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

drR impression conveyed Dy cdUlI1eL o.
fidkrs after the special cabinet session
TN same sentiment characterized the
di Gomatic conferences ait the state de-
pal But In congress-, which af-
for4ed the greatest field for ~aTBci-Spatn-
iSh Ewarlike expressions, a strain of
discbntent and uneasiness prevailed AFT
ter the presidents message and n
tLine report was submitted, especial
on the house side.
The presidents message. submitting
the Maine report n accompanying
evidence was the main event of the
day. Those VINO had anticipated that
THE message would contribute TO the
aggressive spirit were disappointed
SPANISH DIPLOMACY AGAIN WINS
"A special cabinet session was held -
go over the presidents message, c l
more particularly to consider tine Ge-
velopments in the negotiations now
proceeding with Spain. These have as
stunned a wide field, embracing not only
the Maine question, but the entire Gu
ban problem. The answer of Spain
was in hand. to the firm note sent
through Minister Woodford last week,
stating that the condition of Cuban af-
fairs had become so intolerable that
the United States could not much long
er remain inactive toward it The gen.
eral tone of tine Spanish answer i'm
pressed the president n cabinet Off
GERS most faVorably, 81 much so that
after the meeting it was stated by
members that the outlook was far more
assuring and that Spain had shown
such a c~onciliatory tone that 1T was
believed she would make concessions
sufficient to permit an amicable adjust
ment. OF the present strained relations.
This was qualified, however, by the
statement THAT the danger point has
mot yet passed, and that war, while
no longer a probability, was yet a pos
sibility.
Meantime, at the state department,
cablegrams were being received from
Minister WoodfOrd. and the Spanish
minister, Senor Polo y Bernabe. was
in lengthy conference with Judge Day
as to the prospective adjustment. This
meeting TIVE the Spanish minister
andJudge Day came after the cabinet
conference, SO that such representation
as Spain submitted through him did
not get before the cabinet. AIT beast
two of these new phases submitted by
the minister We're of exceeding impOT-
itance, The Spanish government made
it known that no objection would he
made to the humanitarian objects of
the United States government in ex-
tending relief to the sufferers in Cuba,
on "a far greater scale than hitherto
had beer contemplated. On THE con-
trary, Spain has made KNOWN that it
recognizes the human purposes ami
mating this country and that it does
not doubt that these purposes will be
executed i'm such a way as to avoid
all opportunities for friction.
TT IS NOT EXPECTED THAT THE
R1EJLIT1F WILL BE CLARIFIED TN
WAfRSHTPS, AS THIS WOULD IN
TRODUCE A POLITICAL ASPECT
INTO A PROJECT WHICH is PURE
LY HUMANE.
This acquiescence by Spain clears the
way for the presidents message of the
next few days, asking a Large appro-
priation for the relief of destitution
i'm Cuba.
Another important Spanish document
which reached the government during
THE day was the abstract of the report
of the Spanish naval commission which
~investig gated the destruction of the
Maine. ut is the only answer Spain
has thus far made to the action of this
government I'M submitting ito Spain
through Minister Woodford, THE find
ings Of the American court. The con-
illusions reached by the Spanish COM
mission are directly the opposite of
those of the American curt.
NC DEMANDS HAVE BEEN Made
IN CONNECTION WITH THE
MAINE, AMID THEREFORE, THERE
us NO RESPONSE BEYOND THE
SUBMISSION OF THE SPANISH
REPORT.
Following the call of the Spanish
minister ait the state department., the
French ambassador. M. Cambon, had a
conference with Judge Day. This re-
newed the talk of European media
rtiOn, Which is assuming tangible form.
There is good reason to ibelieve Spai
is ready and anxious for this move,
and has been encouraging ut at the Eu
rCpean capitals.
AT the wan and navy departments
the stir. of preparations continued as
usual. The navy department. made
plans for a mosquito fleet to be COM
posed of tugs and steam yachts recent
ly purchased and armed as an auXili-
airy fleet. The wal department made
numerous shifts i'm the ocation of
troops in the west, with a view to their
speedy concentration.
General Flagler, the chief of ordnance
of the war department., awarded ito a
number of companies contracts for
furnishing the department with disap-
peaTing carriages for the 8, 10 and
12-inch gums, emplacements for which
are now being constructed at the sea-
coast Qualifications
"A REBELLIOUS MOVE IN CON-
GRESS.
After the adjournment of the house
today there was considerable discus
sion over a proposed consolidation of
the forces in the house who favor some
form of immediate action on the Cuban
tissue. There was a StSong feeling
shown over the avoidance in the mes
sage of amy outline of a definite add
ministration policy and a decided dis
position apparent mot to AWAIT any
further delay nor resort to temporizing
measures.
The project to furnish ad libitum re-
lief supplies to the Cuban nOn-combat-
ants is meeting with opposition to
which members on both sides Of the
house have given voice in private dis
cussion, on the ground that, first, Spain
alone lis responsible for the conditions
on the island. and. second, the extend
ing OF such large and probably contin
ued aid abroad is unjust to the people
of this country. The steps taken today
on this line were of an informal ma
: ture. Representative Hull, of Iowa,
chairman of thee house committees on