The times., 1898-04-17
THE SITUATION.
Events VIII Take Their Course
Without European intervention.


mo scheme of European intervention
reached the point of a suggestion. even,
to this country
This statement was made TO a reporter
for The Times. late yesterday by Judge
Day, Acting Secretary of State. The
same statement of the situation has been
made by Judge Day before TO several
other people. and it has been made by
members of the Cabinet to several sena-
tors.
To this may be added the other posi-
tive assertion, made by a memt@r of the
Cabinet and by another personal and Of
fetal friend of the President to a re-
porter of The Times on Friday. that the
Administration win not consider any
European interference if it is offered.
These two statements taken together
very clearly define the position of the
United States in this matter.
America does not believe Europe will
desire to offer anything in the way of
belligerent intervention. but if Europe
cares TO take up Spain's quarrel, Amer
lea is ready to settle with all of Europe
on the same basis as that on which it
now proposes to settle with Spain.
There has been talk of further efforts
for peace between the European govern
ments. unquestionably, and the sugges-
ton of intervention may have been made
in the privacy of diplomatic souncils-
Even it is very probable that there may
have been careful utterances from in
spired success meant to have an effect
in this country. Further than this it is
not believed that any program has been
made or will be. Beyond this point the
continental powers will content them
selves with sympathizing with Spain
Spain Wants to Right.
There is still a difference of opinion
as to the possibility of pressure being
brought TO bear upon Spain. There is
every indication that Spain is as stub
bornly intent on fighting as the United
States The people and the queen are
equally assertive of their determination
not to give up the sovereignty over Cuba.
1t is undoubtedly the fact that Spain
did not know until the resolutions of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee had
been introduced that the United States
insisted on the giving up of the island.
Nothing of the kind had been suggested
by the President in his diplomatic inter
course with the Spanish government
There was the very positive assertion
by Mr.. McKNley's Administration on
several occasions that an ultimatum
had been sent demanding Cuban inde-
l. hn rs
was ascertained when the President s
| message was read.
The Presidents message in the light
| of this new information very clearly left
| the hope TO Spain that the intervention
| proposed by him would be simply TO stop
| the war in Cuba. There was the plain
| suggestion even that the Intervention OF
the United States might be against the
Cubans as much as the Spaniards. Even
when the message had been sent Spair
believed that Mr.. Mckinley had no in,
tentlon of des sroying her sovereignty IN
| the island.
The House resolution undoubtedly
! might be construed as plan of the con
servative members of the Legislature u
play to the galleries in this country anC
still leave the President free to do a:
he wished in making Spain's reign IL
Cuba more stable government.
Cannot Peacefully COerce Spain.
There is very good reason in all this fo
believing that the possibility of coercin;
Spain has undergone change for tn
worse within the last few days. As Ions
as there was no positive assertion by thi
Government that Spain must give u
Cuba and as long as the President wa