Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-11
SPA|N'S LATEST move
Offer Of an Armistice in Cuba
Makes No Change in the
Presidents Plans.
MESSAGE GOES IN TO CONGRESS
Containing Simply . Paragraph Stating
What Spain Proposes, with
No Recommendation.

NOte-History of Events at Madrid Lead.
ing Up to Its Dispatch to Our Govern.
ment-Statement That IL We Decline the
Propositions Europe Will Assist Spain
Openly-lnsurgents Will Not Accept,
Says Quesada-Lee at Home.
Washington, April 11.-At the close
last night of the second cabinet meet
ing it was announced that the presi-
dents message undoubtedly would go
to congress al noon today. On the best
authority obtainable it was stated that
the meeting was devoted wholly to the
sage necessitated by the receipt Of the
last note from Spain advising this gov
eminent Of the declaration of ar uncCn-
ditional armistice. The suffix to the
presidents message merely gives the
substance of the Spanish note and rec
ommends it to the earnest attention Of
congress" Otherwise the message
stands unchanged. After the meeting
one member of the cabinet said: 1T is
merely what Spain has been asking for
all along-more time. 1t does not touch
the situation, and the presidents mes
sage is left precisely as it was before,
merely stating the fact Of this last de-
relopment."
Pith of the Preside nt's Message.
Another member of the cabinet said.
after the meeting: Our meeting to-
night was for the final reading of the
message which will be sent to congress
tomorrow. 1t is a strong state paper.
and will contain a review of the condi-
tions existing in Cuba for years past.
There is no change in the tone Of the
message from that indicated in the
newspapers. The president will ask that
he be given authority to use the army
and the navy to bring about peace in
the island Of Cuba, and to insure there
stable government. An argument is
made against the recognition of indie
pendence of the insurgents for the rea-
son that there is lacking the essential
features of an independent people
There are quotations from one of the
former presidents, who argued against
the recognition of the Texans when in
rebellion against the Mexican govern
ment, and from the opinions expressed
by President Cleveland and Secretary
Olney.
Not Dealing; with the Insurgents.
$50 far as I am aware there has been
no suggestion made to the insurgents
by this government witha view to their
considering the proposition for an
armistice authorized by the Spanish
government. This government has new
er had anything to do with the gentle
men composing the Cuban junta in New
York. l do not think the armistice idea
will have the least effect on any action
that may be contemplated in congress-"
1t is said that some members of the
cabinet recommended further delay
simply to observe the practical effect
of the armistice, but they were out
voted by the majority, who thought the
president had waited long enough The
cabinet held two sessions yesterday
one at noon, before the Spanish note
was received, and enc at night to de-
eide what should be done about that
note.
Congress and the Diplomats.
The attitude Of congress on the gen.
eral subject is problematic, and it
remains to be seen whether the changed
conditions brought about by the armis-
tice will suffice to allay the war feeling.
In diplomatic circles it was felt that the
armistice at least gave time for calmer
counsels. The French ambassador saw
Archbishop Ireland, who was instru-
mental in securing the influence of the
pope, and Joined the archbishop in ex-
pressions of satisfaction. The British
government has been most active in
seeing that the action of the powers did
not assume a menacing attitude toward
the United States. but is hopeful that
the armistice will clear the way for a
fuller settlement of the general Cuban
question.