Evening star., 1898-04-09

The International Crisis.

The International Crisis.
The opinion was expressed by men high
in authority, both at Madrid and Washing
ton, that as a result of the past weeks
negotiations Spain and the United States
were neorer war than ever before. There
were numerous conferences al Madrid be-
tween Minister Woodford and Premier Sa-
gasta and between Sagasta and representa-
tives of other European powers, all look
ing toward the maintenance of peace. 1t
was reported that the pope had taken
hand in the negotiations and that he had
induced Spain to grant an armistice to
the insurgents pending a review of the
whole question by the powers of Europe,
which would perhaps end in the with
drawal of Spain from the island. Then
came advices from London that England
positively declined to be a party 10 any
such scheme. and this was followed by an
announcement that the Spanish cabinet,
after long and important session, had
finally determined that Spain would not
recede from its original position to pre-
serve the integrity: of her territory at all
hazards. 1t was announced that diplomatic
relations between this country and Spain
were practically broken off and Minister
Woodford was in readiness to leave at
moments notice. He sent his wife and
the members of his staff to France on
Thursday. Strong corroborative evidence
Of the nearness of hostilities was furnished
by the action of the six great powers of
Europe in having their representatives at
Madrid and Washington call on the respec-
tive governments of the two countries and
express the hope that peace might be main
tanned President McKinley's reply to the
representatives Of the powers who called
on him was firm and dignifed He shared
in the expressions of hope for the mainte-
nance of peace, but added that the condi-
tons in Cuba were insufferable. Premier
Sagasta announced that his government
had no intention of opening further nego-
tiations. President Mckinley prepared
message on the situation which was to
have been sent to Congress on "Wednesday,
hut was postponed at the last moment at
the cabled suggestion Of Consul General
Lee that more time be allowed the Ameri-
cans in Cuba 10 get away. The delivery
of the message was postponed until Mon
Gay in consequence. 1t was authoritatlVely
asserted that the message would recon-
mend immediate Intervention to stop the
war in Cuba and that this would be con-
strued by Spain as a practical declaration
of war. Several of the consuls and many
Americans left the island during the lat
ter part of the week. The greatest actiN-
ity was maintained by the military arms
of both governments. Commodore Schieys
fleet at Hampton Roads was completed by
the arrival of the Texas and ram katahdin
and was reported ready TO sail at a mo-
ments notice. Capt. SIMPSONS fleet at
Key West was also stripped for war. The
Spanish torpedo fiotilla was ordered to re-
main at the Cape de Verde Islands until
joined by three a1mored cruisers, and then
to proceed to Cuba. Great activity was
displayed i'll Spanish navy yards, and mer-
chant vessels were fitted out with rapid
firing guns and manned by strong crews,
commanded by officers of the royal navy.
A military draft was issued in Cuba re-
quiring every able-bodied Spaniard to reg
lister for military duty. torpedo expert
of London published signed statement
10 the effect that he sold number OF
flA 0,,or 4c1r ar.lYp1 1sa11f n
used in Havana and explained that the
explosion of one of those mines was i'm
possible except through the connivance of
the officials in charge of them The ensign
was formally taken down from the battle
ship Maine, and her official existence
ended. Speeches Were made in the United
States Senate on the Spanish-Cuban situa-
ton, all urging prompt recognition OF Gu
ban independence. The House passed the
bill empowering the President to erect
temporary fortifications upon land without
requiring the title to be legally completed.
Repre- sentative LentZ of Ohio attacked the
President in a speech in the House. charg-
ing the chief executive with delaying his
message in order to aid certain stock
jobbing operations; Representative Grosve-
nor replied, and an excited debate ensued:
Representative LentZ was later condemned
by representatives of all parties.
Domestic.
Negotiations were started with view of
between the United States and Canada.
The Ohio river broke the levee at Shawnee
town, ILL.,, fooied the place and drowned
about fifty residents. Rev. DR.. Charles A.
Briggs, the Presbyterian theologian. has
resigned from the New York presbytery
and applied for holy orders In the Epis-
copal Church. Five thousand carpenters
went on strike in Chicago.
Foreign.
Ths Anglo-Egyptian forces under Sir Her
bert Kitchener attacked and defeated the
dervishes in the Soudan, about eighteen
miles south of the Atbara river; Mahmud
the dervish general, was captured. The
British government arranged to concen-
trate 2,OOO more troops at Jamaica. The in
ternational Panama canal commission COM
pleted its inspection of the canal and sailed
for New York. A Chinese Of rank accused
Ii Hung Chang and the entire Tsung-Lf-
Yamen of having been bribed by Russia
Great Britain demanded a lease of Wei
Hai-Wei, on the Shan-Tung peninsula,
after the Japanese evacuation. An Ameri-
can chapel was reported to have been loot
ed by rioters. In Chung -King-Kinsin prov
Commons, explained what Great Britain
had acquired in China. The insane King Of
Bavaria was reported to be dying.
In the District.
The House devoted Monday to the consid-
Grafton of District measures. passing the
House bills to authoriz. the reassessment
of water main taxes, to authorize the Com
missioners to establish cab stands at the
railroad stations, to incorporate the Ma
tional Florence Crittenton Mission, relating
to barbed wire fences, to incorporate tn.
Washington and University railroad, to
amend the charter of the District of CO.
linn Sub, roflr 10 fnn to