Evening star., 1898-03-26
One Anxiously Awaited in Response
to Communications Sent.
PEACE OR WAR DEPENDING ON II.
What the Feeling is at the Capitol
Today.
INTERVENTION EXPECTED

The information at the Capitol today is
that a prompt response is expected from
Spain to the communications sent through
Minister Woodford last evening and today,
and that upon this response will depend
peace or war.
III Is understood that the Spanish tor
pedo feet is not to be permitted to enter
the Havana harbor. The situation Is thus
represented. Upon Spain's putting an end
TO hosiilities in Cuba depends the preser-
walton of peace between this government
and Spain. This government desires peace,
but insists that there must he an end to
the cruelties in Cuba. In the interest of
peace Spain has been given time to restore
order and this government is still holding
off-but not for long-that Spain herself
may act. Further hostile demonstration
on the part OF Spain will be regarded as
conclusive evidence of her intention not to
comply with demand for peace, and this
will hasten Intervention.
II Peaceably Inclfned.
IF Spain is peaceably inclined. that fact
can be indicated by turning back the tor
pedo fleet or stopping II short OF Cuba. II
she fails to do this, IT is said that fact will
hasten peremptory demand from the
United States that hostilities in Cuba cease.
After that demand is made the further pro-
gress of the fleet toward Havana will be
regarded as a refusal to comply with the
demand and will be resisted by force.
While under ordinary circumstances this
government would not have any right to
interfere with the sending of a Spanish
fleet to Spanish port, the circumstances
in this case are not ordinary, and, more
over. the Interference. IL necessary will be
not to obstruct the movements of Spain's
navy, but to enforce a demand that hos
tilities be stopped in Cuba
The indications of Spain's intentions are
such as to render the belief general at the
Capitol that war will not be averted.
Cabinet Conferences.
Inc conferences which occurred at the
White House yesterday and until nearly
midnight have left deep Impression OF the
gravity of the situation. The understand
ing is that while the cabinet did not tire
Vocably decida upon the very steps to be
taken, 1t was generally agreed that the
course of Spain must be determined at
once. 1t is said that two communications
with Spain have followed the receipt of the
Maine report. The first of these was the
Transmission of a synopsis of the Maine
report Spain's response to. this As UNDER
stood to have been the declaration Of the
Spanish court that the explosion occurred
from an accident on board the Maine, spain
disclosing her purpose to contend against
the accuracy of the findings of our court
This country, il is declared, will not admit
OF any doubt as to the findings of our own
court, and a controversy over that question
would be academic, since no money de-
mands OF Spain are to be based Oh the de.
struction Of the Maine.
A Second Note.
- A second not is said to have been cabled
Minister woodford, which, while making
no demands made a representation OF
facts sufficiently impress.0.. to require an
immediate declaration of his position by
Spain.
The response to this communication fs
said to be hourly expected. If the re-
sponse is as unfavorable as the present
movements of Spain indicate, ii is likely
to be, it is said. that immediate interven-
ton may be looked for, and that an effort
will be made to destroy the Spanish tor
pedo fleet.
Not n Point Of Contention.
1t is declared that the President does
not intend that the Maine report shall be
made the point of contention between the
two governments. The finding of the
American court is final. and is not to be
made the subject of contention at all, nor.
it is said. the basis of demand for an
indemnity. The destruction of the Maine
simply adds one more horror resulting
from the dfserdered conditions in Cuba.
Spain. it is declared, is either responsible
for these many horrors or is unable by
reason OF the inconpetency of her gov-'
eminent in Cuba. tc prevent them. 1t ts
pointed out that there is a lofty mag
nanimity in this government assuming that
the Spanish government is Incompetent
rather than criminal; and in including the
Maine disaster with the other inhuman
consequences of the struggle in Cuba, the
best possible escape that this government
can afford Spain Is offered.