New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-31
FOR SPAIN TO DECIDE.
A CRISIS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS CLOSE
AT HAND.
PEACE OR WAR MAY HANG ON THE DECISION
or THE CABINET COUNCIL IN MADRID
To-DAY-NO OFFER OF MEDIATION
YET MADE BY ANY EU-
ROPEAN POWER

ROPEAN POWER
WASHINGTON. March 3O.-The vital point Of the
Cuban situation has shifted itself from Washing
ton to Madrid. where the Spanish Government
Is now giving grave and earnest consideration
, to propositions presented by the Government or
the United States. On the answer to these prop
ostions probably depends the future course OF
the relations between the two countries IL is
believed that it is now only question OF an ex-
ceedingly short time before the inevitable crisis
must come The Spanish Ministry will hold
Cabinet Council ton after the propositions
have been submitted to the Queen Regent. and
as a result Of that conference II is expected by
the Administration that definite answer TO us
proposals will be received. The propositions sud-
rnittod by this country contemplate a complete
and immediate cessation Of hostilites in Cuba,
the return Of the reconcentrados to their usual
avocatiOns, ana the independence OF CUBA ths
last feature to be secured probably on the basis
OF an indemnity by whcn the island would pay
a substantial sum for lis freedom from Spanish
rule
A PLAIN STATEMENT TO SPAIN.
These propositions take a wide scope, and
there are many details in the alternative propo-
sitons. the purpose being TO present every pos
sinle plan promising a solution Of the CnbaH
! problem so long as an md of the war ana ind'-
| pendcDcN were cmbOGleQ IT the ultlild0V i~'"'''
II has been made perfectly clear to Spain tho:
nothing less than a close Of the war ana the
independents OF the island will suffice as an
! adeoua,e settlement Such lesser methods as
have been contemplated from time TO time are
| nov, put aside for these more advanced and
| positive positions il IS now for Spain to accept
/ or reject these tenders. There Is no disposition
| TO urge one rather than another 50 long as the
| conclusion finally reached brings The termih'-
ton Of the war and Cuoan independence
Never un;N now has the Spanish Government
o,or fo~ noiner. entertained such PROPOSE
/ lions Nov. II the stress OF the present ehler-
ccncy win declarations of war lntrocu'ed III
! the American Congress. Spain has reluctantly
consented 10 cons der their. This In Nse'l mas
| given strong hone Of satisfactory results but
/ il involve. IA grave crisis in Spain ana II can
not be foreto.l what the final action at Madrld
| viii bs.
! Until to-day 1t was believed that Spain wou'n
,r6icrautlv reject n proposition involving the in
| derendouco OF cuba o. American intervention or
! the disapreararcc Of the Spanish flag from the
island. either through purchase by the CupanS
or otherwise There was the best reason Tor 'he
Official belief that ~ between peace and war OF
these propositions Spain would choose war Dut
more hope apparently is entertained hef" oI
| Soain being in a yielding mood, as the American
mans fo~ solution are being carefully welghed
| with a view 20 a final decision. AS stated mat
answer IS believed to be only question OF per-
l. nc two or three DAYS When i: g received the
! future course or tAi. Government VIII be deter
o,incd II is the view Of the Administration
that the present week will shape the policy Of
| the future whether it IS to be peace or war.
CONFEPEECFs AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Natura"y this critical junctu:e has occa'
dad -ifh
no little excitement as word was passed about
! tina the last stage in the negotiations with
Spain was reached. Many representative men
! o. Conpress Senators ard Representatives,
crl.,j a. the Whit Ho,.se and conferred with
j tn, President TO the leaders in ConG-ess he
| sa,; that defnit, results We're expect from
Madrid by Friday. This served to aliay the
! interse feeling which had beer manifested in
Congress. and through the influence Of the lead
crs further radical action by the Senate and
| House was TO- the time being deferred
At the CapitOi excitement was unabated. The
/ meeting Of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations occasioned great interest. because OF
! the man. wa,lke resolutions which were in
| troduced yesterday and refe:+ed to that com =
rttce on the House side there was ar in
1cngitv Of feeling After the vote on the Bailey
| resolution many Republicans went to the White
| House to confer with the President. and to cX-
press to him their hope that something might
! be promised which woad relieve the strained
eittiation an assurance was given to these
members that by Friday night at the latest
something definite could be expectet.
The Foreign Relations Committsa held an
! afternoon session az which Commander Brad
ford. chief Of the Bureau Of Equipmen: Of tn
| Navy presented his knowledge Of the relative
strength If The Spanish and United States
III ,1xt ft,cit1 tat ft fhQ ma in
subject undor discussion. which was the value
Of the island Of -. Thomas or some other point
n the West Indies .or a naval station.
Ths situation at the Capitol IS one Of waiting
oxuecia-cy. Senator's and Representatives are
Wn}icc 10 give the President an opportunity to
! ca.ry out his plans. but there is impatience 10
have some information regarding those plans
and some assurances that they will not delay
J action go long.
SPAIN SOUNDING THE POWERS.
II was assorted to-day in 4 high diplomatic
quarter that the Spanish Government within the
/ last ten days had addressed a note 10 the great
Powers Of Europe. fuzzy setting forth the grave
aspeot Of the controversy with the United States
! ard AZ least rferentially suggesting that the
time was now oppoltune for European influences
T. be oxerted II is said that this note led TO the
/ utterances OF Premier Hanotaux in the French
/ chamber last Saturday, and has been the cause
( of the activity a. European capitals within the
last few days ir connection with Spanish-Ameri-
can affairs Up TO tho present time, however,
. 10 actual step toward mediation or intervention
has been taken ~ any Of the great Powers, al
/ though there IS little doubt that France stands
ready to take the initiative If there IS the slight
/ est evidence that the United States Government
viii view such a move with favor.
The French Ambassador at Washington NJ.
! Cambon has received no definite instructions
directing him 10 tender the tood Offices OF
/ I,ro,,. Al the same time the Ambassador.
! akin his cue from the remarks of Premier
/ TJanofaux has called on Judge Day and has
! eaid ttaf II this Government at any time feels
! ,hat "a. French Government san aid in ending
tho nrosent grave crisis and maintaining peace