The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
No Apprehension Felt by the Minister
for His Safety, and He still
Thinks Peace Probable.
ARMISTICE NOT GRANTED
SEVERAL HURRIED CONFERENCES
OF CABINET OFFICERS.
WarIiIze Utterances of a Minister
WOOdfOrd May Soon Quit Madrid.

MADRID, April Z, o'clock p. m.-This
has been day of uncertainty and feverish
excitement in the city. Many rumors have
been circulated, but few had foundation.
Though Premier Sagasta thinks the situa-
ton is not critical, the general feeling
among the people is that war is not far off.
The excitement in the provinces has reached
the boiling point, but there are no demon
strations. recorded anywhere yet. All the
steamship firms of Valencia have offered
their vessels as privateers, and a number
of ship captains have called on the naval
commander at Barcelona, asking for letters
Of marque Similar requests have been re-
ceived from abroad, especially from France.
The offers of money from the provinces
toward the fund to increase the strength
of the navy said to be encouraging the
government. 1t is said that Biscay alone
has offered over 100000 pesetss.
United States Minister Woodford issued
the following statement to the Spanish press
this evening:
1.-The Madrid newspapers of this morning
are filled with statements concerning the
American minister which are so inaccurate
that he asks the courtesy of the press to
correct them He does this in the interests
of friendship and peace. The proprieties Of
his diplomatic position forbid his making
any statement with regard to his diplomatic
action with the Spanish government. But
last September the Spanish Foreign Office
received written permission to publish the
text of any official correspondence which
he should have at any time with the Span
ish government and this permission is ef-
fective to-day. The Spanish government i'
at complete liberty to publish every w>rd
he has ever addressed to the Foreign office
by letter, memorandum or stateme~t.
THE second secretary of the american le-
cation has sailed for New york to resume
the practice of his profession. He has re-
signed from the diplomatic service. The
American minister's wife left with her niece
for Paris, Wednesday night She is in poor
health. and the excitement of the past fort
night has compelled her to seek absence
aid rest. The daughter of the American
minister remains, and will remain with him
at Madrid He has not given up his resi-
dence, where he expects to reside so long
as he shall remain accredited to the Span
ish court.
THE American minister has received moth
ing but courtesy from the people of Madrid
FFe has never had the slightest apprehen-
sion as to his own personal security or that
of his family. He is working for peace, and
despite all rumors to the contrary. he still
hopes peace will be kept between Spain and
the United States, and that peace will soon
be re-estabnshed in Cuba, based on abso-
Iffo incf With fnv. IL
American interests in that island and the
maintenance of the honor of Spain''
An extraordinary Cabinet council was
summoned at p. m. which did not termi-
nate till $3.50. No official note has been
issued and all the ministers maintain
absolute reserve, declining to give any in
formation. United States Minister Wood
ford, in note sent to the council, declared
that when he sent the confidential note yes
terday he had not received dispatch from
President Mckinley announcing the post
ponement of the presentation of the mes
sage to Congress, and "as that changes the
aspect of affairs. he withdraws the state
ments made in the previous note
$50 p. m.-The outcome of the Cabinet
council is that the ministers consld-
cred and replied to a message from
Rome delivered late last evening
| and transacted the current busi-
ness of the different ministerial depart
ments. One member of the Cabinet in
formed the representatives of the press that
the aspect Of the affair was more pacific
than yesterday.
! Several Of the papers publish statements
| by General Correo. minister of war, ap-
parently authentic, in which he denies that
the government is threatened with a minis
terial crisis. He is represented as saying
that when the dispute with the United
States entered the acute stage minister
of the Cabinet council remarked: Gentle
men, since, in accepting this post of honor,
we must be unanimous, showing ourselves
ready, if necessary, to sacrifice our lives
we are all resolved to stand firm in this
attitude AS might be expected, con-
tinued the minister of war, ''the answer was
unanimous affirmative. Having ex-
amined the Cuban Cabinets manifesto. |
Loyalty informed my colleagues that could
not sanction the expression Cuban nation
in relation to an armistice, or certain other
expressions. especially suspension of hos
tilities,' which could not be employed with
out dishonoring the army unless a petition
emanated from the insurgents Senior
Moret, desiring to avoid a conflict. critI-
cised the attitude Of myself and other min
! listers. but our arguments convinced him 4
cable message was Immediately dispatched