Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-04-06

uDOut W Dt Itclaltu. w ME thcN ionh
upon the situation as grave, the general
sentiment among them is that the matter
has not yet progressed beyond the range
OF diplomacy and pacific solution. For
that reason there was a strong inclina-
tion shown today TO wait until the pres
ident's message was sent TO congress, the
feeling being that the real issue could not
he determined until the message had been
submitted.
At the outset Spain was most earnest
for mediation, and to this end addressed
a note to the powers about 10 days ago.
Now, however, as the prospects for medi
alton appears To be growing, the Spanish
authorities seem to he less inclined to.
ward this course This may be due to
the fact that Spain had looked on media
ton "a an indirect form of intervention of
the European powers in favor OF one OF
their own number. The Spanish note
developed, however, that the powers were
not ready for any such radical step.
France made the first declaration,
through Premier Hapotaux, in the
French chamber. that France would
treat both parties alike as friends. This
was an unexpected reverse for Spain. as
she had felt that French ownership OF
Martinique, Guadaloupe and other islands
would incline her to sympathy with
Spain in defending her sovereignty over
Cuba.
II was stated by one Of the ambassa
dors today that any move in the form of
mediation would first assume form by an
exchange of notes among the European
powers, which could be done speedily by
telegraph in case of war crisis seeming
~ hand. In such event the general I'M.
derstanding among the diplomats here is
that Great Britain France, Germany and
Austria would be consulted, as their COM
mercia. interests would be seriously Grip
pied by war between the United States
and Spain. While Russia and Italy also
might be consulted owing to their inhu-
encc in European affairs, yet their imme-
date interest in the Spanish American
conflict would be far less than that of
the other countries mentioned.
IL is probable that negotiations will be
opened by this government with Denmark
TO allJw cable messages to come over the
French line from the Danish island of st.
Thomas to the United States. With the
l.ecward islands, of which st. Thomas is
center, as the probable center Of any
naval operations which may result from
the present crisis, il is recognized as Of
vast Importance to secure facilities not
controlled by Spain.
Bernabe's Busy Day.
Senor Bernabe, the Spanish minister.
and his staff had busy Sunday, al
though il did not bring any developments
changing the situation. His last official
exchange with the authorities was IN last
Friday, after Spain's answer had been
received, since which time negotiations
have been at halt This. however, has
not lessened the Spanish minister's ac-
tivity in keeping his government fully
apprised as TO the general aspect of af
firs in this country. The elaborate man.
ner in which this cable intelligence has
gone to the authorities st Madrid Is prob
ably without a parallel. 1t is understood
that when the situation began to assume
its most serious aspect a single cable dis
patch sent by the minister to the foreign
Office cost $1,000. Another dispatch cost
500 and another 500. In this way
Madrid authorities are kept in close
touch with the condition Of affairs, not
only as II relates to official negotiations,
but more Darticularly 10 those circum.