The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
NO MORE NEGOTIATIONS.
Issue Between Spain and This COun-
try Has been Made.

try Has Been Made.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-The issue
between the United States and Spain
remains unchanged No communications
having any bearing on the situation
have passed between this government and
Spain since last Thursday night, when Min
lister Woodford transmitted the reply of the
Sagasta Ministry to the Presidents propo-
sitions of two weeks ago. Both govern
ments appear to accept this issue as made
up, and are shaping their course according
ly. This being the case, the view is uni
versally entertained, even by representative
men of the administration, that Congress
on receipt of the Presidents message early
next week will take action which, it is al
most universally expected, must result in
severance of the relations of the two coun-
tries. This was in part foreshadowed by
the action of the Senate committee on for
eign relations to-day in agreeing to reso-
luton favorable to independence of Cuba
and in favor of armed intervention if neces-
sary to secure independence.
With the crisis SO near at hand, it is be-
lieved that if any European Intervention or
mediation is to come it will be in the next
few days. 1t was said, however, at the
State Department late this afternoon that
been officially transmitted to this govern
ment. 1t was the general understanding
that friendly overtures of this nature were
looked for at almost any time from France
or Austria, and it was reported during the
day that the presence in Washington of
Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland
was in connection with mediation from
from Rome, but it was stated on high au-
thority at the State Department that no
overture of this character had taken off,
cial form, nor was the State Department
advised that any such steps were in con-
temptation.
IT is the understanding in official circles,
based on information, that the recognition
of Cuban independence would not in itself
be regarded by Spain as a casus belli. But
at the same time there is little doubt that
such recognition of Cuban independence
would be followed by the withdrawal of
the Spanish minister, Senior Polo Bernabe
and his entire suite from Washington and
the termination of SPANS diplomatic repre-
sentation at Washington. Such withdrawal
is one of the last steps preceding actual re-
course to war. 1t is probable, however,
that the withdrawal of the Spanish minister,
following the recognition of independence.
would not be so much an indication of war
as it would be an emphatic protest by the
Spanish government against the recogni-
ton Of the independence of a colony over
which she claims to exercise complete SOW
ereignity Although this recognition of in
dependence is not considered a casus beIli
by which Spain could declare war, yet it
is viewed in diplomatic quarters as a step
which would have consequences inevitably
Terminating in war, For that reason it is
eo;1 rho yaooopition of he ipdaror.
dence of Cuba is likely to be no less grave
than intervention.
The Spanish minister continues to pre-
serve his outward calm, although he feels
that the relations are extremely strained
and that his stay in Washington may not
be long continued. To some of mis- diplo-
matte associates who called to-day he said
that his conscience was perfectly clear, as
he thought that Spain's cause was a just
one and for this reason he felt no agitation
His position is 81 trying one, however as the
Spanish legation has been subjected to a
number of petty indignities within recent
days. These are of such a petty character
that they have not been called to the at
tention of the government officials, al
though police officers were detailed to see
that the offenses were not continued and
that no acts of vandalism or personal in
dignity were committed.
The State Department to-day received the
full report of the Spanish commission
which investigated the destruction of the
battle ship Maine This document has been
expected for some days. but it was not
until to-day that it reached Washington by
a special messenger from Havana. 1t
proved to be a most bulky and voluminous
document, OF far greater length than the
report of the American court of inquiry.
The text as delivered to the State Depart
ment is in Spanish, and it will take some
time for the elaborate document to be
translated. 1t covers at least $50 closely
written pages of official paper double the
size Of fooIscap. The Associated Press early
in the week gave a complete and official
synopsis Of this Spanish report, the essen
tias features of which were that the explo-