The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-31

was given TO these members that by
Friday night at the latest something
definite could be expected.
TIL greatest secrecy prevails In many
bureaus OF the war and navy depart
ments in regard 10 the various projects
OF defense and naval movements now
going on. Captain Crowinshield OF the
bureau of navigation has issued the fol-
lowing order: Officers. clerks and all
employees of the bureau are forbidden TO
make public any information concerning
the movements Of ships orders TO officers
or other official business of the bureau
except they have personal and explicit
permission from me-"
The senate committee on foreign re-
lations has agreed to postpone the com
pletion OF the committees work on the
Cuban situation for few days In order
TO afford time to the president TO con-
tinue his diplomatic negotiations with
the Spanish authorities. This conces-
sion was the result OF request by the
president. and II was granted without
any murmur OF dissent. Previous to
this action the president had been very
frankly informed that neither the COM
mittee nor the senate would be disposed
TO acquiesce In any agreement for an
armistice. This opposition is under
stood TO have been made clear on behalf
OF the joint Republican and Democratic
steering committees OF the senate. and ii
is understood to have been met with tte
response that this government would not
press the matter.
The president freely admitted TO visit
In Ia xxfffN =,
Spain were rapidly approaching crisis,
and felt CITE confident a conclusion
would be reached by Friday night at the
latest. lie asked that In view OF this
fact no action be taken by either house
until after that time. or until the present
negotiations could be brought to a close.
The representations were of character
TO satisfy the committee.
1t was stated in diplomatic quarter
that the Spanish government within the
last 10 days had addressed a note TO the
great powers OF Europe. fully setting
forth the grave aspect OF the contro-
versy with the United States and at
least infercntially suggesting that the
time was now opportune for European
influences TO be exerted 1t is said that
Hanotaux In the French chamber last
Saturday, and has been the cause OF the
activity at European capitals within the
last few days in connection with Span.
ish-American affairs. Up to the present
time, however, no actual step toward
mediation or intervention has been taken
by any OF the great powers. although
there is little doubt that France stands
ready to take the initiative IL there is
the slightest evidence that the United
States government will view such a
move with favor. The French ambas-
sador at Washington, Mr. Cambof. has
received no instructions directing him
to tender the good offices OF France.
Nevertheless. taking the cue from the
remarks of Premier Hanotaux he has
called on Judge Day and has said that
IL this government at any time feels
that the French government can aid In
averting the present crisis and main
tanning peace, he has no doubt that
France will readily undertake to exert
such offices as will be acceptable to both
powers. 1t is probable that suggestions
have not taken more formal shape
owing to the delicate character of such
overtures. A tender OF good offices is
one of the last resorts of diplomacy,
when all other means of averting war
seem TO be at an end. There Is addi-
tional difficulty from the fact that when
two nations are involved in a crisis ex-
ternal influence may be presented as an
intrusion. There is reason to believe
shat no steps will be taken by France
unless II Is clearly shown in advance
that the United States desires the
friendly offices of other nations.
The Spanish government has earnest
ly hoped within the last week that some
OF the European powers. and more likely
Austria and France, would take the
initiative without waiting to consult
the desires OF this government. This
hope has proved vain, however, and IL Is
said on high authority that recent ne
gotiations in Europe have disclosed
positively that while the sympathy OF
some OF the continental powers was with
Spain. not one OF them stood ready to
espouse her cause by mediation or by
arms. Most had been expected of Aus
trla owing to the dynastic relations be-
tween Austria and Spain. the queen
regent OF Spain being an Austrian prin-
cess and cousin OF the emperor OF
Austria. Up to the present time, how
ever Austria has not felt ready to take
the initiative alone. The reports from
Vienna. that the Austrian minister of
foreign affairs had instructed the Aus
trian representative i'm Washington TO
cooperate In the steps to be taken by
France, are not borne out by actual de-
velopments. The Austrian minister has
not been ct the state department during
the present week. nor have suggestions
in this line been received from him. II
is coincidence that the French am
bassador, the Austrian minister and the
Spanish minister are more closely as
sociated together than any other dipio-
mats In the corps.
matter that has caused great deal
OF excitement Is the departure OF n Span
ish fleet OF three vessels. In view Of the
many peace negotiations that hays been
made. by Spain such action II regarded
as anything put a friendly move. The
I4l I..I