The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-03


tween the United States and Spain re-
having any bearing upon the situation
have passed between this government
and Spain since last Thursday night.
when Minister Woodford transmitted
the reply of the Sagasta ministry to
the presidents proposition of two
weeks ago. Both governments appear
to accept this issue as made up and are
shaping their courses accordingly. This
being the case, the view is universally
entertained even by representative men
of the administration that congress,
upon receipt of the presidents message
early next week. will take action which
is is almost universally expected must
result in severance of the relations of
the two countries. This was in part
foreshadowed by the action of the sem
ate committee on foreign relations to-
day in agreeing to resolution recog-
nizing the independence of Cuba and
for armed Intervention IL necessary to
secure independence.
With the crisis so near at hand il is
believed that If any European inter-
vention or mediation is to come 1t will
within the next few days. 1t is said.
however, at the state department late
this afternoon that no offer of Euro
pean mediation had yet been officially
transmitted to this government. 1t was
the general understanding that friend
ly overtures of this nature were looked
for at almost any time from France or
Austria, and IL was reported during
the day that the presence in Washing
ton of Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop
Ireland was in connection with medi-
alton from Rome but IL was stated on
high authority at the state department
that no overtures of this character had
taken official form nor was the state
department advised that any such steps
were in contemplation. 1t is the un-
derstanding i'm official circles. based
upon information, that the recognition
of Cuban independence would not in it
self be regarded by Spain as a casus
belli. But at the same time there Is
little doubt that such recognition of
Cuban independence would be followed
by the withdrawal of the Spanish min
lister and his entire suite from Wash
ington and the termination of Spain's
diplomatic representation at Washing
ton. Such a thing is one of the last
steps preceding actual recourse to
war
1t is probable. however. that the
withdrawal of the Spanish minister fol-
lowing the recognition of independence
would not be such an indication of war
as ii would be an emphatic protest by
the Spanish government against the
recognition of the independence of a
colony over which Spain processes to
exercise complete sovereignty. AL
though this recognition of independ-
ence is not considered q casus belli by
which Spain could declare war yet IL
is believed in diplomatic circles such a
step would have consequences inevit-
ably terminating in war. For that rea-
son is recognition of independence
likely to be no less grave than inter-
vention.
The Spanish minister continues to
preserve his outward calm, although
he feels that the relations are extreme
ly strained and his stay in Washington
may not be long continued. To some
of his diplomatic associates who called
to-day. he said that his conscience was
perfertly clear, as he thought that
Spains cause was a just one, and for
this reason he felt no agitation. His
position is trying. however. as the |
Spanish legation has been subjected to |
a number Of petty indignities recently. |
These are of such petty character |
that they have not been called to the |
government officials attention, al |
though police officers were detailed TO
see that the offenses We're not con-
tinued and no acts of vandalism or per-
sonal indignity were committed
The state department to-day received
the full report Of the Spanish commits.
sion which investigated the destruction
of the battleship Maine. This docu-
ment has been expected for some days,
but IL was not until to-day that IL
reached Washington by a special mes |
senger from Havana. II proved to be a
most bulky and voluminous document.
The text as delivered is in Spanish. and |
IL will take time for the elaborate doc
ument to be translated. 1t covers at
least Is closely written pages Of Official /
paper double the size Of foolscap The |
associated press early in the week gave |
a complete and official synopsis of this |
Spanish report. the result Of which is I
that the explosion of the Maine oc- j
CURED inside of the ship. and no evil |
dence existed Of any exterior explosion |
Admiral Irwin to-day was among the |
witnesses before the senate committee /
on foreign relations which is making a /
inquiry into the Maine disas-
ter. His testimony was regarded as /
important in meeting the position of i