The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-29
Waiting for the Next Move.

terday's yellow features. Inere
was nothing in IT: the report
was that the Spanish government had
accepted the agreement of the United
States TO submit to arbitration the
question of ending the Cuban war and
that an armistice had been declared
until october. 1t is difficult to discover
any feature in the case that could
possibly bring about a situation that
might properly be described as an
"armistice." but that is neither here
nor there-the whole story was an in
vention. 1t was sprung. undoubtedly,
to start a furry in the stock market.
and il worked that way for a few min
utes.
Yesterday the senate and house re-
ceived from the president the report
of the court of inquiry. In 1t is moth
ing that is new-the facts are those
that had already reached the readers
of the Standard through the press
service. Monday was. in fact, a day OF
formalities in congress-, but the days
of this week will lead to a discussion
along which there will be a lining up
of public opinion. not about the Maine
but about Cuba: 1t is certain that the
sentiment is soon to reach the public
from members of that, while
| they are in full accord with the plan
| of making the Maine tragedy a minor
issue and while they are glad to help
the starving Cubans to food, they Will
not travel with the administration II
| it's policy Is TO be one of long delay in
| the assertion of the proposition that
the conditions in Cuba must end speed
iIy with the absolute release of the isl
and from SPANS sovereignty.
That is the conclusion the American
people have r~eached-there can be nc
well-founded doubt about IL. Thus faI
the people are in accord with the ad
m~inistration. and unquestionably the
spirit Of loyalty tn those i'm power WI
continue-we must not be demanding
undue haste. At the same time, II II
administration circles the point j
reached where anything short o
SPANS retirement from cuba for goo'
and all is assented to, the point WI
then have been reached where. as ia
as public opinion is concerned, tn
president will not be the leader of tn
American people.
The idea is abroad that Spain Is pre-
pairing to propose that she will max
everything pleasant for the Cuban:
She will stop numbering n starVin
them; she will withdraw her forces
she will still hold Cuba but II shall b
a gentle hold; she will give them yer
large liberties; she will make them.
fact, as good as free. That arrange
ment will not work. and the reaso
for that is that the Cubans won't Il
1t work. They ave reached the poir
and place where they propose to b
free. and they intend to survive or pei
ish on that proposition. They hav
come up to their present hour throug
such a frightful baptism of blood an
of suffering and of Spanish horror
that II denied independence, they al
not willing, in the %parlance OF u
American politician, To accept an II
definite something that is alleged
J be equally as good.
ManlltStiy, all NV fN'b'N
: country. in absolute disregard of poll
zeal considerations, desire to sustai
President Mckinley in a prudent po
: icy that moves calmly and witho'
: prejudice and not too rapidly
right conclusions. But the public w
{ be very set in its opinions as to wh'
is meant by right conclusions; u
{ great body of citizenship In this coui
try is for a Cuba that is free-on TIL
! score there can no longer be douu
With a feeling of intense suspense, "
{ not at all of dread. the American pc
ple-the Maine issue being practical
set ~aside-await the presidents az
: vance to the real issue of the hour; an
this they do with a h~ope-rather wi
a reverent prayer-that he viii discei
{ the right and move in the direction 4
{ ward which this country's duty uner