The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
VIEWS OF ENGL1sHMEN.
They Think Matters Are Nearing
Crisis. hut Hope for "a Solution.

Crisis, hut Hope for Solution.
Copyright 1885, by the Associated Press)
LONDON. April 1.-The nervousness of
the stock markets, which was emphasized
by a sudden drop of 8 points in Spanish
tours at the opening of the Stock Exchange,
has been fully reflected in diplomatic circles
which have experienced almost as much diff
heulty as outsiders in extracting facts from
the mass of contradictory statements re-
2garding the Hispano-American crisis until
to-day Beyond opining generally that mat
ters were nearing crisis, there was not
man in London of real weight who was wilt
ing to risk an opinion as to whether the
outcome would be peace or war. Even now
there is a difference of opinion, but the dis
-sinctly warlike tone of the great mass of
evidence and the marked divergence of the
United States demands and SPANS pro-
posaIs have led the majority TO conclude
that the parting of the ways has been
reached unless within few hours Senior
Sagasta is able to give assurances that the
delav he asks for will insure the complete
freedom of Cuba. 1t is not too much to say
that all Europe regrets it. though for diff
ferent reasons some because genuinely
friendly nations are involved and others be-
cause they dread that the war bacillus will
lspread and aggravate the feverish spirit OF
unrest already in evidence in the old world.
TO the last therefore, it is hoped that a
solution will be found, even when Spain is
apparently intractable.
The best-nformed persons believe Spain
is only temporizing, as it is recognized there
is difficulty in the Spanish government ac-
ceptine without demur the demands of the
United States in view of the danger of a
revolution and the overthrow of the mon
archy So, though realizing the imminence
of hostiIities the apparent hopelessness of
averting war has come as a shock. 1t was
generally believed that the enormous ma
iority obtained by Senior Sagasta in the new
Cortes would make him master of Spain
and permit him to yield TO the inevitable
but it seems that some IS per cent. of the
voters who die not participate in the cleo
lions. including the army and the Barcelona
and other merchants who are vitality inter-
ssted in Cuba, do not propose to allow him
n free nand. They have been among the
most fsrvent in the patriotic demonstrations
Of the past few days.
General interest in the situation is in
tense. All the news bulletins are eagerly
scanned, and in the Hobbies of the House
Of Commons yesterday evening there were
animated discussions of the crisis, which
have given enhanced interest 10 the state
ment of a prominent ship owning member
OF the House of Commons that the United
States during the day had been Offering
very large sums for nlneteen-knOl steamers
Although the consensus of opinion is that
there is no escape from hoStilities unless
the unforeseen. as so frequently happens
IN politics, changes the course of events,
there are a few hopeful people left. Mr..
James Brice, NJ. F., the former president
of the Board of Trade and author of the
American Commonwealth, is quoted
saying; Somehow, | fancy that.
as the two powers have drifted towards
war we are not going to witness so fright
fui a calamity j know President McKin-
ley and all his administration, and know
they do not wish for war. In fact, none
of the really clear-headed men in the
United States want war. They can see too
Opinion in London has been little infiu-
enced by the specious character of Senior
Sagasta's counter proposals. As. ar official
Of the Foreign Office remarked: THE
Americans will naturally decline to accept
such proposals as a sufficient guarantee
that power that has 50 long apparently
failed to discharge its duties in humane
administration can now be trusted 10 give
effect TO its tardy conversion" The For
eign Office official added: The response
biiity resting upon each party is terrible.
Happssy, nothing will tend so effectively to
quicken the feeling of responsibility among
Spanish statesmen as the prospect of nav
Ing 10 face Immediately the grim conse-
qusnces Of persistence in an uncompromis-
ing force Reading between the lines of
senior SagastaS proposals have reason
10 think he does not mean to drive matters
10 extremes, and that he viii learn from
the construction put upon them that his
conditions will not relieve the United States
or the duty of Intervention. compelled. as
the Americans are. by a sense of moral
obligation to take action in the matter. So
il Senior Sagasta is as strong as he is UNI
questfonaby we'll meaning he will persuade
his couhtrymen to accept unreservedly the
American conditions"
The positive semi-officiai declaration tele-
graphed last night to the Associated Press
from Madrid. in which It was announced
that no proposition containing the slightest
allusion to the Independence of Cuba either
with or without indemnity, has been made
90 the Spanish government; that the govern
FGt art al C11nH
propositions, and that there Is no party or
statesmen IN Spain disposed 10 listen to
such a solution Of The crisis, has created q
mild sensation here, as II has been assumed
that the Independence 0f Cuba was the crux
ef the difficulty. II has even been suggested
"a pro Spanish circles that the Waf party