The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-09

"oSHiuetosi, April o.-dOOQ frluay
passed in Washington with not ripple
on the surface. either at the white
house or the capitol. to show that the
United States is on the brink of war.
Both houses of congress had adjourned
until Monday, and at the executive
mansion there was no rush of eager
and excited public men, but Sunday
quiet atmosphere. Only at the war and
navy departments were there signs OF
an impending conflict in the rush of i'm
mediate orders to host of naval off,
GERS to report at once for duty in ves-
sells to which they were assigned, anc
in conferences among bureau chiefs on
details Of war preparations. AS yet
the reso1ve was YYrner than ever that
force of arms would move on Havana
1t was the very recognition of the fixity
of this purpose that caused the day to
be in marked contrast to the excitement
of all its predecessors of late. There was
still some discussion of Cuban affairs,
but ii only served to emphasize the
fact that one forward step of immense
Importance had been taken, for the dis
cussion was of an advanced stage and
concerned not Intervention and free
dom of Cuba from Spain's dominion
but the obligations and duties that
might be imposed upon the United
States after we had expelled Spain
from the island.
As to Course to he Adopted.
This discussion revolved around two
propositions, namely, intervention with
out recognition of the Cuban insurgents
and Intervention with concurrent rec
npnitinn of ho indnnandanna af
present insurgent government in Cuba.
Some public men hovered between these
two propositions and favored the COM
promise. There was no definite lead
by which 1t could be stated with any
thing like authoritativeness which
course would be adopted. but the un-
settled state of public opinion on the
matter indicated that events of the
next few days, the strength of the argu-
ments of the forthcoming presidential
message. or a distinct utterance from
our consul general to Cuba might be
strong enough to incline the balance to
either course.
Nothing New In the Cabinet.
The cabinet held its usual Friday ses-
sion. but its meeting brought no change
in the Spanish situation. Indeed. IT
was chiefly significant in establishing
that no change had occurred, that none
of action on the part of the United
States government was already made
up. The presidents message remains
unaltered. indeed, this being the last
cabinet day before the message will go
to congress. alterations are unlikely be-
tween now and Monday. barring alto
gether unexpected developments from
Madrid. After the meeting cabinet Off
GERS stated that the message would be
sent to congress on Monday. no change
in that respect having been considered
and all causes for delay having been
removed. The calmness Of the cabinet
meeting. which was one of the most
ureventful held in recent days. was
another evidence of the feeling enter
tanned by the administration that the
case is made up and that nothing now
remains to be done but to present the
subject to congress and await the final
outcome there.
Preparing for Eventualities.
The feeling that an end had come to
diplomatic talk and that action alone
remained was shared in all quarters
including the foreign embassies and
legations. where the ambassadors and
ministers expressed the feeling that all
had been done in Washington that
could or would be done in the cause OF
peace. What is going on at Madrid
gives slight hopes of such concessions
there as will alter the present situation.
There are no negotiations. in the sense
OF exchanges on pending propositions
Both parties apparently have said their
last word concerning their respective
propositions. Certainly this is true as
to the United States and there were
no evidences to-day that the Spanish
government would recede. 1t is even
doubtful whether a concession of an
armistice by Spain would be SUFFICIENT
at this late moment to turn the situa-
tion into peaceful channels. Prepara-
tons for all eventualties are being hur- |
ried to completion.
Consuis to Go Their Ways
General Lee will leave Havana to- |
probably on the small naval |
vessel Fern. now in Havana harbor,
although il was said at the state de- |
partment that he might take one of |
tie Plant line steamers. AT that time |