The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-08

Washington. April s-There is no
longer any doubt as to the purposes Of
this government with respect to the
situation In Cuba. War, in the opinion
OF the administration. Is inevitable. ex-
cept In the unlocked for event OF sur
render on the part Of Spain. The presi-
dents message has not been changed in
any particular. and embodies the unani-
nous views OF the cabinet without the
slightest variance or exception. Any
movement to avert war now must come
can demands, including an end to Spain's
dominion In Cuba.
Probably the most significant. actual
step. showing the finality reached by
the United States. was the eauthoritative
statement that Consul General Lee
would leave Havana tomorrow. This
step, 1t is known, will be regarded by
Spain as akin to an overt act preceding
war. as 1t will terminate the medium of
official intercourse between the United
States and the island. Almost equally
important was the ominous tone OF press
advlces from Madrid, where the war
fever seemed to have dominated, instead
OF the concessions. the opening of prison
doors. and the other manifestations OF
peace and good will which Holy Thurs
day was expected to bring forth, and
the more definite announcement of ac-
tion that woIld bring peace to Cuba.
The heavy guard about Minister Wood
ford's house, the imperative character
OF his last note. the war utterances of
Minister Correo and the turbulence at
the Spanish capital left little hope that
peace counsels would prevail. No nego-
tiatio ., are proceeding at Madrid on the
part Of this government, but the powers
OF Europe. 1t is understood. are doing
their utmost to persuade the Spanish
government to yield and 1vert war. On
the highest authority IL can be stated
that no instructions have been given as
yet to Minister Woodford contemplating
his withdrawal. the only step In that
direction being the determination that
General Lee shall leave Havana on
Saturday.
Tne note OF the European powers, in
the opinion of members OF the adminis-
tration. has not changed the situation
In the slightest degree. What pressure
was brought to bear to secure even this
mildly expressed hope that further ne
gotiations would result In the mainten-
ance Of peace Is not known, but Ii is
confidently believed that II is the result
Of persistent appeals on the part Of
Spain for some expression In favor of
peace between the two countries The
note Is not regarded in any sense as a
protest against the course this govern
ment has pursued thus far. or is likely to
adopt to secure a stable government in
Cuba Some OF the governments rep
resented In the note are known to be in
full accord with this government in its
purposes with respect to the Cuban
question. and therefore any theory that
the note was intended as a remembrance
is not regarded as tenable. The rer.y of
this government, which had previously
been read and approved by members of
the cabinet. 10 not considered as indi-
eating any change In the fixed purpose
OF the president to intervene at once in
Cuba. nor is II believed that it was the
expectation of a majority OF the foreign
representatives present that the United
States should change its policy, or treat
the Joint note as other than an express
sion in behalf Of peace and without
special significance. So far as known
In administration circles no further rep
resentations on this subject are expect
ed. No offer Of mediation on the part of
any European power has been received,
and there is high authority for the state
ment that none would be accepted IL
proffered. This has been the fixed
policy Of the government from the first
and there is no prospect of a change in
this regard.
At the embassies and legations the
presentation OF the Joint note Of the
powers was viewed as the event of the
day. An ambassador from one of the
great powers Of continental Europe
state that It was without parallel in
history; that II was the first and the
only time that the six great nations of
Europe, representing In the aggregate
the power Of civilization, had united in
this solemn manner to secure the peace
Of the world. 1t was. this high authority
stated. a movement historical In charac-
ter and one fitting to occur on the advent
of the goth century. The response of
the president created most favorable
impression In foreign quarters. II was
looked upon. to some extent as a coun-
ter-appeal to the great powers for their
cooperation In the cause OF humanity
against the intolerable condition of af-
fairs In Cuba. In some quarters there
was disposition to read between the
lines, and to give the answer a sugges-
tive character beyond the mild phrases
adopted. This was not the generally
accepted view. however. The favorable
manner OF its reception was looked upon
as wise move At this critical juncture.
for. without rejecting as an intrusion
these foreign suggestions. they were 30
ise OF sympathy rather than opposi-
tion from the most powerful Joint in
auences in the world.
The opinion in the senate and house
u that war must come. Even the most
optimistic of the conservative senators