The Red Cloud chief., 1898-04-15
WASHINGTON T
WASHINGTON, April II,

Now that the uncertainty is over
there is less excitement in Washington
than there has been at any time since
the news of the blowing up Of the
Maine was received. II was not the
probability of wal that caused the ex-
element, but the fear that in some
way trickery Spanish diplomacy would
get the best OF us without giving us an
opportunity TO fight. That fear existed
more or less up to the moment that
the die was cast by the presidents
message asking congress to provide for
immcliate forcible intervention to
drive the Spanish flag out of Cuba.
Although the official announcement of
an armistice inCuba declared by Spain
IS generally believed to be merely an.
other trick, it was feared that it might
cause the president to postpone his
message or to change his mind about
sending it in. Now those fears are all
past. Gen. Lee and all the Americans
who desired to leave are safely out OF
Cuba, and the message is before con-
gress. Consequently there is a feeling
OF cOntcntment because il is known
that long deferred justice Is about to
be meted out to Spain by the United
States. and vexatious delays are owe
Congress is practically a unit, although
there are u few individuals who would
prefer proceeding a little different, and
by the middle Of the week the authority
will be placed in the pre- sident's hands
to use the United States army and
navy to drive the Spanish out of Cuba,
and before the week closes Cuba is
likely To be surrounded by the most
formidable fleet of warships this coun.
try has ever assembled under one
commander, and the steps will have
been taken that will send the ncces.
sary troops To he landed ON Cuban soil
To cooperate with our ships. The
plans are all made, the ships have up
steam and only await the final order To
start. The only thing that can upset
our program now i the showing of the
white feather 10y Spain, but those who
are thoroughly %couversant with the
Spanish character rs well as with eX
istlng political conditions in Span
think that a big blum at making an ag.
gressive wal upon the United States
will be made and kept up until there is
danger not only of Spain losing Cuba
bnt her other colonies and her entire
navy. Then she will, through the Eu.
ropean powers sue for peace. Mean.
while, it is known that the Spanish
program is not to openly fight our
navy, but to try to use its fastest cruis.
ers aud torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destroyers to cripple our com.
merce and sea coast towns and endeav.
or to keep out of the way Of our heavy
fighting ships. They will find, how.
ever, that this will be a very dangerous
sort of game to engage in.
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What u world OF contrasts it isY
While congress is listening to a mes.
sage from tho president that means
war, thousards of happy children are
gathered upon the grounds at the rear
of the white house engaged in the
sport-peculiar to Washington-ofroll-
ing Easter eggs, to the music of the en-.
tire Marine band, which plays ut the
express order of the president TO add
to the enjoyment of the little ones.
There can be little doubt that the
president, as he looks out over these
joyous children finds far more enjoy.
ment in..contcmplating their play, than
he does in looking forward to the war.
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Some idea of the amount of work
that is now being done at the Washing.