The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-04
FROM THE VATICAN.
insurgents Appealed to Sons of the
Church to Accept an Armistice.

| Madrid. April /, via Bayonne, France,
| April 2.-In spite of the gloomy aspect
prevailing this morning this correspon-
dent hears tonight that Spain may find
way out of the difficult and grant all
President Mckinley has asked though in
different form. A diplomat friendly
to both nations, made strong representa-
tions today to an influential Spanish
minister, urging Spain to accept Ameri
cas- moderate demands which he ap-
proved and representing that unless it
was done this week it would be too late.
1t is further learned that these represen-
tations had decided effect.
Much pressure has been brought to bear
upon the Papal Nuncio, urging him to
ask Spain to grant an armistice and at
the same time issue a rescript to the in
fsurgents, urging them, as faithful sons OF
the church, to accept. The plan Is likely
to succeed. The probabilities tonight
are that Spain's offer on these lines, will
| be made tomorrow. 1t is not doubted
that the great difficulty in the way of
|
army officers, who it is generally admit
ted would endeavor to precipitate re-
volution were an armistice offered at the
suggestion of the United States.
| Various mis- leading accounts of yester-
days conference have been published, in
dicating long and impressive discus
sion. All that happened was that Senior
| r |, 1e+o for tho
the Spanish note. United States Minis
ter Woodford, without expressing an opin-
| ion, promised to transmit it to Washing
ton and after the most friendly inter-
change of compliments the conference
! ended.
The Spanish counter proposals are brief.
| They began with reference to the
Maine. which did not form part of the
United States suggestions Spain ex-
presses regret at the ACCIDENT and that
it occurred in Spanish waters, suggesting
that the question of Spain responsible
ty be referred to arbitration. The note
then declines the good offices of the Unit
ed States government in regard to the re-
concentrates and an armistice. In re-
the matter is in the hands of the Cuban
government, intimating that an armis-
tice would be granted if the insurgents
asked for it.
i The newspapers today are extremely
jubilant over the display of patriotism
at the Opera house last evening, but it
was to great extent manufactured en-
4 81 ha11 tod
to subscribe and did so. The same is true
of the army officers.
/ From entirely reliable information it
can be asserted that the government has
adopted measures to mobilize at any
moment the available military forces of
the country. An order has already been
given directing the garrison of Madrid
and the military commanders to rein
force all the maritime posts at given
moment and the sappers and miners of
the garrison of Logrono to proceed imme-
diately to the Baleric islands
The newspapers announce that they
have patriotically agreed to obey the ex-
pressed desire Of the government and pub
fish nothing respecting the movement of
the army or navy.
The Spanish battleship Pelayo has been
undergoing repairs and alteration at
Toulon. She leaves on Saturday for Car
thagena, taking with her French work
men to complete her repairs.
Work on the armament of the Carlos V.
is proceeding most actively and nearing
completion.
Spain will Immediately get out of for
eign waters all the warships she has al
ready purchased lest an outbreak of hos
Utilities render 1t impossible. She is
adopting the same measure for war ma
terial contracted for abroad.
Large orders fer coal to be used for the
Cuban service have been given.
| 1t is reported that the Spanish navy de-
partment has received numerous over
lures from the native and mercantile ma
rine to prepare as privateers.
Senior Sagasta is alive to the gravity of
the situation and seems inclined to be-
Iieve this bold front will deter the United
States from pushing it's demands into
war.