The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-01

long as the conclusion finally reached
brings the termination of the war and
Cuban independence.
Never before until now has the SPAN
ish government, even for a moment,
entertained such a proposition. Now,
in the stress of the present emergency
with declarations of war introduced in
the American congress, Spain has re-
luctantly consented to consider them.
This in itself has given lively hope of
satisfactory results. But it involves
| a grave crisis in Spain and it cannot
| be foretold what the final action at
! Madrid will be. Until today, it was be
lieveid that Spain would indignity re-
! ject a proposition involving the in
| dependence of Cuba, or American in
tervention or the disappearance of the
| Spanish flag from the island, either
| through purchase by Cubans or cher
wise. There was the best of reason
| for the official belief that as between
! peace and war on these propositions,
| Spain would chose war, but more hope
| apparently is entertained here Cf Spain
| being in a yielding mood, aus the Amer
| ican plans for solution are being care
| fully weighed with view to a final de-
| cisiOn. AS stated, that answer is be-
| lieved to Ibe only a questi of perhaps
| two or three days. When it is received
| the future course of this government
| will be determined 1t is the view of
| the administration that the present
week will shape the policy of the fu-
| ture, whether it is to be one of peace
| or one of war.
| Many representative men of con-
! gress-senators and representatives
; called at the White house today and
conferred with the president To the
| leaders in congress he stated that the
! definite results were expected from
, Madrid by Friday. This served to al
| lay the intense feeling which has been
manifested in congress, and Through
the influence of the leaders, further
radical action by the senate and house
! of Representative has fO- the time DE
ing been deferred.
EXCITEMENT AT THE CAPITOL.
| At the capitol excitement was un-
! ajbated. After the vote ON the Bailey
! resolution many republicans went to
{ THE White house to confer with the
!, president and to express to him their
E.ope that something might be promised
! which would relieve the strained situa-
! tiOn. The assurance of the president
was given to these members that by
| Friday night at the latest something
! definite could be expected.
The situation at the capitol is one of
! waiting expectancy. Senators and
! representatives are willing ito give the
| president an opportunity to carry out
/ his plans, but there is impatience ito
! have some Information regarding these
plans and some assurances that they
| will not delay action too long.
! NO AID FROM OTHER MONARCH
{ Hes
/ 1t was stated today in a high diplo-
matte quarter that the Spanish govern
ment, Within the last ten days had ad-
dressed a note ITO the great powers OF
Europe, fully setting forth the grave
aspect of the controversy with the
United States and at last inferenItally
/ suggesting that THE time was now op-
| portune European influences to be ex-
| erted. 1t is said that the note led to
! the utterances of Premier HanOtauX in
the French chamber last Saturday, and
! has been the cause of the activity OF
! European countries during tie last few
| days in connection with IS SpaniSh-AHner
| ican affairs. Up ITO the present time
| however, no actual step toward medi-
! tation or intervention has been taken
! 10y any of the great powers, although
| there is little dOu bt that France stands
! ready to take the initiative if There is
the slightest evidence that the United
Safes government Will view such q
move with favor.
"A tender of good officers is cna of the
last resorts of diplomacy, when al
other means of avertng war seem to Zoe
! at am end. There is additional diff.
Guilty from the fact that when two ma.
tiOnS are involved in a crisis amy eX.
ternal influence may be resented as ar
intrusion. There is reason to believe
that the French authorities are fully
conscious of these delicate and diff
cult phases, and that no step will bt
made unless it is clearly apparent il
| advance that the United States desire:
the friendly offices of other nations
THE Spanish government has earnest
ly hoped Within the last week tha'
some of the European powers, ant
more likely Austria or France, woult
take the initiative without waiting tt
! consult tine desires of this gOvernm emit
This hope has proved vain however
and IT is stated today in high authortt
that recent negotiations in Europ.
have disclosed positively that while tn
| sympathy of some OF the continental
powers was toward Spain, no one o
them stood ready to espouse her cause
by meditation or by arms.
SECRECY AS TO WAR PREPARIA
TTONS
The greatest secrecy prevails in man!
| of the bureaus of the war and navy de
| partmentS In regard ito the various pro
jects of defence and naval movements
now going ON and tine officials in man.
| cases positively refuse to make publi,
steps that have been determined upon
The most notable instance Of this kim
probably is in the navy department
where Captain Crowninsflfeld, OF ths
bureau of navigation, has issued al
order forbfdding subordinates to MAKE
public amy information except ON per
mission from himself.
SITUATION IN MADRID CRITICAL
| Madrid, March 30.-While the situa
tion here is outward1y Of the calmes
description the actual position Of affair