Evening star., 1898-04-01
Conferences With the Leaders Of Both
Houses.
'PAIk'S REPLY FREELY DISCUSSED
There May Be Twenty-Four-Hour
Ultimatum.
WAITING FOR THE CABINET

President Mckinley engaged in a number
| of important conferences prior to the
assembling of the cabinet. He breakfasted
! early and was in his Office by 9:3O o'clock,
| a half hour before he usually goes there.
After a few minutes with Judge Day,
at the conclusion of which the latter an
nounced that a statement would be issued
during the day, the President began a
conference with Senator Davis, chairman
of the Senate foreign relations committee.
This lasted half an hour and was of the
deepest gravity. Other members of the
Senate foreign relations committee to hold
lengthy conferences with the President
were Senators Lodge and Gray.
Representatives Dingley, Grosvenor and
Adams were House leaders who held short
conferences with the President.
A Twenty-FOur-Hour UItimatum.
President Mckinley has been strongly
advised that the only course now open is
to send to Spcin a Neutrality-suspicious. ulti-
r atum. He has also been advised that
this course is more likely to bring success
and peace than to produce wer. The Span
fsh character. he has been told, is such
that delay makes them impudent and disre-
spectful.
An immediate demand, 1t has been put
before him, will almost surely result in the
American propositions being granted at
once. If these propositions are not granted
by this process they will never be granted
by dilatory and diplomatic tactics.
A member of the cabinet of President
Harrison says that during the Chilean in
cident, the subject of how to deal with
Chile was gravely discussed. President
Harrison determined upon an ultimatum
OF the strongest character, and by this
method he quickly settled affairs.
Arrival of Spain's Reply.
Spain's response to the demands of Pres
ident Mckinley began to reach the White
House last night at 1890 o'clock. 1t was
received on special wire. The response
had been anxiously awaited all the after
room. In expectation of it's arrival Assist
ant Secretary A6ee of the State Depart
ment was On hand with the State Depart
ment cipher for The purpose OF transla.ing
the message.
While the words were being clicked to
the operator, there were assembled with
President Mckinley a distinguished party
of friends and advisers. They were Vice
President Hobart, Secretaries Alger and
Bliss. Assistant Secretary Day, Senators
Allison, Hanna and Spooner. Most of the
members of the party remained with the
President until after midnight, but the
President did Lot leave his office to retire
until after 1 o'clock this morning
Nothing was given out last night as to
the contents of the response. There was,
however, a general understanding that the
response. as sent by General Woodford,
was unsatisfactory to the President and
TO his friends. That was all that could be
gathered, but 1t was sufficient to signify to
the people of the country that the crisis
had been reached. Spain had not an
swered in manly or straightforward man.
ner. She had sent an answer to a part Of
PRESIDENT McKinley's demands and left the
others open for further negotiations. some
thing which this country will not permit.