Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-04-02
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE
This Is the Demand Made by Pres.
ident Mckinley.
AUSTRIA WILL NOT AID SPAIN.


ton to Madrid. where the Spanish gov
eminent is now giving grave. and ear
nest consideration to propositions pre-
scented by the government of the Unit
ed States. On the answer to these
propositions probably depends the fu-
ture course CT the relations between
the two countries. 1t is believed that
1t Is now but a question of an exceed
ingly short time before the inevitable
crisis must come. The Spanish min
istry will hold a cabinet council this
afternoon, after the propositions have
been submitted to the queen regent,
and as a result of that conference 1t is
expected by the administration that a
definite answer to it's proposals will be
received.
The propositions submitted by this
country contemplate a complete and
immediate cessation eff hostilities in
Cuba, the return of the reconcentra-
dos to their usual avocations, and the
independence of Cuba. this last feat
ure to be secured probably on an in
1emnity basis by which the island
would pay a substantial sum for it's
freedom from Spanish rule. These prop
ositions take a wide scope, and there
are many details in the alternative
propositions, the purpose being to pre-
sent every possible plan promising
solution of the Cuban problem so long
as an end of the Cuban war and Cuban
independence were embodied in the ul-
innate result. 1t has been made per-
fectly clear to Spain that nothing less
than a close of the war and the indie
pendence of the island will suffice as
an adequate settlement.
Such lesser methods as have been
contemplated from time to time are
now put aside for these more advanced
and positive tenders. 1t is now for
Spain to accept or reject these tenders.
There is no disposition to urge one
rather than another, SO long as the
conclusion finally reached brings the
termination of the war and Cuban in
dependence. Never before until now
has the Spanish government, even for
a moment, entertained such PROPOSE
tions. Now, in the stress of the pres
ent emergency, with declarations of
war introduced in the American con-
gress, Spain has reluctantly consented
to consider them. This in itself has
given lively hope of satisfactory re-
suits. But it involves a grave crisis
in Spain, and it cannot be foretold what
the final action at Madrid will be.
The Republicans of the house who
are saggressively in favor of prompt
and energetic action in the Cuban mat
ter held another meeting last night,
there being lis Republican members
present. Members who had called on
the president during the day COUNSEL
ed a brief delay, in Difference to the
presidents wishes, and it was tacitly
agreed that if definite action had not
been reached by Monday congress
would force action. A committee of
eleven was appointed to meet the pres
ident today and report at a meeting
tonight.
The situation at the Capitol is one OF
waiting expectancy. Senators and
representatives are willing to give the
president an opportunity to carry out
his plans, but there is impotence to
have some Information regarding those
plans and some assurances that they
will not delay action too long.
1t was stated in a high diplomatic
quarter that the Spanish government
within the last ten days had addressed
a note to the great powers of Europe
fully setting forth the grave aspect
of the controversy with the United
States, and at least inferentially sug-
costing that the time was now oppor-
tune for European influences to be
exerted.
The Spanish government has ear
nestly hoped within the last week that
likely Austria or France would take the
initiative without waiting to consult
the desires Of this government. This
hope has proved vain, however, and it
is stated on high authority that recent
negotiations in Europe have disclosed
positively that while the sympathy of
some of the continental powers was
toward Spain, no one of them stood
ready to espouse her cause by media
ton or by arms. Most had been ex-
pected of Austria, owing to the dynas-
tic relations between Austria and
Spain. The present queen regent of
Spain, Maria Christina, is an Austrian
princess, being the second child of Karl
Ferdinand, archduke of Austria, and
cousin of Emperor Franz Joseph of Aus
tria. The young king of Spain, through
the same genealogy, is of Austrian
blood. This creates a natural tie be-
tween Austria and Spain but Austria
has not felt ready to take the initiative.
a wild and uproarious scene occur
red in the house yesterday when Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, at
tempted to force the hand of the Re-
publicans upon a proposition to over
rule the speaker and pass a resolution
recognizing the independence of the
Cuban republic. He was cheered on
by the crowded galleries, but the mem
bers of the majority refused to support
him. Only two Republicans, Messrs.
Acheson and Robbins, of Pennsylvania,
broke from the party, while dozen re-
fused to vote.
The great event of last week was, of
course, the arrival in Washington on
Thursday night of the report of the
Maine court of inquiry, which was
brought to the capital from Key West
by Lieutenant Commander Mark,
Lieutenonts Hood and Jungen, En-
gineer Bowers and Ship Carpenter
Helmes, of the Names crew. Another
important event of the week was the
launching, on Thursday last at New
port News, Va, of the two new bat
tleships Kentucky and Kearsarge.
Last Thursday the body of Lieutenant
Jenkins was recovered from the wreck
of the Maine, and has been forwarded
to his mother at Allegheny, Pa, where
1t was buried with signal honors on
Wednesday of this week.
Another event of last Thursday was
the retiring for six months, on sick
leave, of Rear Admiral Sicard, while
Captain Sampson was appointed to
succeed him in command of the fleet
at Key West, and Captain Evans was
appointed to command the battleship
Iowa, vice Captain Sampson. On Fri
day CqmmcGore Schley was appointed
to comma i the flying squadron at
Hampton Roads. The same day il
was announced that the government
had purchased torpedo boat Just
built for the German navy, while gov
eminent agents at New York purchased
four swift yachts, nine fast sea going
tugs and one coasting vessel, which
have been transferred into a mos
quito fleet"
This week opened with every evidence
of approaching war at the nations
capital. Sunday was an unusually busy
day. At the state, war and navy de-
partments there was little semblance of
the Sabbath. Chiefs of bureaus, clerks,
messengers and telegraph operators
were all at work. Probably never since
the days of the late war have so many
officials gathered at the war and navy
departments on a Sunday The presi-
dent had conferences with the mem
bers of his cabinet, and Assistant Sec
rotary Day had a conference with the