The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01
Especial to The Atlanta Journal.

Especial to The Atlanta Journal
Washington, March 3l.-Scnators
| and Representatives whose positions de-
| mnnd that they should know tho truth
| OF this Cuban crisis, state today that
there Is no longer an honest hope en-
tcrtaincd by any one informed rs to the
situation that the reply from Spain to
| the presidents ultimntum will be salts
! factory.
1t is intimatcd that the character Of
the reply which is expected layc this
evening or tomorrow has already been
indicated. Unless Spain shall shift
| position at the last minute II dccluru-
tion of war is expected by congress on
| Monday or Tuesday.
President Mckinley not only nntic:-
patcs an adverse reply from Madrid, but
has given notice to the members of his
cabinet to be prepared for any cmer-
gcncy.
The President informed the Rcpub-
licnn leaders who called on him this
morning that by Monday at the latest
for their final appeal and settlement.
Although Sagasta has asked for
| twcnty-four additional hours to the
sixty first stipulated in which to reply,
which request was granted, his res, onsc
is hourly expected Ut the White House.
There is solcmnity about the old
mansion today that forcb0dcs evil.
| The correspondents have been asked
not 10 stand ON tho portico, and if it is
necessary to enter tho building TO go
straight To the "0om assigned to them.
| Tho employees speak in whispers and
there is an awcd aud ominous silence
pcrvnding the atmosphere.
| One not knowing the great events Of
State which are trunspiring might east
| ~ imagine that some member of the
Presidents family lay ut the point of
| death.
! Congress, respecting the armisticc
| declared, with the President is waiting
with batcd breath for tho final act to
| open.
| There is no delay. All connected
with the administration are firm The
last Official note has been addressed to
the Queens government.
Should Spain plead for moro time it
will not be granted.
| 1t is stated on excellent authority and
confirmed and supported by other au.
| thority, which should be accepted as
worthy Of all confidence, that the Pres
ident intends to send in II message to
Congress on Monday contemplating
| war.
The statement made was that he
would recommend Il declaration of war.
1t is hardly safe, however, to say at
this time that he will make the recon-
mcndation in exact terms. But the
message to be sent in, unless thcrc is
some sudden and unexpected change
IN tho situation, will at least contcm-
| plate course by Congress which in all
human probability will mean war.
Information today is that the demand
| by this government for the independ-
onco of Cuba is not considered on any
payment of money to Spain by any one,
but that Spain is to be given AZ oppor-
tunity to make terms for money con-
sidcration is not, however, to re-
suit In any modification of tho demand
by this government.
The President said to senators and
representatives who approached him:
| 'If do not succeed in freeing Cuba
by Monday, | will ask Congress to de.
clare Cuba free"
| Private adviccs have been sent to
| Consul General Lee to advise Amcri-
cans to quit entirely the shores of Ha-
vana The consul general will remain
| until the end, or rather until the be-
ginning.
In case of open hostilitics, the navy
department stands ready to strike the
first blow 10 head off the Spanish no-
tilla. If simple independence is rccog-
nilcd, time might bc secured by Spain
| to land her lotiIla, 1t is the consensus
| OF opinion here now that the llotilla
| must not be permitted in striking dis.
tance, which fact may be an additional
reason for u declaration of war, instead
merely Of independence.