The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-07
UNITED STATES AND SPAIN
REASONS GIVEN FOR DELAYING PRES. M,KLNLEY'S MESSAGE.

PRES. M'KLNLEY'S MESSAGE. Tho First is That Consul General Lee De- sires M ore Time to Get Americans Out of Cuba, and the Second That Matters Have Taken a Peacefui Turn at NIadrid-Hard Telling Which Is the Real Reason-In- formation is Not Definite and the Ad- rninistration Officials Express No Wish Never Go to Congress-The Hurried Sum- mons to the White House-Attitude of the European Powers.
 Washington, April 6.-Swift as cannon's flash was the change in the Cuban situation to-day. The galleries of congress were crowded with people and senators and representatives Were eagerly awaiting the message of the president to the congress of the Amer1- can people when with excitement at the very highest pitch, the word quick ly passed that there would be no mes sage to-day. Its suddenness stunned the public, which heard the news in distorted forms, and amazed veteran members of congress. Ultimately, it became known that not only would there be no message to-day, but no message this week, and that it was at least a possibility the message written and approved might never go to con- gress at all.
 Reasons for Delay.
 The first reason for the delay was that the administration received ad- vices from General Lee at Havana, in- dicating that all Americans could not be got off the island to-day and would be in grave peril if the message pre- ceded their departure. The second req son, and perhaps equally potent with the other, slowly drifted into public impression chiefly through the medium of published Associated Press dis patches from Madrid, for extreme retf- cence was maintained on the subject by those who knew the facts and even cabinet officers were unadvised on the subject. This important news was that the Spanish government, after what pldlIlly udd UGGu very CACIllllS5 tilItES in inner Spanish circles at Madrid, had decided to reopen the case closed so far as this government was concerned, by the refusal of Spain to make satis factory response to the representations made by the United States last week and in order to avert impending War, had decided to make concessions here tofore refused. What will be the final outcome it is too early to say, but the aspect of affairs certainly is consider ably more pacific and sufficient to re- new the hope of the president in a solu- ton of the Cuban question satisfactory to the American government and achieved without bloodshed.
 Details to Work Out.
 The details remain to be worked out, but it is expected that between now and Monday a clearer light will be thrown on the future by the action at Madrid, at which one important feat ure is at least the declaration of, an armistice by the queen regent of Spain. This armistice by the queen, it is said, will lead to ultimate independence of Cuba from Spanish rule, but by what intermediate steps perhaps even the governing powers do no at this time know. Much, it is supposed, will de- pend upon the Cuban insurgents and the peoples of the two countries of the United States and Spain.
 Powers of Europe.
 The powers of Europe, material and moral are still actively at work seek ing by the wisest and most polite course necessary, in view of the cir ar, To oo,1te oft tLa two great nations involved, to bring peace out of the gathering warclouds. All the capitals of Europe have been in communication to this end-a fact ev- idenced by the assemblage at the Brit ish embassy in this city yesterday of the representatives of the six great powers of Europe, who then and there were made acquainted with what had been done abroad and with the desire of those who accredited them to Wash ington that they should work in accord here, this concert, however, in the United States not to go beyond a mild tender of good offices to secure peace and delay definite declaration of war, if hostilities finally became inevitable. Some of the representatives assembled at Sir Julian Pauncefote's may have wished to offer mediation, but if so were warned against it by others in the conference who understood more clearly that such procedure would be resented and work to hostile and not to peaceful ends.
 Improved Condition.
 The improved condition of affairs was reflected throughout all public quarters late in the day. It was man. ifested at the White house among off, cials and at the embassies and lega- tions, including the Spanish legation. At the latter establishment, Senor Polo Bernabe said that while he could not disclose any of the information reach ing him in an official capacity, yet he felt that strain of 8. few hours ago was materially relieved and that the prospects for peace looked much brighter. He in no way confirmed nor would he even discuss views entertain ed in other high official quarters that Spain was slowly but surely yielding and confined his utterances to the gen. eral statement that conditions were improving.
 Hurried Summons to White House.
 The uncertainty following great