Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-28

| government of this country and that OF
| Spain looking to the maintenance OF
peace. for the present at least There
| is good authority for saying that
SPANS present wish is to secure Il ces-
saticn of hostilitics in Cuba rather than
| to engage in a war with the United
states and that it is more than probable
that the negotiations between the gov
eminent of the United States and the
Sagasta ministry will take that turn
in the immediate future.
The present Spanish ministry has
profcsSed a pacific disposition from the
beginning and the indications are
strong now that it will avail itself for
the good offices of the United States t.
the fullest extent that public opinion
in Spain will allow in bringing t" an
end the hostiIities in Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may so in assisting Spain in her o.
sign of securing an armistice is not
Nft uclttiilHtu 1ut the toiiStl httN =
element in the administration consid It
the manifestation of this desire on the
peace. a direct result of President Me
Kinlcys diplomacy and they are natu-
! rallN Disposed to contend that the Pres
| tenl should be left free FOR the present,
at least, to pursue a policy which prom
s"S much in the way of preventing war
| between this country and Spain and
| also of bringing to i close the hostil-
! tiles in cuba.
Hence there viii hc an effort on the
gross To continue to hold that body in
check and to public intlammatory Ut
terances there until this promising
diplomatic lead may he exploited ON
the part Of the administration. it j.
said that the development Of the situa-
ton viii not require a great length If
time and hence that there viii Toe no
extended delay.
\ policy has been fully determined
upon by the President II is To bring
the Cuban war to close This will he
accomplished by pointed intervention
if necessary but it is considered far
preferable that the end should come is
the result Of peaceful negotiation rather
than that it should be accompanied Ivy
hostile demonstration on the part Of
the United States hence the DISPOSE
ton of the President is to give Spain
a fair opportunity to secure an armis-
ticc with the Cubans and to allow her
a reasonable time in which to come to
an understanding with the hostile
1t can he stated upon high authority
that there has been no abatement of
the Presidents intention to see that the
war is terminated when ii is closed
upon terms that viii render the Cuhans
practically a free people. 1t is not he
lived that they would accept any thine
less nor the Americans would be salts
tied if we should encourage a settlement
that would not be acceptable to the
Cubans
II there should now hr an armiSti.".
ii would be With the concession mad"
by Spain at the instance of this country
that negotiations should be opened inn
mediatCy With the insurgents looking
to the establishment of a permanent
peace upon these terms. 1t has long
been tn" hope Of the administration To
bring Spain tn the point of making
preparations of this character as the
basis of a settlement most satisfactory
/ to all parties and it is hoped from
SPANS attitude that this time has ar
rived.
The friends Of the administration feel
that the situation is a very delicate one
and that much will depend upon the
cuurs" Congress may pursue. In tn"
meantime the President viii, Wcdnos-
day. send in his message asking that an
appropriation hc made for the aid Of
! h. tipetitutr tIbauS