New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-09
CALM DAY AT WHITE HOUSE.
FEW CALLERS AND NO SENSATIONAL
DEVELOPMENTS.

LEFT TO HIS OWN DISCRETION-THE REGU-
LAR CABINET NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
DRIVES WITH HOBART.
Washington, April Spending the elimination
OF the diplomatic developments. now rapidly ap-
preaching a head. the Administration is avoid
Ing all possible outward evidence OF the crisis
The Cuban message will be placed before Con-
gress next Monday. unless some radical and un-
expected event should change the firmly fixed
Intention Of the President Meantime the de-
parture Of the American citizens from Cuba will
continue. and General Woodford will arrange
his affairs so as to leave Madrid at moments
notice.
At the White House. except for frequent con-
ferences. there Is no sign Of a crisis and on the
day fixed for the transmission to Congress OF
message which is expected to lead to war prob
ably eight thousand or ten thousand American
youth will be enjoying themselves on the
twenty-acre plot Of ground surrounding the Ex-
ecutive Mansion. Despite the grave situation
at this time. all arrangements are going ahead
for the Easter egg-rolling on the White House
grounds. with the Marine Band as an adjunct
to the festivities.
The President shows somewhat the effect OF
the great strain on him, but on the whole bears
o'clock. and to-day he was up bright and early
and enjoyed hearty breakfast. Mrs. Mckinley
refrained from her usual drive. but sent out her
party Of about ten young women guests on
sightseeing tour.
There a notable absence Of visitors to
confer with the President in the early hours Of
the day. Assistant Secretary Day did not make
his appearance until comparatively late. Sena-
tor Lodge. OF Massachusetts, a member of the
Foreign Relations Committee, and Representa-
tives Fenton, OF Ohio. and Brucker. OF Mich
igan. formed the forenoon contingent OF Con-
gressonal arrivals to see the President. 1t was
the regular Cabinet day, and the knowledge of
this fact helped TO keep away the crowd and
make the Quetest forenoon at the Executive
Mansion for many days.
The members OF the Cabinet even were little
slow IN assembling. Postmaster-General Gary
was the first to come. and Secretary Bliss fol-
lowed. the others arriving at brief intervals, un-
til all had gathered about the long table In the
Cabinet room. Before the meeting Cabinet
members stated that there had been no material
development in the situation and that the work
OF preparation was steadily going ahead.
The entire day passed with the same unusual
absence OF callers that had marked the fore
noon. Assistant Secretary Day was with the
President for over an hour in the afternoon
and when he departed he said there had been
nothing new not even In the way OF communi-
cations from Madrid and Havana. Minister
woodford had not communicated with the Gov
eminent to-day. and no instructions as TO when
he should leave Madrid had been Issued.
A member OF the Cabinet was asked II II was
contemplated that General Woodford should
leave his post at the same time that General
Lee left Havana. The answer was that TN
would be a violent and wrong presumption ~
make. and that the speaker understood the
question OF leaving Spain had been vested in the
discretion OF the Minister.
The President. after his general discussion OF
the situation with Judge Day. was closeted with
Senator Spooner. Of Wisconsin. About o'clock
he went for drive with Vice-President Hobart
I'm the latter's brougham.