Evening journal., 1898-03-31
ALLEYES ON SPAIN
Interest In the Cuban Sit
uatiOn Shifts Now
to Madrid.
AWAITING DONS' REPLY.
Spsniards Buy -Four More WarShips
and Order Mobilization.
MINISTER WOODFORD KEPT BUSY.

Democratic Lender baiiey tries 70 biihB
Things TO an Issue In Congress, but
Republicans Fall In Line and
Sustain the Speaker.
WASHINGTON, March St.-The vital
point In the Cuban sltuaton--viz, in
dependence-has shifted itself from
washington to Madrid. where the Span
ish government Is now giving grave
and earnest consideration to PROPOSE
tions presented by the government of
the United States on the answer TO
these propositions probably depends the
future course Of the relations between
Spain and the United States. 1t is be-
lieved that It is now but a question of
an exceedingly short time before the
inevitable crisis must come.
The propositions submitted by this
country contemplate a complete ana
immediate cessation Of hostllitles in
Cuba, the return OF the reconcentrados
20 their usual avocations and the in
dependence Of Cuba, this last feature
TO be secured probably on an indemnity
basis by which the island would pay
substantial sum for It's freedom from
Spanish rule.
These propositions take a wide scope,
and there are many details in the al
ternative propositions, the purpose be-
Ing to present every possible plan
promising n solution OF the Cuban prob
lem so long as an end Of the Cuban
war and Cuban independence are em-
bodied In the ultimate result. IL has
been made perfectly clear TO Spain that
nothing less than a close of the war
and the independence OF the island Will
suffice as an adequate settlement. Such
lesser methods as have been contem-
plated from time TO time are now put
aside for these more advanced and pos
tive positions. It is now for Spain TO
accept or reject these tenders. There
Is no disposition TO urge one rather
than another so long as the conclusion
finally reached brings the termination
OF the war and Cuban independence.
Never before until now has the Spanish
government even for a moment enter
talned such propositions.
Now in the stress Of the present emer-
gency, with declarations OF war intro
duced In the American congress- Spain
has reluctantly consented to consider
them. This IN itself has given lively
hope of satisfactory results, but II in
wolves a grave crisis in Spain, and It
cannot be foretold what the final action
at Madrid will be. Until yesterday Il
was believed that Spain would 1ndig-
nantly reject proposition involving
the independence OF Cuba, American
Intervention or the disappearance Of the
Spanish flag from the island either
through purchase by the Cubans or
otherwise,
There was the best of reason for the
official belief that as between peace and
-
choose war, but more hope apparently
Is entertained here of Spain being In a
yielding mood as the plans for solution
arc being carefully weighed with a view
TO final decision. As stated. that an
swer is believed TO be only question
Of perhaps two or three days. When Il
is received, the future course of this
government will be determined. II Is
the view of the administration that the
present week viii shape the policy OF
the future. whether Il IS TO be one OF
peace or of war;
Naturally this critical iuncture has
occasioned great interest here
coupled with no little excitement, as
word was passed about that the last
stage in the negotiations with Spain
was reached Many Of the leading mer
OF congress. senators and representa-
tlNeS calcu at the w mite House anU
conferred with the president. To thC
leaders In congress he stated that def.
mite results We're expected from Madrit
by Friday This served 10 allay the in
tense feeling which has been manifest
ed in congress. and through the inhu
ence OF tho leaders further radical ac
tion by the senate and house was fo
the time deferred.
At the capitol excitement was una
bated. The meeting Of the senate com
mittea on foreign relations occasione,
a great deal OF interest because OF tn
many warlilSe resolutions which wer
introduced and referred to that commit
tee On the house side there was al
intensity Of feeling. After the vote o
the Bailey resolution many Republican
went 10 the White House TO confer wit
the president and TO express 10 hir
their hope that something might b
promised which would relieve tn
strained situation. The assurance G
the president was given to these mem
bers that by Friday night at the lates
something definite could be expected
The situation at the capitol Is one G
waiting expectancy Senators and rer
resentatives are willing to give an
president an opportunity TO carry on
his plans. but there is impatience {
have some information regarding thos
plans and some assurances that the
viii not delay action too long.