The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-01
"ANXlOUSLY WAITING.
SPANS Reply to MrkinIey's Pro-.
posals Not IN Hand.
IAN uNDEECuRRFNT or UNCERTAINTY.
Feared that Saaasta Nill Not Ar.
ccJc to Independence.
ATTITUDE OF OTHER POWERS.
European Mediation Nay Follow Any
War Crisis.
THE PARTY LINES ARE S0LlDlflrD.
Republicans Favor Delay While the
Democrats Desire 10 Force Action.
The West India Purchase.
THE PARTY LINES ARE soLlDlflrD.

Washington, March sl,--This has been a
| day Of anxious waiting for spain's reply t
the demands of the United States contem-
plating the termination of war in Cuba and
| the independence OF the island, On chat
| reply 1t was universally believed the issue
| between peace or war would be decided I'm l.
| less some new and unexpected conditions
| arose to postpone the issue further But
| delay would meet the opposition OF con-
| gross. The gravity of the situation was
| fel, in all official quarters 1t was 30,
day OF rapid development as when war
preparations were following in rapid sue
cession, but the tension was even greater
from the uncertainty that prevailed and the
feeling that Spain would not accede to the
complete independence of Cuba.
The White House continued to be thronged
with congressional leaders anxious to learn
iioii thc p!cslucht Wildl MS course WIS 10
be. The general view conveyed by these
leaders after seeing the president WAS that
he expected 10 have definite replies from
Spain in time to present the entire matter
to congress by next Monday.
The state department was the center Of
interest throughout the day. as it was ex :
pected that Minister Woodford's reply was
to be received The officials shared in the
general anxiety, but throughout the bust
ness hours of the day no word was Received
from the United States minister secrc-
tary Sherman left tho department at 5
o'clock, saying no reply had come UP 10
that time.
At o'clock Judge Day, the assistant
secretary, started for the White House in
company with Secretary Long.
lie stated in answer 10 an inquiry that
no response had been received from Madrid.
lie added that he had hoped TO receive the
reply this evening, but he began to fear
that there might be some delay until to-
morrow.
The attitude of the European powers con-
tinued to be seriously discussed in official
quarters, as 1t was felt that an offer o:
European mediation was almost certain TO
follow war crlsis. No distinct offer has
been submitted up to the present moment.
In this connection the cable report from
Berlin that Germany was mcnacing Spain
on an old claim and was about to make a
naval demonstration In Cuba attracted
much attention.
The German ambassador DR.. Won Holle-
bcg said he had received 40 information
as to this rumored move nor was he ac-
quainted with the Capnabara case referred
10 in the dispatch. The Spanish minister is
also unacquainted with this case and does
not credit the report that Germany has
taken steps OF decisive character. The
Spanish ambassador at Berlin is the father
in Law of the Spanish minister here and the
latter would be quite likely to know if
Germany had made move involving the
dispatch OF warship to Cuba for punitive
purposes II was the general feeling that
IL Germany had taken any such action 1t
would have a more decided Influence en- the
Spanish American situation and be So
riously preiudicial TO Spain. For this rea-
son it was the opinion OF the diplomats
that Germany would not choose such d
junetpre as the present in order to make
emergency demands In claim against
Spain.
Said prominent diplomat today: Spain
seems to be under the impress ion that hsr
national honor forbids her from surTen-
derlng any part of her colonial domain IN
der The pressure OF the United atstes. There
are however. presidents showing that Eu-
ropean powers have preserved their dignity
while making similar concessions. II may
be remembered that the Ionian islands. a
Fart OF the Turkish empire We're after
ward oeded 10 Greece by Great Britain ana
that yenetia was not surrendered by Au-
slria directly TO Italy. but to France, who
transferred to the government Of Victor
Emanuel"
Ccngrefs will wait Until Monday before
any action is taken. The president has
aeked until that time and assurances have
been gi-en by those In charge Of affa'rS
that there will be nothing done until Mon
DAY.
Poth committees OF corersss dealing VITA
foreign affairs were Ia session to-day Taa
senate committee continued lis examiDa-
lion Of the report Oh the Aaine disaster
and the house by paity vote refused ~
tuke any action on Cuba until Monday.
The senate committee agreed 20 and
sersscr r.adce reported bill srprcpriatsnr