The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
IntimatiOn that Annexation OF Cuba
Would Please Spain Better than In
dependence of the Island.
CHRLlSTS CLOSELY WATCHED
LITTLE DANGER OF AN OUTBREAK
TILL PEACE rs CONCLUDED.
Then, If the Terms Do Not Please the
People, an Attempt May Be Made
to Overthrow the Monarchy.

spondent Of the Times says: peace pros
poets have greatly improved during the last
forty-eight hours. The diplomatic explora-
ton of Duke Almodovar de Rio, the foreign
minister, has been more practical than was
supposed and it is now tolerably certain
that the governments efforts are entering
a new phase, which may gradually lead to
tangible results. The precise nature of the
change is a secret, but there is little doubt
that it tends to direct negotiations between
Spain and the United States, there being no
inclination to seek the mediation of any
neutral power. The moment has arrived
when America, having reached the parting
of the ways. must choose between war with
specific object and an indefinable war of
conquest.
1.-The present pause in hostilities is held
to prove that the United States is reluctant
to plunge into wider sphere of action, and
it may be confidently predicted that, if di-
rect negotiations are opened without delay
both countries will find their views on the
main point-the future of Cuba-far from
irreconcable.
'"rhe growing dissensions between the
Cuban insurgents and the American author
tiles are noted here with great satsfac-
tion, and on all sides 1 hear it said: IF we
should be annexed by America, because the
traitors would thereby be punished and the
enormous Spanish interests in the island
would be protected
1.-THE French embassy at Washington
seems the most likely channel for opening
negotiations; and the seni-official statement
that America intends to retain Porto Rico
is regarded here as a hint to Spain to
hurry up.
There is still much talk about Carlist
intrigues and preparations, but the govern
ment, though vigilant and ready to act en-
ergetically if necessary, seems to think that
at present there is no serious danger of un-
toward developments. The danger of Re-
publican movements is still less. Senior
Emilio Castelar, has just rendered a service
to the cause of order by publishing long
letter in which he impresses upon all good
Spaniards the necessity of sinking party diff
ferences and remaining firmly united at the
present critical moment. Patriotism. like
the church., says Senior CASTELAR,, imposes
unity on u.s. and if unity does not exist let
us be silent upon the subject The project
of presenting him with address of con-
f1dence, signed by 100000 of his admiring
fellow-citizens, has been indefinitely post
poned."
News, telegraphing Sunday, says: "The eff
forts of the government towards peace are
meeting with almost insuperable difficulties.
Ministerialists say that the chief obstacle
is President McKinley's impressionable
character which is more influenced, they
affect to believe, by his personal friends
and the jingoes in Congress than by diplo-
matic counsels. The President sometimes
appears inclined, they say, to negotiate for
peace on reasonable terms; but at others he
seems determined upon war of conquest,
with view of convincing Europe that the
United States is great military power
which must be reckoned with "
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Mail says 'The government is closely
watching the Carlists throughout the coun-
try. CarIist clubs have been requested to
furnish complete lists of members, with ad-
dresses, and many will probably close rather
than comply / have reason to know that
when the times comes the outbreak will be
general, but Don Carlos will not give the
signal until peace is concluded, or until 1t is
known that the peace conditions will be
such as to provoke the people to indigna-
ton. Marquis De Cerralbo, the representa-
tive OF Don Carlos here. has gone to Brus-
sells to confer with his chief
No news has been received in London as
to any special disorders in Spain. A dis
patch from Madrid says that the Cabinet
yesterday Sunday discussed the question
of censorship and decided to continue to en-
force the regulations. The leading papers
threaten to cease publication unless the
censorship is removed, but it Is doubtful
that they will carry the threat into exc
cution. The press is preparing all classes
for the loss of Cuba and Porto Rico and
for developments at Manila. Ell Impartial,
rejecting a widespread opinion, advocates
direct negotiations for peace with the United
States and admits that American annexa-
ton of Cuba is preferable to Cuban inde-
pendence if Spain must lose the colony
"since the lives and financial interests of
Spaniards would be much safer under
America. Ell Imparcial and FL Heraldo
describe the military precautions taken al
Madrid against any possible disturbance
Great distress continues among the work.
ing classes at Barcelona and Malaga, and
it is said that not a vessel is to be seen
either at Cadiz or Barcelona.
The Gibraltar correspondent of the Daily
News, telegraphing Sunday, says: Accord
ing to ministerial admission peace is further
off than it was last week The great diff
Guilty is the loss of the Cuban cable Senior
Gamazo, the minister of public instruction
and public works, is much disappointed and
threatens to resign.
"The administrative haste and hustle in
Spain about port defenses are prodigious
but who can think that all this means busi-
ness after what has happened The heavy
French guns supplied from the saint