New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-02
PRICE THREE CENTS.
WAR ALMOST INEVITABLE,
SENTIMENT IN WASHINGTON.
SPAIN's ANSWER UNSATISFACTORY 10
THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE PRESIDENT WILL SEND MESSAGE TO
CONGRESS PROBABLY on MONDAY DIP
LoMATIc NEGOTIATIONS PRAcrI-
cALLY AT AN END.
lBr THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. !

CALLY AT AN END
lBr THE ASSOCIATED PREss.l
Washington April 1.-There Is little doubt
chat the President and the members OF his Cabi-
net now regard a conflict with Spain almost
inevitable. In his Message TO Congress. which
in all probability will be sent in next Monday.
and certainly early next week. 1t is understood
that the President will review at some length
the record 1t stands between this Government
and Spain. but will not insist upon further time
In which to continue negotiations looking to .
peaceful solution OF the Cuban problem Tho
Cabinet meeting this morning unquest.ona-
bly, the most important held in many years
II received Spain's answer to the ultimatum Of
this Government, and. finding II unsatisfactory.
practically decided upon policy which at this
hour seems certain to involve hostilities.
The whole record will be laid before Congress-
and the question is now under earnest consdera-
tion Of what particular form OF policy shall be
taken in bringing % an end she horrors In Cuba
and securing the independence OF the island.
Propositions ranging from simple recognition
cf Cuban independence to straightout declara-
ton OF war have been urged at the Capitol. but
there Is hardly a doubt that the majority OF
Congress awaits Executive lead before taking
action. and is disposed TO adopt Mr.. McKinley's
suggestion this point. 1t is thought that any
Of the resolutions except possibly simple recog'
milton OF independence. would lead TO war
NO OFFER OF MEDIATION
There were, Of course all sorts OF rumors In
circulation, including reports OF mediation oy
some European Powers. but no such suggestion
has come TO this Government, for as late as
o'clock in response to a direct question. AZ
sstant Secretary Day said that there had been
~. N
ment.
The second session OF the Cabinet lasted from
5 TIL 620 o'clock.
The Spanish Minister called at the State De-
partment at 4:3O o'clock and in conference
with Judge Day for some time. Although there
was the strictest reserve TO what had oc-
Cured, It can be stated positively that tho
United States submitted no further propositions,
nor did the Spanish Minister offer anything
which changed the situation of affairs.
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS UNLIKELY.
Both sides regard the Issue as made up. with
no likelihood OF further negotiations between
now and the time when the President will SUBJ
NIT the whole case TO Congress. The United
States has presented its demand and Spain has
| given her answer. Thus the case stands. While
this brings a halt to the active negotiations
which have been in progress for the last few
| days 1t does not mean that diplomatic relations
between the two countries are terminated. for
such a step is the last preliminary before an
! actual state OF war. Minister Woodford re-
mains at his post at Madrid. and Is said TO Be
entirely safe from harm. The Spanish Minister
| sehor Polo de Bernabe. also remains at his post
at Washington The critical condition Of affairs
within recent days has led him and his stan TO
consider what disposition Of their effects would
,atr hora hQrQna IN
tenable.
From the Spanish point OF view there Is tho
same disposition as that shown by the authori-
| ties here, to regard the Issue as made up. Tho
answer OF Spain is looked the limit OF
concession which Madrid Will grant. II there Is
TO be another move the Spanish Government
| looks to the United States 10 make II. This. at
| least. Is the situation as It presents Itself TO
! those best Informed in Washington. OF course.
! II cannot be foretod what Madrid will do In
| the stress OF circumstances within the next two
days But those best able TO judge do not ex-
meet nny further move from Madrid. they say
that Spain has reached the limit OF her conces-
sions
THE SPANISH MINISTER'S WORK.
The Spanish Minister has naturally been
centre in the exciting incidents OF to-day He
s fully conscious Of the gravity OF the situation.
and while still expressing hope for peace speaks
TO his friends of the eventualities which may
| come To one Of them he said to-day that he
| could not believe thai two Nations made up OK
| calm and sensible people would rush into the
untold horrors of war He added that IL would
| no q wicked and cruel crime for this result 20 bs
nrecipitated The staff Of the Legation is work.
ing day and right. and the lights in the Lega-
ton office were burning until 3 o'clock this
morning while the secretaries and attaches were
deciphering cable dispatches and in turn reduc-
ing dispatches 10 cipher for transmission 70
Madrid The Minister personally superintends
all this work and effort is made 10 condenss
or spare expense In presenting by cable the In
! formation between the officials here and in Mad
rid.
Late this afternoon a Madrid bulletin was
received stating that the Pope was seeking to
| exerclse pacific influences by inducing both
! Spain and the insurgents to accept an armistics
| IN Cuba II this be true. the Pope has not given
my instructions along this line TO Monslgnor
Martinelll. the Pap Delegate at Washington.
| The latter has taken no step toward mediation
| II has been reported that one Of the archbishops
OF the Catholic Church. in the course OF an IN
Formal conversation with high officials here.
suseested the mediation OF the Pope. This
| however was unofficial and no authorized prop
osition OF any character has come from Hons'
Furthermore there is little reason 10 believe ths
| Administration would receive with favor any
nronosition OF this character from foreign
| source.
WAR TALK IN CONGRESS.
In Congress the situation was little changed
| from, the tension OF the last two days Whle
| the Senate was In secret session there was
! great deal OF war talk. The subject under de-
! nate the ACQUISITION Of the Danish West In
| dies served as a text for the discussion. on
the House side the members gathered In groups
and talked Of the warrior they seemed to have
the impression that such an outcome was IN
evitable. The Associated Press bulletin an"
nouncing the reply Of Spain was read with much