The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-09
ON THE BRINK OF WAR
NO CHANGE IN THE SITUATION
FOR THE BETTER
The Members of the Cabinet Regard
HostiIities Within a Few Days as
Assured-OnIy an Abject Surren-
der on the Part of Spain Can
Preserve Peace, and That Is Not
Expected.

WASHINGTON, April S.-Good Fri
hay passed in Washington with not a
ripple on the surface, either ait the
White house or the capitol, to show
that the United States is on the brink
of war. Both houses of congress had
adjourned until Monday and at the eX-
ecutive mansion there was no rush of
eager and excited public men, but a
= Sunday quiet atmosphere.
At only the war and navy depart
ments were there signs of an impend-
ing conflict in the rush of immediate
orders to a host of naval officers to re-
port at once for duty on vessels to
which they were assigned and in con-
ferences among bureau chiefs on de-
tails of war preparations.
And yet the resolve was firmer than
ever that unless Spain yielded TO
Americas Cuban demands the United
States by force of arms would move
OH Havana 1t was the very recognl-
ton of the fiXity of this purpose that
caused the day to be in marked con-
= trast to the excitement of all its pre-
decessors of late. There was still some
discussion of Cuban affairs, but 1t only
served to emphasize 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 dominion, but the obl1ga-
tions and duties that might be impoS=
ed upon the United States after we
had expelled Spain from the island.
This discussion reVolVed around two
. propositions, namely Intervention With
out recognition of national indepen-
dence of the Cuban insurgents, and IN
tervention with concurrent recognition
of the independence of the present
Ins,-rgent government of Cuba.
me public men hovered between
thee two propositions and favored a
co, promise There was no definite
lead by which it could be stated with
any thing like authoritiveneSs, which
course would be adopted, but the un-
settled state of public opinion on the
matter indicated that events OF the
next few days, the strength OF the
arguments of the forthcoming Dresl-
Dental message or distinct utterance
from our consul general to Cuba, might
he strong enough to incline the balance
to either course.
War the Outcome.
The cabiret held it's usual Friday
session. but its meeting brought no
change in the Spanish situation. In
deed it was chiefly significant in es-
tablishing that no change had occur
red, that none was expected, and that
the programme of action on the part
of the United States government was
already made up. The presidents
message remains unaltered, and, this
being the last cabinet day before the
message will go to congress, alterations
are unlikely between now and Monday,
barring altogether unexpected deVel-
opments 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 considered,
and all causes for delay having been
removed.
The ca!mness of the cabinet meeting,
which was one of the most uneventful
held in recent days, was another evil
dence of the feeling entertained by the
administration that the case Is made
up, and that nothing now remains to
be done but to present the subject to
congress and await the final outcome
there.
There is now no difference of opinion
among members of the cabinet on the
question of the final issue of the pres
ent complications. All agree that war
apparently Is unavoidable.
The view 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 would be done in the cause of
peace.
What is going on in Madrid gives
Slight hope of such concessions there
as will alter the present situation.
There are no negotiations in the sense
of exchanges. on pending propositions.
Both parties apparently have said
their last word concerning the respect
i've propositions. Certainly this is true
as to the United States, and there were
no evidences today that the Spanish
government would recede. 1t is even
armistice by Spain would be sufficient
at this late moment to turn the situa
non into peaceful channels.
Lees Recall.
Preparations for all eventualities are
being hurried to completion. Cen Lee
VIII leave Havana tomorrow. probably
on the small naval vessel Fern now
In Havana Harbor although it was
said at the state department that he
might take one of the Plant line steam
ers' AT that time the United States
consuls and most Of the United States
citizens residing in Cuba would be ont
of the island
Ofnclal reports received here todav
stated that large numbers Of Americans
were leaving on the ! sHeral steamers
from Havana and other ports Entire
quiet has prevailed there I'D to this
time.
The United States consul at Porto
Rico is also preparing to leave. No
instructions, 1t is stated definitely.
have been sent to Minister Woodford
concerning his withdrawal from Mad
rlu, bhat being left to his discretion
The prospects of his withdrawal have
peen fully considered, however. and there
is reason to believe that in the event
or ms retirement the British ambassa-
dor at Madrid will look after America n
interests and afford protection to such
americans as remain in Spain. This.
1t is stated In authoritative quarters
is part of comfy between the United
States and Great Britain, and recipro-
Gates the action of the United States
government in affording prot ection to
British subjects on a former occasion.
Inc Spanish minister at Washington
has received no Instructions as to his
departure, nor has he made prepara-
tions to go, although his establishment
is IN such a condition that he could
leave within few hours after receiv-
ing orders from his government to de-
part.
AS an evidence of the complete cessa
tlon or negotiations it can be cited that
today closed the seventh consecutive
DAY since the Spanish minister called
at the state department.
War Preparations,
War preparations are proceeding sys-
tematically, but the larger details of
preparation have been shaped and
there is little more to do than to see
these regularly executed. While there
are many naval movements. there hos