Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-01
GIVEN UNTIL MONDAY
Limit Of Time the President Has
to Make the Spaniard
Toe the Mark.
EXPERIMENTATION WoODFoRD
Received at the White House Last
Night, but Its Import Not
Given Out,


Situation at the National Capital-Presi-
dent "Prays God That We May BE Able
to Keep Peace" but the Outlook Is Not
Peaceful-More Talk of European Medi-
ation-Call on the State Naval Reserves.
Washington, April 1.-Spain's official
reply to President Mckinley's latest
demand in the Cuban situation was re-
ceived in Washington last night. An
anxious party, comprising most of the
cabinet and several close friends of the
administration. waited till late in the
evening in expectation OF develop
ments. About 1920 the message began
to come, in cipher, and the work of
translation was begun at once. 1t was
officially stated, however, that no init
nation as to the nature of the reply
could be divulged last night.
New York, April Ia special from
Washington to The World gives the
following outline of Spain's reply to
the note presented by Minister Wood.
ford: Spain neither accedes to nor
declines President McKinley's PROPOSE
tons. She makes counter argument
that Spain should herself be allowed to
propose terms as to what should be
done regarding her own territory; that
the United States should not Go So"
Washington, April 1.-The Post this
morning says that SPANS reply is
neither q refusal. nor an agreement to
the presidents demands. and is prn-
cipally intended as a move for delay.
Day OF Anxious Waiting.
Washington. April 1.-Yesjerday was
q day of anxious waiting for Spain's
reply to the demands of the United
States contemplating the termination OF
the war in Cuba md the independence
of the island. On that reply, it was
universally believed. the issue between
peace or war would be decided; unless
some new and unexpected considera-
tions arose to postpone the issue fur
Their. But delay would meet the OPP
position of congress. The gravity of
the situation was felt in all official
quarters. 1t was not q day of rapid
development. but the tension was very
great from the uncertainty that pre-
vailed, ard the feeling that Spain would
not concede the complete independence
of Cuba. The White House continued
| to he thronged with congressional lead
| ers, anxious to learn from the president
| what his course was to be. The general
view conveyed by these leaders, after
| they had been with the president, was
| Iat l.. 4 la,
| plies from Spain in time to present the
| entire subject to congress by next Mon
day.
Prayer That Is Probably Hopeless.
Speaking to the committee of house
4 Republicans which waited an hour after
| adjournment of the house. he said: Il
pray God that We may be able to keei
peace" The impression left with the
| delegation. however, was that he did
not expect peaceable adjustment. IL
strictest confidence Mckinley outlined
the course of communicate between
| Washington and Madrid. He stated
that all now depended on dispatches t
be communicated and received probably
| within forty-eight hours. The re-
| Spouse of Spain to a message cabled il
by this government was expected hour
| ly, and surely would be received within
twcnty-four hours. After it arrived i
would be necessary for this country t
| serd another cable note as a reply q
Madrid. All this might be accomplished
in less than forty-eight hours. II,
therefore intimated that it would b,
| gratifying if congress deferred tai-ins
action until next week.
Bernabe Telegraphs to Madrid.
Madrid, April LII Liberal (MOGerat
Republican, says dispatch from Seno
Polo y Bernabe, the Spanish minister a
| Washington. was read Wednesday a
the cabinet council giving his impress
sion of the feeling in America, which h
declares is in no way favorable toSpair
He points out that the Maine report wa
only referred to the foreign relation
committee with great difficulty. as Is
Representatives voted for its immediat
appreciation without waiting for tn
Spanish report This proposal" say
Senior Polo. was rejected, but the jim
goes appeared to be greatly annoyed.
CONGRESS TO WAIT TILL MONDAY.