Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01
A DAY OF WAITING.
Anxiety as TO What SPANS Reply
May Be.
WHITE HOUSE AGAIN THRONCED.
President Expects Something Definite
for Presentation to Congress Monday.
HESSbGE RECEIVED FROM MADRID.
But II is in Cipher, and Will Not Be
Translated Until To-Day.
ATTITUDE OF EUROPEAN POWERS.
Alleged Menace Against Spain Made by
Germany on an Old Claim.
CONGRESS WILL WAIT TILL MONDAY.
Assurances 10 This Effect Given 10 The
President by Leaders.
ACTION AS TO NAVAL RESERVES.
Orders Forthcoming That They Be Made
Assurances 10 This Effect Given 10 the
President by Leaders.
ACTION AS TO NAVAL RESERVES.
Orders Forthcoming That They Be Made
Ready Tor Immediate Service.
w,Rsnms CLEARED FOR ACTION.
They Are Now Ready To Move nt Fif-
cOnCcntradO Release order EN-
tended To West Cuba.

tended to W est Iubh.
WASHINGTON. March Sl.-This has
been a day of anxious waiting for Spain's
reply TO the demands of the United
states. contemplating a termination of
the war in cuba and the independence Of
the island. on that reply. it was univer-
sally believed the issue between peace
OF war would be decided. unless some
thing new and unexpected should arise
to postpone the matter further But de-
lay would meet the opposition of Con-
gress.
The gravity Of the situation was felt in
ali official quarters. 1t was not day of
rapid developments, as when war prepa-
rations were following in rapid success
sion. but the tension was even greater,
from the uncertainty that prevailed, and
the feeling that Spain would not concede
the complete independence Of Cuba.
The White House continued to be
thronged with congressional leaders, anx-
ious to learn from the President what
his course was to be. The general view
convened by these leaders, after they had
been with the President, was that he eX-
pected TO have definite replies from Spain
in time 10 present the entire subject to
Congress by next Monday.
The State Department was the centre
OF interest throughout The day, as it was
there that Mr.. Woodford's dispatch, an
nouncing Spaln's attitude, was to be re-
ceived. At 4 o'clock Judge Day. the AS
sistant Secretary, started for the White
House. in company with Secretary Long
He stated in response to an inquiry that
no reply had been received from Madrid.
He added that he had hoped to receive
the reply this evening. but he began to
fear that there might be a delay until
tomorrow.
ALLEGED GERMAN MENACE.
The attitude Of European Powers con-
tinued TO be seriously discussed in Off
cial quarters. as 1t was felt an offer OF
European mediation was almost certain
~ follow a war crisis. No distinct offer
has been submitted up to the present
moment. In this connection the cable
raDort from Berlin that Germany was
menacing Spain on an old claim and was
about TO make a naval demonstration in
cuba. attracted much attention. The
German Ambassador, DR.. Won Holleben,
said that he had received no information
as to this reported movement nor was ne
acquainted with the Cannambra incident
referred 10. The Spanish Minister is also
unacouainted with the Cannambra case.
and does not credit the report that Ger
many has taken steps Of a decisive cha'
racter.
It was the general feeling that if Ger
many had taken any such action, 1t would
have a most decided influence upon the
Spanish-American situation, and one Sc
riously prejudicial to Spain. For this rea-
son IT was the opinion Of diplomats that
Germany would not choose such juno
ture as the present in order to make
emergency demands IN claim against
Spain.
PRECEDENT FOR SPAIN.
Said a prominent diplomat to-day:
'.spain seems 10 be under the impression
that her national honor forbids her from
svrrendering part Of her Colonial domain
under pressure from the United States
There are, however, precedents showing
that European Powers have preserved
their dignity while making similar con-
cessions. 1t may be remembered that the
Ionian Islands. a part OF the Turkish
f.mplre. were afterward ceded 70 Greece
bv Great Britain. and that Venetia was
not surrendered by Austria directly 10
Italy. but 10 France which transferred
Il 20 the government Of Victor Emanuel
CONGRESS WATTS TILL MONDAY.
Congress will wait until Monday before
any action Is taken. The President has
asked delay until that time and as
surances have been given by those IN
charge OF anairs that there VIII be no
thing done until then.
THE NAVAL MILITIA
The most important action taken by
the Navy Department to-day was the de-
termination 10 have the naval militia OF
the several states prepared for immediate
service. should this be found necessary
This conclusion was the outcome OF
conference OF the members OF the naVai
Strategic Board this afternoon The ie'-
ters will be sent TO the Governors anu
the adjutant-generals of all states where
there are naval militia organizations ASK
Ing them 20 set in motion the machinery
for drilling and equipping the state or
ganizations promptly, so they may DC
ready within a few hours notice OF
call 10 arms Assistant-Secretary koose-
welt has charge Of all matters pertaining
10 the naval militia. and he feels that the
response to this reqsest will be nearly
and prompt.
rhe oinclals express the hope that there