The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-31

MADRID, March 30.-While the stu,
alton here is outwardly OF the calnest
description, the actual position OF af-
fairs is regarded as critical by both the
United States legation and the Spanish
government.
The United States minister, General
Stewart L. Woodford, IS working ener-
getically for SpaIn's peace until the first
gun Is fired. 1t is known that the Span
ist government admits the desirabillty
or necessity Of complying with the de-
mands OF the United States. and It 10
only in the disincMratlon OF the minis
ters to put. this Willingness into concrete
form that the danger hes. II q confer
ence were to be held with British, Ger
man or French diplomats, the matter
would be settled without question.
That Wor,i i"imn,edintriy."
THE POINT WHICH GEN. WOOD
FORD is NOW PRESSING is, THAT
IN THE INTERESTS OF HUMAN
1TY. HoST1LITIES IN CUBA MUST
CEASE IMMEDIATELY. NO DATE
WAS FIXED EITHER IN THE FIRST
OR IN THE PRESENT NOTE, BUT
THE UNITED STATES is NOW
DWELLING UPON THE MEANING
OF The WORD I.IAIAIEDIATELY."
AND INSISTING THAT SPAIN 5AC-
CBPT ITS GENERAL INTERPRE-
TATION.
The public generally IS taking little
apparent interest In the situation, but
there is general dsinclination to be-
lieve that war Is likely.
Ell Pals says four wars.ips have been
| obtained by Spain In France, and that
negotiations are pending for the pur-
chase of several torpedo boats in Great
Britain.
The Pals also says that orders have
been issued TO mobilize all the Spanish
warships and the torpedo boat Halcyon
is to sail Immediately from Carthagena,
for Cadiz, where n second torpedo
squadron Is being prepared.
Military engineers. according to the
Pals, are Starting for the Canary ISL
ands. and the Baleriac Islands are be-
ing fortified.
Italy, It Is said by the Pals, has de-
| cided to sell the armored cruised Gui-
sueppe Garibaldi, OF $50 tons and we'll
armored. sister ship OF the Varez, to
Spain.
Two regiments, still according to the
Pals, are going to the Canary Islands
to strengthen the Spanish garrison
there. IS
continGoncie. of Peace.
The Armstrong; Spanish agent, a
Spaniard. who is in touch with the gov
ernment and commercial people in
Spain, has expressed the belief that un-
less the powers intercept there will be
war. He added: 'If the United States
offered money for our clearing out OF
Cuba We could not accept, but II the
proposition emanated from another
power 1t Is not unlikely that 1t would be
accepted"
This view OF the case Is echoed by a
portion of the Spanish press, which ad-
vises Spain to wash her hands OF Cuba
Senior Ortiz de Zarato. prominent
| former Carlist deputy, who has just
been defeated at Vittoria, expresses the
opinion that there would be no war,
saying: I'VE have neither ships. sail-
| ors soldiers, plans nor money, and the
government knows 1t. 1t will struggle
to the last and then cave in e.
Senior Zarato. who was recently at
CadiZ, says the Spanish warships Po-
layo and Carlos ", which the govern
ment announced ready for sea, cannot
possibly be made ready sooner than In
two months.
Covers Two Points.
A cabinet council was held this AFTER
noon to consider the American propo-
sails. Another will be held tomorrow
at noon, presided over by the queen re-
gent, and at o'clock tomorrow there
will be n final conference between
United States Minister Woodford,
Senor Sesasta, the premier; Senior Gul-
Ion, the foreign minister. and Senior
Moret, the minister! for the colonies
The proposition which Spain wils an
swer covers two points only and its
publication will be n revelation to some
of those abroad who have been de-
nouncing Americas aggressive attitude.
It Is as follows:
Spain is to proclaim Immediately an
armistice In Cuba to last until Octo-
Der, during which INTERVAL the United
States wifi use It's good offices with the
insurgents to make this temporary
peacepermanent; and second, Spain is to
| do her best toward relieving suffering
| and starvation on the island. with
America TO be allowed TO assist in this
| work. r-rE- s.l -.4. Z