The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-08

The reply OF President Mckinley was as
follows;
"The government OF the United States
recognizes the good will which prompted
the friendly communication of the repe-
sentatives Of Germany, Austria-hungary'
France. Great Britain, Italy and Rus
STA. as set forth in the address OF your ex-
cellenciss. and shares the hope therein
expressed that the outcome may De the
maintenance OF peace between the United
states and Spain by aflording the neces-
sary guarantee for the establishment OF
order in the island so terminating the
chronic condition OF disturbance there
which so deeply Injuries the interests ana
nenaces the tranquility Of the American
nation by the character and cons squenees
Of the struggle thus kept up at our doors
besides shocking its sentiment OF hu-
manity.
'orhe government of the United States
APPRECIATES the humanitarian and disin-
terested character Of the communication
now made on behalf Of the Powers named
and for its part is convinced that equal
| appreciation will be shown for It's own
earnest and unseihsh endeavors to, fulhli
a duty TO humanity by ending situation
the indefinite prolangation OF which mas
become insufferabie."
AT STATE DEPARTMENT.
The party then Withdrew to the state
Department and repaired in body 10
the diplomatic room where they held
conference with Judge Day, the sec
retary OF state. Secretary Sherman nav
ing gone home to lunch before their ar
rival
This conference took a wider range
and went considerably outside OF the
address delivered to the President.
Shortly after the conference Judge
pay left the State Department declining
10 say more than 20 refer inquirers 10
the address Of the Ambassadors ana inc
reply OF the President.
The note Of the powers has not, IN the
opinion Of members OF the admnlsira~
ton changed the situation in the shsht-
est degree. What pressure was Drought
TO bear to secure even this mildly eN-
pressed hope that further negotiations
would result in the maintenance OF peace
Is not known. but it is confidently DeiieV-
cd that il Is the result of persistent ap-
peals on the part OF spain for some tA-
pression in favor of peace between the
two countries.
The note is not regarded In any sense
az n urotest against the course this gov
ernnent has pursued thus FAR or is Hhe-
lv 10 adopt to secure a state government
I'm Cuba. some Of the governments repre-
sented in the note are known to be IN
full accord with this government IN us
purposes with respect 10 the CUBAN
question and therefore any theory that
the note was intended as a remonsuahce
is not regar, cd as tenable.
The reply Of this govern rment whicn
had previously been read and approved
by members Of the Cabinet is not con-
sidered as indicating any change IN the
fxed nurpose of the President to inter-
yene at once IN Cuba, nor is II believed
that IL was the expectation OF majority
of the foreign representatives represent
cd that the United States would chanSe
its policy or regard the joint note as
other than an expression of desire for
peace. ,,-
No offers Of mediation from any Euro
pean Powers has teen received and none
are expected or would be acceptable Il
nrorered. This has been the fixed policy
of the government from the first and
there Is no prospect of a change in this
regard
AT the embassies and legations the pre-
sentation of the Joint note Of the Powers
was regarded as the event of the day.
An ambassador from one of the great
Powers Of Continental Europe stated that
Il was without parallel In history.
Calls at the various legations late in
the day showed that the response OF the
President had created most favorable
impression in foreign quarters.
The favorable manner of the reception
of the note was looked upon as wise
move at this critical juncture, for with
out rejecting as an Intrusion of these
foreign suggestions, they were so received
as Ia give the greatest promise of SYM
pathy rather than opposition from the
most powerful joint influence in the wo-ld.
At the Capital the situation was dis
cussed among individuals and came up in
the public debate in the House.
The opinion in the Senate and House is
that war must come. Even the most
optimistic Of the conservative Senators
have given up hope of peaceful settle
ment.
A great deal of consideration was given
by Senators and Representatives. TO the
form of action. On this point there is
wide divergence OF opinion, but 1t has
assumed two distinct propositions.
one is the recognition of the indepen-
dence of the island, coupled with armed
intervention to drive out the Spanish, and
the other armed Intervention with a de-
declaration that Cuba should be free, the
desire on the part of those favoring the
latter plan being to avoid recognizing
the insurgents and their government or
any OAlltI SONNlIintul uHAli diAtl Nle
United States has control of the island.
M'KINLEY'S PLAN.
The latter plan is said to be that of the
President tear Is expressed that there
may be a long debate IN the Senate If
some compromise is not agreed upon be-
fore the Committee on Foreign Relations
makes its report
The military branches of the government
steadily continue the work OF preparing
for possible emergencies. The work,
however, being now principally confined
to completing matters heretofore begun.
No new schemes have as yet been entered
upon.
The most important action taken by the
Navy Department to-day was the selec-
ton of commanding officers for the ves-
sells recently purchased from the Morgan
line. These are the magnificent ocean
steamers FL sud, III Norte. and Ell SOL
and the officers to whom they have bean
assigned are Commander willard n.
BTownson, now aboard engaged in pur-
chasing ships and supplies; Commander
Charles II. Davis Commander Charles j.
Train and Commander William IL. En-
ory. orders TO these officers viii be is
sued tomorrow.
III. TVT h a 60 Fn-L