Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-03-31
DEMAND UPON SPAIN
President Mckinley Wants Hostili-
ties In Cuba Brought to an End.
PROPOSITION FOR an ARTISTIC.
The President Tired Of Being Criticised and
May Ask Congress tn Work Out the
Probiem-An Ultimatum sent
to Spain.

WASHINGTON, March 3O.-The cabi.
net meeting yesterday developed moth
ing new. The president remains stead
fast in his convictions as TO what Is his
duty, and adverse criticism, which 1t
is asserted is mainly due to misinfor.
nation as to the situation or ignorance
OF the presidents purpose, will not be
permitted to swerve him In the least
degree from the course he has planned.
As already stated, the president
some days ago made q peremp
tory demand upon Spain to put an
end Immediately to hostilities in Cuba,
to release the reconcen trados and to
permit them to return to their homes
and resume their several occupations
unmoested. This statement is made
by unquestionable authority, and
since that demand was communicated
to Spain the president has not taken a
step backward or allowed himself to
be persuaded into modifying it in
the least particular. SPANS final re-
ply to this demand, it is known, Is
now receiving the earnest considera.
ton of the Spanish authorities at
Madrid and their final reply may be
reasonably expected within the next
few days. Should these demands be
rejected, there is the highest authority
for stating that the president would
not hesitate a moment as to his future
course, but would Immediately lay the
whole record before congress and be
guided by It's instructions.
As preliminary step toward peace,
it has been proposed to Spain, though
this last proposition has not taken the
shape of demand as yet at least, that
the Spanish government withraw its
troops from the island and that the
Cubans be given their Independence
on 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 oontending
parties. The question OF an ar
mistice has not been agreed to
by either this country or Spain,
though there is no doubt that Spain
suggested an armistice. What terms
of peace will be acceptable to the presi-
dent cannot be stated, but it is as.
serted that no proposition will be con-
sidered that does not involve the prac.
tical, If not the actual, independence
OF the Cubans, Under these crcum-
stances the members OF the admins
tration think it only fair to the presi-
dent that the people should wait with
patience the result of the pending me-
gotiations, since there is no more
loyal American than the president, or
one who will hesitate less than he
when the hour for action arrives.
TIRED OF BEING CRITICISED.
CnIcAGo March 80. "A Washington
special to the News says. There is
only one chance In hundred that war
will be averted." Such was the re-
mark yesterday afternoon Of one Of
the most prominent members OF the
cabinet, who has been conspicuous as
a peace member" Private Secretary
to the President Porter said yesterday
afternoon that the president had deter
mixed to settle the issue this week.
and a message Is looked for to-day. 1.-THE
president" said Mr., Porter, us tired
Of the criticism Of congress- He will
ask congress to do one OF two things
Either take the question and settle it
in its own way or leave the executive
free and untrammeled. The president
feels he cannot be blamed and criti-
cised.' There is scarcely doubt that
congress in its present temper will de-
clare war 1t is expected that to-day
will see the president unload upon
congress the entire situation and,
without making recommendation,
leave the Legislative branch of the
government to work out the problem
N its own way.
AN ULTlMATuM SENT TO SPAIN.
CHICAGO, March SO.-A special to the
Chronicle from Washington says The
positive statement was made by Secre-
tary Alger last night that President
Mckinley had sent an ultimatun to
Spain and that that fact will be COM
municated to congress to-day. 1t was
impossible to obtain definite informa-
ton from the white house.