Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-04-05
HIS LAST HOPE GONE.
President Mckinley Said to Con-
tidently Expect War.
SPANS REPLY is UNSATISFACTORY.
No Further Proposals to BE Made
Message to BE Sent to Congress-
Spanish Torpedo Flotilla Ar
rives ut Porto Rico.


bers of his cabinet now regard con-
fict with Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message to congress, which in all
probability will be sent in next Mon
day, and certainly early next week, it
is understood that the president will re-
view at some length the record as 1t
stands between this government and
Spain, but will not insist upon further
time in which to continue negotia-
tions looking TO a peaceful solution of
the Cuban problem.
Spatn's Answer Unsntisfactory.
The cabinet meeting Friday morning
was unquestionably the most impor-
tant held in many years. 1t received
Spain's answer to the ultimatum of this
government, and, finding it unsatisfac-
tory, practically decided upon policy
which at this hour seems certainly to
involve hostilities. The whole record
will be laid before congress, and the
question is now under earnest consid-
Grafton of what shall be the partic-
ular form our policy shall take in bring
ing to an end the horrors in Cuba and
securing the independence of the
island. Propositions ranging from a
simple recognition of Cuban independ-
ence to straight-out declaration of
war have been urged at the capitol, but
there is hardly a doubt that the major
ity of congress await the executives
lead before taking action, and is dis
posed to adopt Mr.. McKinley's sugges-
ton on this point. 1t is thought that
any of the resolutions, except possibly
simple recognition of independence,
would lead to war.
No Offer of Mediation.
There were, of course, all sorts of ru-
mors in circulation including reports
of mediation by some European pow
ers, but no such suggestion has come to
this government, for as late as five
o'clock in response to direct question
Assistant Secretary Day said that there
had been no offer of mediation by any
foreign government.
a Talks of the Meetings.
One member Of the cabinet, in speak
ing of the meetings Friday, spoke sub
stantially as follows:
"In the morning 1t was apparent to all
of us that having exhausted all diplomatic
efforts to bring about better condition Of
affairs In Cuba, and they having failed, the
whole question must be submitted to con-
gress. At our afternoon meeting the presl-
dent requested each member of the cab
met to express freely his individual opin-
ion as to what should be done. The dis
cussion was entirely on the lines indi-
Gated by the members. Nothing definite
was decided upon and no conclusions
he yx,iN
views submitted to him under consideration
preparatory to his message to congress
which will be sent early next week Pres
ident Mckinley has done great deal Of
work recently, and appears pretty well ia
tigued. Consequently, he will take some
little rest before beginning active work on
the message. He has not yet decided uuon
what Recommendation will be communi-
Gated to congress.
Little Faith in Spatn.
MY own individual opinion is that but
little faith can be put In promises made
by Spain, and this makes me hesitate
about accepting with any confidence her
latest proposals. In the first place, she
promised long time ago that the recon-
centrados would be released The result
shows that this promise has not been kept,
NOW she proposes to release them but keep
them under military supervision. Who can
Tell whether she will adhere to this ex.
pressed intention?
Three Courses Open.
Broadly, there appears to be three
courses open to the president In dealing
further with this matter The first Of these
IS to accept the proposals submitted by
Spain In reply to the American representa-
tions, the second to relegate the whole mat
ter to congress and let that body do as It
sees proper-which think would mean In
tervention-and, thirdly, to take a middle
stand. But, as said before, nothing has
yet been determined upon by the president.
or, II he has reached decision, he did NOT
communicate 1t to the members Of the cab
met this afternoon.
Yes, reference was made by Spain TO
the Maine matter in the reply she sent
through Minister Woodford. She made no
oner to pay for the loss, but suggested that
the matter be settled by arbitration So
Tar az ! recall she expressed no regret for
the sad occurrence, and the whole thing
was regarded as cold-blooded statement"
The second session of the cabinet
lasted from five o'clock till $40.
The Issue Made UP.
The Spanish minister called at the
state department at 4:3o o'clock D. m.
and was in conference with Judge Day
for some time. Although there was the
strlctest reserve as to what had oc-
CURED, it can be stated positively that
the United States submitted no fur
ther propositions, nor did the Spanish
minister offer anything which changed
the situation of affairs. Both sides re-
gard the issue as made up, with no like
lihood of further negotiations between
now and the time when the president
will submit the whole case to congress.
The United States has presented its de-
mand and Spain has given her answer.
Thus the case stands. While this brings
halt to the active negotiations which
have been in progress for the last few
days, it does not mean that diplomatic
relations between the Two countries are
terminated, for such step is the last
preliminary before an actual state of
war. United States Minister Woodford
remains at his post at Madrid and is
said to be entirely safe from harm. The
Spanish minister, Senior Polo Bernabe,
also remains at his post at Washing
ton.
From the Spanish standpoint there
is the same disposition as that shown
. by the authorities here, to regard the
issue as made up. The answer of Spain
is looked upon as the limit of conces-
sion which Madrid will grant. If there
Is to be another move, the Spanish goy-
ernment looks to the United States to
make 1t. This at least is the situation
as it presents itself to those best in
formed in Washington. OF course 1t
cannot be foretold what Madrid will do
E H,, n