles here, and
although inquiry at the leading embas-
sizes ana legations failed TO disclose thai
any actual move had been made vel
such a move is anticipated almost any
time, and when taken IL is felt that Il
viii be an important factor in the situ
alton. II has been expected that Franc,
would be the first to act by a tender O.
her good Offices. Up TO last night, how
ever, the French ambassador. NJ. Cam
bon, had received no instructions In thi
line. There Is the same anticipation
but lack Of definite action. in British
German and other diplomatic quarters.
1t is probable that mediation woul,
take definite form II the foreign repre-
sentatives were convinced that war wa
inevitable and was about to be declared
While they look upon the situation a
grave. the general sentiment anon
them IS that the matter has not ye
progressed beyond the range OF diplo
macy and a pacific settlement. For tina
reason there was a strong inclinatio
shown to wait until the presidents mes
sage was sent TO congress. the feelin
being that the real issue could not
determined until the message had bee
submitted.
At the outset Spain was most earnel
for mediation and to this end addresse
a note to the powers about ten da,
ago. Now, however, as the prospec
for mediation appear TO be growing, Il
Spanish authorities seem to be less II
clined toward this course. This may
due to the fact that Spain had look'
upon mediation as an indirect form
intervention OF the European powers
favor Of one Of their own number. n
Spanish note developed, however. tn
the powers were not ready for any SUI
radical step. France made the fin
declaration through Premier Hanotal
in the French chamber that Fran
would treat both parties alike
friends. This was an unexpected 7
verse for Spain. as she felt that 4
French ownership Of Martinique. Gu
delOupe and iner islands would incli
her sympathy with Spain in defendi
her sovercisn'y over Cuba.
1t was stated by one Of the emba