The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-29
STRAIN LESS SEVERE.
Spain Inclined TO Make
Concessions.
PEACE HIGHLY PROBABLE.
War Now Looked Upon as Only a
Possibility.
CALLING A HALT IN CUBA.
Independence May Be Treated for
During an ArmistiCs.

washington, March 2O-To-day has been
one of action in every branch of official
life.
Seldom has a day been replete' with so
many diverse and important phases of a
single subject.
And yet. throughout this activity the
prevailing tone, as received from adminis-
tration sources. has been more assuring,
more in the line of peace than it has been
for some days.
This was the impression conveyed by
cabinet officers after the special cabinet
session.
The same sentiment characterized the
diplomatic conferences at the state depart
ment.
But in Congress, which afforded the
greatest field for anti-spanish and warlke
expressions a strain of discomfort and un-
easlness prevailed after the Presidents
message and the Maine report was sub
mitted, especially on the House side.
The Presidents message, submitting the
Maine report and accompanying evidence
was the main event of the day.
Those who had anticipated that the
message would contribute to the aggres-
siye spirit were disappointed. 1t contain
ed no surprise
special cabinet session was held 10 so
over the Presidents message, and more
particularly to consider the developments
in the negotiations now proceeding with
Spain. These had assumed wide field,
embracing not only the Maine question,
but the entire Cuban problem.
The answer Of Spain was in hand. to the
firm note sent through Minister Woodfo-d
last week, stating that the condition of
Cuban affairs had become so intoleraole
that the United States could not much
longer remain inactive toward it.
The general tone of the Spanish answer
impressed the President and cabinet Of
ficers most favorably, so much so that,
after the meeting, it was stated by men,
bers that the outlook was far more as
suring; that Spain had shown such con-
ciatory tone that it was believed she
would make concessions sufficient to per-
nit an amicable adjustment of the pres
ent strained relations.
This was qualified, however, by the
statement that the danger point has not
yet passed, and that war, while no longer
a probability, was yet a possibility.
Meantime, at the state department, ca
Diagrams were being received from Minis
ter Woodford and the Spanish minister,
Senor Polo Bernabe, was in lengthy
conference with Judge Day as to the pros
pective adjustment. The meeting between
the Spanish minister and Judge Day came
after the cabinet conference, so that such
representations as Spain submitted
through him did not get before the cabi-
net
Al least two of these new phases sub
mitted by the minister were of exceeding
Importance. The Spanish government
MADE 1t known that no objection would
be made to the humanitarian objects of
the United States government in extend
lhg relief to the sufferers in Cuba, on a
1ar greater scale than hitherto had been
contemplated. On the contrary, Spain has
made known that it recognizes the hui
name purposes animating this country and
mat II does not doubt that these pur-
poses will be executed In such way as
70 avoid all opportunities for friction. 1t
Is nor expected that the relief will be car
Iled In warships, as this would introduce
purely humane. This acquiescence by
SPAN clears the way for the Presidents
message of the next few days, asking a
large appropriation for the relief of des-
utution in Cuba.
another important Spanish document
winch reached the government during the
Gay was the abstract of the report of the
spanish naval commission, which inves-
usated the destruction Of the Maine. 1t
- me only answer Spain has thus far
mace to the action OF this government in
submitting 70 Spain, through Mr.. Wood
aUld' the findings OF the American court.
me conclusions reached by the Spanish
oVlhnission are directly the opposite OF
nose ef The American court. No de-
nahds have been made in connection with
'ne Maine and, therefore, there is no re-
sEonse beyond the submission of the Span
ish report
Is said upon what appears to be the
eest OF authority that the difficulty with
Spaln Is In a fair way of being solved by
elpomacy. A plan of settlement was sub
Al.lted 70 the government a Madrid day
VI vi TWO ago, which is understood 10 have
me approval of Seuor Sagasta, the Span
i9i premier. 1t Is that there shall be ces-
sation Of hostilities in Cuba for six months
uhul oct Land that IN the meantime
.ne reconeentradoes shall be fed by the
ohited States ASSISTED by Spain. During
tAe armistice negotiations will be carried