The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-04


allow cable messages to come over the
French line from t. @ Danish island OF
st. Thomas to the United States. With
the Leeward islands. of which st. Thomas
is a center, as the probable center of
any naval operations which may result
from the present crisis, it is recognized
aS of vital importance to secure cable
facilities not controlled 10y Spain. Al
present the cable line touching at Porto
Rico and subject ITO Spanish control, is
the only means of communicating with
these islands. The French cable lands
ut ST. Thomas but the station is merely
for testing purposes, and messages are
not received or delivered 1t is now pro-
posed to have this station turned into
II regular bureau. in which case the
government could be brought into close
cable communication with any naval
rendezvous there This establishment
of the bureau viii require the consent
Of Denmark and it is probable this will
he asked through the United States Min
iStcr mt Copenhagen within the next few
days.
1t IS understood that the Danish gov
crnment did not view with favor the re-
cent proposition for the purchase of the
island of ST. Thomas by the United
States for use us Il coaling station, aS
ii was felt II sale of the island at this
time would be an unfriendly act toward
Spain. This view was communicated
to Washington and was doubtless made
known to the State Department through
tie Danish Minister here
'BERNABE is ACTIVE.
| The Spanish Minister, Senor Polo Y
Bernabe. and his staff had busy sun
day. although it did not bring any de-
veloEments changing the situation. The
Minister did not see State Department
officials during the day His last Off
cia exchange with the authorities here,
was on last Friday after Spain's an
swer had been received. since which time
the negotiations have been at halt.
/ This. however has not lessened the
, Spanish Minister'S activity in keeping
his government fully apprised as TO the
general aspect of affairs in this country.
, The elaborate manner in which this
cable intelligence has gone to the au-
thorities at Madrid is probably without
a parallel. 1t IS understood that when
tse situation began to assume its most
serious aspect, Il single cable dispatch
sent by the Minister 10 the Foreign Of
fee ut Madrid cost $1,000. Another dis
patch cost 500: another S400. In this
way the Madrid authorities are kept in
close touch with condition of affairs here.
not only as it relates to official negotia-
tionS. but more particularly to the ten
denotes and all those circumstances
which will permit the Madrid government
to gauge the situation at Washington.
Secretary Sherman gave u dinner last
night, at which the Spanish Minister
was one of the guests, Senator Lodge.
Of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations and Col. Fred Grant. of New
York. being among the others present
The presence of the Spanish Minister at
the home of the Secretary Of State was
devoid of significance, except as show
ing the pacific outward appearance Of
affairs. Being purely social gathering,
the Spanish situation was not alluded to.
although it is understood to have re-
qured some tact to avoid the absorbing
topic Of current interest.
1t is understood that the message t. be
sent TO Congress ny the President vii!
include a very comprehensive statement
of the relations o. ii" ;'1Ht4 states Ia
the Cuban question Ore memlrr II
the Cabinet said to-day il wor,l cove
Il period of pcrar;,s IEty years
The threat"nat uctiol cf Germany 10
send warsnip Is lltt.m Ia oldai IN
demnity in the Cannamaba case WAS
the occasion of con n'idcrahle comment in
various circles. The discussion was
predicted entirely on the possibility Of
the outcome of such action in the event
of war following between the United
States and Sppin. feA WAS expressed
that Germany Wonld no, heslaSa long
IL Spain refus"l ,ndcnr'y, and that
she might get her manpivwar INTO la
yana harbor ana taka possession of the
place before wdr was declared. In this
ease it was argued that the port w0ald
then be regarded as !. nrdtrll one,
which would inhibit this government
from striking Il blow IT that city, the
vital point of the whols land.