The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-01
THEIR NATURE NOT DISCLOSED.

~
WASHINGTON, March sl.-Thls has
been day Of anxious waiting for SPANS
reply TO the demands OF the United States
contemplating the termination OF the war
IN Cuba and the independence of the
island. On that reply. it was universally
believed, the issue between peace or war
would be decided unless something new
and unexpected arose to postpone the
matter further.
But delay would meet the opposition Of
Congress. The gravity of the situation
was felt in all official quarters. 1t was
not a day Of rapid development as when
war preparations were following in rapid
succession, but the tension was even
greater from the uncertainty that pre-
vailed and the feeling that Spain would
not concede the complete independence
of Cuba.
THRONGS AT WHITE HOUSE.
The White House continued to be throng-
ed with congressional leaders anxious to
learn from the President what his course
was 10 be-
The general view conveyed by these lead
ers after they had been with the Presi-
dent was that he expected 10 have def
mite replies from Spain in time TO pre-
sent the entire subject to Congress by
next Monday.
The State Department was the centre
OF interest throughout the day. as it was
there that Mr. Woodford's dispatch an
nounciEg Spain's attitude was TO be re-
ceiyed. Al o'clock Judge Day, the As
sistant Secretary. started for the White
House in company with Secretary Long.
lie stated in response to an inquiry that
no reply had been received from Madrid
lie added that ne hoped to receive the re-
ply this evening, but he began to fear
that there might be some delay until to-
morrow.
MEDIATION.
The attitude of European powers con-
tinued TO be seriously discussed In official
quarters as II was felt an offer of Euro
pean mediation was almost certain to fol-
low war crisis. No distinct offer had
been submitted up 10 the present moment
In this connection the cable report from
Berlin that Germany was menancing
Spain on an old claim, and was about to
make a naval demonstration IN Cuba, at
tracted much attention. The German
Ambassador, Dr. Won Hollemen. said that
he had received no information as TO this
reported movement, nor was he acquaint-
ed with the Cannambra incident referred
20. The Spanish minister Is also unac-
quainted with the Cannambra case and
does not credit the report that Germany
has taken steps Of decisive character.
II was the general feeling that II Ger
many had taken any such action II would
ia
gpanish-American situation and one seri-
ousiy prejudicial TO Spain. For this rea-
son Il was the opialon OF diplomats that
Germany would not choose such juno
ture as the present IN order 10 make
emergency demands in claim ageipst
spain.
PREcEDENTS.
Said a prominent diplomat to-day:
Spain seems TO be under the impression
that her national honor forbids her from
surrendering part % her colonial domain
under the pressure OF the United states.
There are. however. precedents showing
that European powers have preserved
their dignity while making similar con
cessioua. il may be remembered that the
Ioriau Islands. a part OF the Turkish En-
,lre were Afterwards eeded 10 Greece by
Great Britain and that the Venetia was
rot surrendered BY Austria directly 10
Ii4iS, but 10 France who transferred II
70 TIE government Of Victor Emanuel.
Congress will wait until Monday before
any action Is taken The President has
asked delay until that time ana assuF-
ances have been given by those In charge
OF affairs that there will be nothing done
until then.
NAVAL MILITIA
The most important action taken by the
Navy Department to-day WAS the deter
rnsnatinn 20 have the naval militia OF the
several states prepared Tor immediate
service should this be found necessary.
This conclusion was the outcome Of
conference OF the members OF the naval
strakexc board this afternoon. The let
fers viii be sent TO the Governors and 80
tsc adtitant-Generais OF all states where
there are naval milltia organizations ask
tng them 70 set In motion the machinery
for drilling and equipping the State or
Hsnizaucns prompuy 30 they may be