The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-18

Proverbially Slow, but Delay Will Not
BE Tolerated Now.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-[Special. i
These are exciting days in the national
capital. 1t is felt here, as it is everywhere
In the country and throughout the world
that the issue of war or peace is to be de-
cided within few weeks. The first test
Is to come over SPANS reception of our
demands for reparation for the Maine dis
hster. Every one understands that Presi-
dent Mckinley will make these demands
within week or ten days at the furthest.
They will be sharp and strong justified
by the nature of the report of the court of
inquiry. How will Spain receive these
demands? What will be her method and
her attitude? Herein lies the crux of the
situation.
If we may Judge by SPANS record and
her usual method of treating such ques-
tions the president will have need of all
his firmness and wits. Unless Spanish
diplomacy has been born again the Madrid
government will at once seek delay. Pro-
crastination was born in Spain. An effort
will also be made to becloud the issue, to
raise doubts as to the correctness of the
finding of our court. Already the Spanish
authorities have begun their task. They
are willy and forehanded. They have de-
clared the Maine was blown up by acct
dent, originating within the ship. They
are apparently preparing to attack the re-
port of our court and to secure delay for
further investigation.
Immediate Action Wanted.
Here will come season Of trial for the
president. The American people are in no
mood to await Spain slothful methods of
arriving at an answer to our demands
The people will want an immediate reply,
and till they get 1t the newspapers will be
filed with talk of war and perhaps with
criticisms upon the administration for per-
hitting things to drift along.
But am informed by member of the
cabinet that President Mckinley Is deter
mined to tolerate no delay. Under ordi-
nary circumstances, with question pend
ing between the two governments, Spain
would be entitled to a reasonable time in
which to prepare her reply to our demands.
She is entitled to a reasonable time under
the abnormal circumstances which now
exist, but that time is very short. What
are the facts9 Children of ours went to q
neighbours house on friendly errand.
While there they were foully murdered I'M
der circumstances which place direct re-
sponsibilty upon our neighbor, who pro-
fesses friendship for us. Members of his
official family or employees or retainers Of
his did the deed. We demand apology and
reparation. If, now, our neighbor hag-
giles, procrastinates, delays, questions the
accuracy of our findings, brings in counter
claims or In any way attempts to evade,
our patience quickly comes to an end.
Spain may ask for an independent or
neutral investigation. If granted, that
would consume months. And after a
court of inquiry made up Of British,
French, German and other naval experts
had reported, IL their decision were against
the Spanish, then Spain might ask for ar
bitration as to the damages. But am
assured that our government will not toll
crate delay. 1t will have no international
or neutral court of inquiry. We will stand
by the record and finding Of our own
court. We will have no arbitration as to
the facts or us to the damages.
An Ultimatum.
I am told President Mckinley will in
form Spain mt tie outset that her respon-
sibility for tho Maine disaster must be
promptly and fully met. 1t will not be
necessary for him to issue public ulti-
matum, to say in SO many words that n
reply must be received within five days or
ten days, though even this drastic course
may be adopted. II 1t is adopted, the
heinous nature of the wrong inflicted upon
us by Spanish hands and SPANS rcputa-
tiou as haggling, evasive, unsatisfactory
neighbor will justify 1t. But II the presi-
dent concludes not to issue q public ulti-
matum, which might stir Spanish pride
and make 10 the moro difficult for the gov
eminent at Madrid to comply with our de-
mands, an ultimatum will be issued In
effect just the same. Instead of being
publicly made It will DO expressed diplo-
matically, orally, through General Wood
ford. In substance 1t will be: Spain, you
must pay and apologize within % many
days on most serious CONSCIOUSNESS will fol-