The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-31
THE INEVITABLE CRISIS IS At HAND
President Mckinley Makes His
ernment-The Cessation of Hostilies
Independence of Cuba


relieve the strained situation. The as
surance of the president was given to
thsse memebers that by Friday night
at the latest something definite could be
expected. The senate committee had
nm extra session, at which Captain
Bradford, chief of the bureau of equip
ment of the navy. presented his knowl-
edge of the relative strength of the
Spanish and United States navies. This
proved only incidental to the main sub
ject under discussion. which was the
value of the island of st. Thomas or
some other point in the West Indies for
q naval station.
The situation at the capitol is one of
waiting and expectancy. Senators and
representatives are willing to give the
president an opportunity to carry out
his plans. but there is impatience to
hear these plans and many say they
will not delay action too long.
1t was stated to-day in a high di-
plomatic quarter that the Spanish gov
ernment within the last 10 days had
addressed a note to the great powers
of Europe, fully setting forth the grave
aspect of the controversy with the
United States, and at least inferential-
ly suggesting that the time was now
opportune for European influences to
be exerted. 1t is said that this note led
to the utterance of Premier Hanotaux
in the French chamber last Saturday
and has been the cause of activity at
European capitals within the last few
days in connection with Spanish
American affairs. Up to the present
time, however. no actual step toward
mediation or Intervention has been TAX
en- by any foreign power. though there
Is little doubt that France stands
ready to take the initiative if there is
the slightest evidence that the United
States government will view with IA
vor such move. The French ambas-
sador at Washington, NJ. Cambon. has
received no definite instructions direct
ing him to tender the good offices of
France. At the same time, the am
bassador, taking the cue from the re-
marks of Premier Hanotaux. has
called on Judge Day and has said that
If this government at any time feels
that the French government can aid in
averting the present crisis and main
tanning peace, he has no doubt that
France will readily undertake to exert
such good offices as will be acceptable
to both powers.
This, as stated, is not a formal ten
der by the French government. for as
yet the French ambassador has re-
ceived no positive Instructions, but 1t
clearly indicates the tendency and
willingness of France to act as media
tor in the present emergency at any
moment. 1t is probable that the sug-
gestions have not taken a more formal
form owing to the delicate character of
such overtures. A tender of good Of
fees is one of the last resorts of diplo-
macy, when all other means of avert
ing war seem to be at an end. There is
additional difficulty from the fact that
when two nations are involved in a
crisis any external influence may be re-
sented as an intrusion. There is reason
to believe that the French authority
is conscious of these delicate and diff
cult practices, and that no step will be
made unless it is clearly apparent in
advance that the United States desires
the friendly offices of other nations.
The Spanish government has earn
estly hoped within the last week that
some of the European powers. and more
likely Austria or France, would take
the initiative without waiting to con-
suit the desires of this government.
This hope has proved vain, however.
and il is said to-day on high authority
that recent negotiations in Europe have
disclosed positively that while the SYM
pathy of some of the continental pow
ers was toward Spain. no one of them
stood ready to espouse her cause by
mediation or by arms. Most has been
expected of Austria owing 10 the dy-
Spain.
Up to the present time, however Aus
tria has not felt ready to take the -
tiative. The report in Vienna last mig Il
that the Austrian minister, Ccynt Go
luchowski, had instructed the Austrian
representative at Washington to CO.
operate in the steps to be taken by
France. are not borne out by actual
developments which have thus far ocS
CURED here. The Austrian minister has
not been at the state department the
present week nor have any suggestions
in this line been received by the state
department from him. 1t is a passing
coincidence that the French ambassa-
dor. the Austrian minister and the
Spanish minister are more closely asso-
ciated together than any other diplo-
mats in the corps.
The greatest secrecy prevails in many
Of the bureaus of the war and navy
departments in regard to the various
projects Of defense and naval move
ments now going on, and the officials in
many cases refuse to make public the
steps that have been determined upon.
The most notable instance of the kind.
probably. is in the navy department.
where Colonel Crowninshield of the
bureau of navigation. has issued an
order for his subordinates not to make
public any Information except on per-
mission from himself. The order is as
fellows:
Officers. clerks and all employees of
the bureau are forbidden TO make pub
lie any Information concerning the
movements of ships. order to officers or
other official business OF the bureau,
except they have personal and explicit
permission from me-"