Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-29
MORE LIKE PEACE.
Tone OIL Things In Administration
Circles More ReasSuriDs.
SPAIN Is C0NCILIAr0RY.
She viii Not Object to Our Sending
Further Relief 10 Recenc,ntradoS.
TALK or EUROPEAN MEDIATION.
This Is Now Assuming Tangible
Form-spnnish Maine Report Re-
ccived at Washington-War Pre-
parations Continue.
SPAIN is CONCILIArORY.
TALK or EUROPEAN MEDIATION.

WASHINGTON, March 2s-To-day has
been one Of action in every branch of off,
cial life. Seldom has a day been replete
with so many diverse and important
phases of a single subject. and vet.
throughout this activity the prevailing
tone, as received from administration
sources, has been more reassuring, more
In the line Of peace, than II has been for
some days, This was the impression con-
veyed by Cabinet officers after the special
Cabinet session. The same sentiment
characterized the diplomatic conferences
AZ the State Department. But I'm Con-
gress. which afforded the greatest field
for anti-Spanish and warlike expressions,
a strain Of discomfort and uneasiness pre-
vailed after the Presidents message ana
the Maine report were submitted, espe-
cialiy on the House side.
The Presidents message, submitting the
Maine report and accompanying evidence,
was the main event of the day Those
who had anticipated that the message
would contribute TO the aggressive spirit
were disappointed. 1t contained no sur
prises.
A special Cabinet session was held 10
go over the Presidents message, and
more particularly to consider the devel-
opments in the negotiations now proceed
ing with Spain. These had assumed a
vide Held, embracing not only the Maine
question, but the entire Cuban problem.
Inc answer Of Spain was in hand TO the
firm note sent through Minister Woodford
last week. stating that the condition of
Cuban affairs lad become so intoierable
that the United States could not much
longer remain inactive toward 1t. The
tone Of the Spanish answer impressed
the President and Cabinet officers
most favOrably. so much so that
after the meeting 1t was stated
by members that the outlook was
far more reassuring. and that Spain had
shown such a concliatory tone that IT
was believed she would make concessions
SUFFICIENT to permit an amicable adjust
ment Of the present strained relations.
This was qualified however, by the state
ment that tire danger point had not yet
been passed. and that war, while no
longer probability was yet a possibility.
TWO NEW PRAISES.
Meantime. at the State Department
cabegrams were being received from
Minister Woodford. and the Spanish Min
ister Senior Polo Bernabe, was in
lengthy conference with Judge Day as
to the prospective adjustment. The meet
ing between the Spanish Minister and
Judge Day came after the Cabinet con-
ference, so that such representations as
Spain submitted through him did not get
before the Cabinet.
At least two Of these new phases sub
mitted by the Minister are Of considerable
Importance He stated that no objection
would be made TO the humanitarian OBJ
jects Of the United States Government
in extending relief to the sufferers in
Cuba on a far greater scale than hitherto
had been contemplated. On the contrary,
Spain has made known that IL recognizes
the humane purposes animating this
country. and that it does not doubt that
these purposes will be executed in such
way as TO avoid all opportunities for
friction. 1t is not expected that the relief
will be carried in warships, as this
would Introduce a political aspect into a
project which is purely humane.
This acquiescence by Spain clears the
way for the Presidents message Of the
next few days. asking a large appropria-
ton for the relief Of the restitution in
Cuba. Another important Spanish docu-
ment which reached the government du-
ring the day was an abstract of the re-
which investigated the destruction Of the
Maine. ii is the only answer Spain has
thus far made TO the action of this gov
eminent in submitting to Spain through
Minister Woodford the findings Of the
American court. The conclusions reach |
ed by the Spanish commission are direct |
ly the opposite of those Of the American |
court. No demands have been made i'm |
connection with the Maine, and, there |
FORE there is no response beyond the |
submission Of the Spanish report.
EUROPEAN MEDIATION.
Following the call of the Spanish Min |
lister at the State Department, the French |
NJ. Cambon, held con-
ference with Judge Day. This renewed |
the talk of European mediation, which |
is assuming tangible form. There is good |
reason TO believe Spain is ready and |
anxious for this move and has been en-
II at the European capitals.
At the War and Navy Departments the |
stir of preparations continued, as usual. |
The Navy Department made plans for |
a .mosquito feet" TO be composed OF |
tugs and steam yachts recently pur-
chased and armed as an auxiliary fleet. |
The War Department made numerous |