The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-09

- ...
WASHINGTON, April S.-Good Fri
day passed In Washington with not
ripple on the surface, either at the white
house or the, capitol to show that tho
United States Is on the brink OF war.
Both houses OF Congress- had adjourned
until Monday and at the executive man
sion there was no rush OF eager and ex-
cited public men. but Sunday quiet at
mosphere. At only the war and navy
departments were there signs OF an i'm
pending conflict In the rush OF immedi-
ate orders to host nf naval officers to
report at once ;or duty on vessels to
which they were assigned and in con-
ferences among bureau chiefs on details
on war preparations.
AND YET. THE RESOLVE WAS
FIRMER THAN EVER UNLESS
SPAIN YIELDED TO AMERICAS
CUBAN DEMANDS. THE UNITED
STATES BY FORCE OF ARMS
WOULD MOVE ON HAVANA. IT
WAS THE VERY RECOGNITION OF
THE FIXITY OF THIS PURPOSE
THAT CAUSED THE DAY TO BE IN
MARKED CONTRAST TO THE EX-
CLEMENT OF ALL ITS PREDEcEs-
sORS OF LATE.
There was still some discussion OF Gu
ban affairs but It only served "a en-
phasize the fact that one forward step
OF immense Importance had been taken
for the discussion was OF an advanced
stage and concerned not intervention
and freedom OF Cuba from Spanish
domination, but the obligations and
United States after We have, expelled
Spain from the island. This discussion
revolved around two propositions, name
~ intervention without recognition Of
national independence Of the Cuban In
surgents, and intervention with concur
rent recognition Of the independence OF
the present insurgent government OF
Cuba. Some public men hovered be-
tween these two propositions and favor
5gtlsw0 0onpr-m1ise n here was no sdedplta
lead by which It could. be stated WITH
anything like authoritatlveness which
course would be adopted, but the unset-
tied state OF public opinion on the mat
ter indicated that events of the next
few days. the strength OF the arguments
OF the forthcoming presidential message
or distinct utterance from out consular
general to Cuba might be strong enough
to incline the balance to either course.
No Change Ia Situation.
The cabinet held its usual Friday scs-
sion, but its meeting brought no change
in the, Spanish situation. Indeed, 1t was
chiefly significant In establishing that
no change had occurred. that none was
expected. and that the programme OF ac-
tion on the part OF the United States
government was already made up. Tho
Presidents message remains unalterad,
and this being the last cabinet day be-
fore the message will SO 20 Congress,
alterations are unlikely between now
and Monday, barring altogether unex-
pected developments from Madrid.
After the meeting cabinet officers
stated that the message would be sent
TO Congress on Monday, no change In
that respect having been consldered,a and
all causes for delay having been re-
moved. The calmness OF the cabinet
meeting which was one Of the most un-
eventfui held in recent days, was an
other evidence of the feeling entertained
by the administration the case Is made
up and that nothing now remains 10 DO
done but to present the subject to Con-
gress and await the final outcome there.
The feeling that an end had come to
diplomatic talk, and that action alone
remained, was shared In all quarters.
including the foreign embassies and
legations, where the ambassadors and
ministers expressed the feeling that all
has been done In Washington that can
or will be done In the cause OF peace.
What Is going on at Madrid gives slight
hope Of such concessions there as will
alter the present situation. There are
no negotiations. In the sense OF ex.
changes, on pending propositions.
Both parties apparently have said
their las; word concerning the rcspec-
tive propositions. Certainly this Is true
as to the United States and there were
no evidences to-day that the Spanish
government would recede. It is even
doubtful whether concession OF an
armlstlce by Spain would be suillc!en, at
this late moment to turn the situation
Into peaceful channels.
Preparations FOR Evcntmuiitlc..
Preparations FOR all eventuallties arc
being hurried TO completion. General
Lee will leave Havana tomorrow. prob
ably on the small naval vessel, Fern,
now In Havana harbor. although /, was
said at the stnte department tg,at he
might take one OF the Plant line Of
s,eamcre. At that time also the other
United States consuls and most Of the
American citizens residing In Cuba, viii
be out OF the island. Official reports re-
cclved here to-day stated that large
numbers of Americans We're leaving on
the several steamers from Havana and
other ports. Entire quiet has prevailed
there up to this time. The United States
consul at Porto Rico is also preparing 10
leave. No Instructions, It Is stated dcO-
nltely, have been sent 10 Minister Wool
ford concerning his withdrawal from
Madrid, that being left to his discretion,
The prospects OF his withdrawal have
been fully considered, however, and
there Is reason to believe that In the
event Of his retirement the British am.
bassador a. Madrid will look after
American interests and afford protection
10 such Americana as rcnInin In Spain.
This, II ID stated Ii an authoritative
quarter, ts a part OF o comity between
the United SAtos and Great Britain anu
reclprocates the action OF tho United
States government In aftordng protec-
tIon TO British subjects on former oc-
casion. "a i5lst s, st f