Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-04-06
Especial to the August

Especial to the August
WASHINGTON, d. c., April There
is little doubt but the president and
the members of his cabinet now re-
gard a conflict with Spain as almost
In his message to con-
gress which in all probability will be
sent next Monday, with certainty
next week, 1t is understood that the
president will review at some length
the record as it stands between this
government and Spain, but will not
insist upon further time in which to
negotiations looking to- the
peaceful solution of the problem.
The cabinet meeting this morning
was unQuestionably the most i'm
pOrtant held in many years. 1t re-
ceived SPANS answer to the ulti-
matum of this government and, find
ing it unsatisfactory, practically de-
cided upon a policy which at this
hour seems certain to involve hostil-
tiles. The whole record will be laid
before congress, and h question is
now under consideration as to what
shall be the particular form pol
icy shall take in bringing to an end
the horrors in Cuba and securing the
independence of the island, PROPOSE
tons ranging from simple recogni-
ton of independence to a straight
Out declaration of war having been
urged at the capital; but thery ia
hardly a doubt that the majority of
congress will await the executive
lead before taking action, and is dis
posed to adopt MIR. McKinley's sug-
gestions on tt is point. tits thought
that any of the resolutions except
possibly simple recognition of indie
pendence will lead to war. There
were, of course, all sorts of rumors
in circulation, including reports of
mediation by some European powers,
put no UGH suggestion has come to
this government, for as late as 5
O'Clock, in response to a direct ques-
ton, Assistant Secretary Day said
that there had been no offer of me-
diation by any foreign government.
One member of the cabinet, in speak
ing OF the meeting today, spoke sub
stantially as follows: ''In the morn
ing 1t was apparent to all of us that,
having exhausted all diplomatic ef-
forts to bring about a better condi-
ton of affairs in Cuba, and they hav-
ing failed, the whole question must
be submitted to congress. At N
afternoon meeting the president re-
quested each member OF the cabinet
to express freely his individual opin-
ion as to what should be done.
The discussion was entirely along the
president will now take the views
submitted to him under considera-
ton preparatory to his message to
congress, which will be sent i'm early
next week. President Mckinley has
done a great deal of work recently
and appears quite fatigued; conse-
quently he will take some little rest
before beginning active work on the
message. He has not yet determ-
ined upon what recommendations
will be communicated to congress.
My own individual opinion is that
little faith can be put in the promises
made by Spain, and this makes me
hesitate about accepting with any
confidence her latest proposals. In
the first place, she promised a long
time ago that the recOntradoes
would be released. The results show
that this promise has not been kept;
now she promises to release them
but keep them under military super.
vision. Who a tell whether she
will adhere to this expressed inten.
ton? Broadly there appears to be
three courses open to the president
in dealing further with this matter
The first OF these is to accept the
proposals submitted by Spain i'm re
ply to the American representations
The second is to relegate the whole
matter tn congress and let that body
do as it deemed proper, which,
think, would mean Intervention
Thirdly, to take a middle stand, but
as 1 said before, nothing has YET
been determined upon by the presi
dent, OF If he has reached d decision
he did not communicate 1t to tn,
members Of the cabinet this after
noon. Yes, reference was made BY
Spain to the Maine matter in tn
reply she sent to Minister Woodford
She made no offer to pay for the loss
but suggested that the matter b.
settled by arbitration. So far as
recall it, she expressed no regret 70
the sad occurrence. and the Who'll
thing was regarded as acold-bloode,
statement"
The second session of the cabine
LASTED until 5 O'Clock. The SpanisI
minister called at the state depart
ment at 4:30 o'clock and was in cor
florence with Judge Day for som
time. Although there is the strictes
: reserve as to what occurred, it ca
be stated positively that the Unite
States submitted no further propos
tions, nor did the Spanish ministe
offer anything which would chang
: the situation of affairs. Both side
: regarded the issue as made up. wit
no likelihood of further negotiation
: between now and the time when tn
Ip~resident will submit the whole cas
leo congress. The United States ha