Evening journal., 1898-04-12

visers early in the day, but there was
no cabinet meeting. The message left
the White House shortly before noon in
order to reach congress promptly on its
assembling, and this done the president
joined his family at lunch with evident
satisfaction at having the tremendous
strain and burden Of recent days in
measure removed. There was an aspect
Of holiday gayety surrounding the
White House. as Easter Monday was
observed as usual by the eggrolling
gathering of thousands of children on
the grounds in the rear Of the execu-
tive mansion. The Marine band fur
nlshed music for the youngsters.
The effect of the message down town
was on the whole quieting Cabinet
officers of course expressed their COM
plete and most hearty approval of the
message. This view was reflected
throughout administration circles.
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo, re-
NAMED at the legation during the day
sending and receiving many dispatches
and conferring with his advisers. lie
cabled the entire presidents message
to Madrid except only the historical
references to General Grants message
Texas, etc. The minister said he must
decline to make the slightest public al
lusion to the presidents message, as
any remark from him would be incon-
sistent with his position. It is known
however, that Senior Polo Is keenly SEN
stve to the language of the message
What it's effect will be upon his serv-
ice here is not known. for no word has
yet come as to the effect Of the mes
sage upon the authorities at Madrid
Up to last night Senor Polo had re-
ceived no instructions TO withdraw, moi
was there any intimation Of such in
structions.
At the other embassies and legations
the message aroused the greatest inter
est. but It cannot be said that Il was
| received with satisfaction. At one of
the most important and most interest
ed foreign establishments the general
feeling was eXpr sssed by the state
ment that the pr asident had, through
his message. washed his hands Of the
subject and imposed the responsibility
upon the shoulders Of congress.
In other high diplomatic quarters
some question was expressed as TO that
| portion of the presidents message in
which he speaks in the name Of civiii-
cation of the duty Of stopping the war
in Cuba, and the intimation was made
that the great powers Of Europe, so far
as they represented civilization, did not
support this view expressed by the
president.
There has been no further general
| conference between the ambassadors
and ministers Of the powers, nor is
there any present indication Of further
action from that quarter. No new dip.
lomatic phases Of the question devel.
oped yesterday at the state department
Secretary Sherman said he would moi
be surprised If the Madrid cable report
proved true that Minister WoodforC
was about to leave Madrid. At th'
same time the state department wal
without advlces that this step actually
had been taken. General Lee IS eI
route here. and it is expected that hi
arrival will be the signal for a notable
demonstration.
The war and navy departments con
tinued their active preparations yester
day While eventualites are being pre-
pared for, the sentiment IN army ant
navy circles Is that war is not so i'm
minent as 1t seemed to be a few day
ago. II can be stated on authority tina
no consideration has yet been given L
the withdrawal of the United State
fleet at Key West, as the administrator
holds that the situation has undergon
no change which makes this withdraw
| | o1 oIyfca