The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-09
UNITED STATES AND SPAIN
CABINET MEETING BRINGS NO
 CHANGE IN SITUATION.

Feblueut'S MBSBuk6 Asoihhhhb Cabinet Officers Say It Will Go to Con- gress on Monday-Feeling That an End Has Come to Diplomatic Talk and That Action Alone Remains Shared in All Quarters Including the Foreign Elm bassies and Legations-No Evidence That Spain will Recede-Lee Leaves Havana To-day-Spanish Minister Has Not Called at State Department in Seven Days.
 Washington, April S.-Good Friday passed in Washington with not a rip house or the capitol, to show that the United States is on the brink of war. Both houses of congress had adjourned until Monday and at the executive mansion there was no rush of eager and excited public men, but a Sunday quiet atmosphere. At only the war and navy departments were there signs of an impending conflict, in the rush of orders to a host of naval off, cers to report at once for duty on ves- sells to which they were assigned and in conferences among bureau chiefs on details of war preparations. And yet, the resolve was f1rmer than ever that unless Spain yielded to the United States demands in regard to Cuba, the United States by force of arms would move on Havana. It was the very recognition of the fixity of this pur- pose that caused the day to be in marked contrast with the excitement of all it's predecessors of late.
 Obligations in Case of War.
 There was still some discussion of Cuban affairs, but it only served to emphasize the fact that one forward step of immense importance had been taken as the discussion concerned not merely intervention and the freedom of Cuba from Spanish dominion, but the obligations and duties that might be imposed upon the United States af- ter we had expelled Spain from the island. This discussion revolved around two propositions, namely, inter- vention without recognition of national independence of the Cuban insurgents, and intervention with the concurrent recognition of the independence of the present insurgent government of Cuba. Some public men lowered between these two propositions and favored compromise. There was no definite in dication of which course would be adopted. but the unsettled state of pub- lie opinion on the matter indicated that the events of the next few days, the strength of the arguments of the forth coming presidential message or dis tinct utterance from our consul gen. eral to Cuba might be strong enough to incline the balance to either course.
 Meeting of the Cabinet.
 The cabinet held it's usual Friday session, but its meeting brought no change in the situation. Indeed 1t was chiefly significant in establishing tke fact that no change had occurred, that none was expected and that the pro- gramme of action on the part of the United States government was already
 
 mains unaltered and this being the last cabinet day before the message will go to congress, alterations are unlikely between now and Monday, barring al- together unexpected developments from Madrid. After the meeting, cabinet officers stated that the message would be sent to congress on Monday, no change in that respect having been considered and all cause for delay having been removed.
 Case Fully Made Up.
 The calmness of the cabinet meet ing, which was one of the most event. full held in recent days was another evidence of the feeling entertained Ky the administration that the case is made up and nothing now remains to be done but to present the subject to congress and await the final outcome there. The feeling that an end had come to diplomatic talk, and that ac- tion alone remained, was shared in all quarters, including the foreign embas- sies and legations, where the ambassa- dors and ministers expressed the feel ing that ali had been done in Wash ington that could or would be done in the cause of peace. What is going on at Madrid gives slight hope of such concessions there as will alter the pres ent situation. There are no negotia- tions in the sense of exchanges on pending propositions. Both parties ap- parently have said their last word con- corning the respective propositions. Certainly this is true as to the United States and there was no evidence to- day that the Spanish government would recede It is even doubtful whether a concession of an armistice by Spain would be sufficeint at this late moment to turn the situation into peaceful channels.
 Lee Leaves Havana To-day.
 Preparations for all eventualities are being hurried to completion. General Lee will leave Havana tomorrow, probably on the naval vessel, Fern, now in Havana harbor, although it was said at the state department that he might take one of the Plant line of steamers. At that time also the other United States consuls and most of the American citizens residing in Cuba will be out of the island. Official reports received to-day stated that large numbers of Americans were leav- ing on the several steamers from Ha- vana and other ports. Entire quiet has prevailed there up to this time