The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-28
Spain Believed to Be Anxious to
Arrange An ArmiStiCe.
POLICY OF THE PRESIDENT.
Peace II Possible, Justice at Any
Rate His Idea.

Washington, March 27-The develop
ments of the day in the Cuban situation
indicate steady progress in the negotia-
tons between the government of this
country and that of Spain looking to
the maintenance of peace for the present
at least. There is good authority for say
ing that Spain's present wishes is to Sc
cure cessation of hostilities in Cuba
rather than to engage in a war with the
United States, and that it is more than
probable that the negotiations between
the government of the United States and
the Sagasta ministry will take that turn
in the immediate future.
The present Spanish ministry has pro
fessed pacific disposition from the begin
ming, and the indications are strong now
that it will avail itself of the good offices
Of the United States to the fullest extent
that public opinion in Spain will allow in
bringing TO an end the hostilitles in Cuba.
To what extent the United States may go
in assisting Spain in her present design of
securing an armistice is not yet determin-
cd but the conserva tive element i'm the ad-
ministration consider the manifestation of
this desire on the part of Spain for even a
temporary peace, a direct result of Presi-
dent McKinley's diplomacy, and they are
naturally disposed to contend that the
President should be left free for the pres
ent at least to pursue a policy which
promises much In the way of preventing
war between this country and Spain, and
also Of bringing to a close the hostilities
IN Cuba Hence there will be an effort on
the part of the peacefully inclined in Con-
eress to continue to hold that body in
check and to prevent inf1ammatory utter
ances there until this promising diplomatic
lead may be exploited
On the part of the administration, it is
stated that the development of the situa-
ton viii not require a great length, and
henee that there will be no extended de-
lay' A policy has been fully determined
upon by the President 1t is to bring the
CUBAN war to close. This will be ac-
'omplshed by pointed Intervention, if nec-
essary, but it is considered far prefera-
N'N Ni4n SAlOulu GOIlle DIS tile result
"l peaceful negotiation than that it should
oe accomplished by hostile demonstrations
on the part of the United States Hence
the disposition of the President is to give
SPAN a fair opportunity to secure an ar
mistlee with the Cubans and to allow her
reasonable time in which to come to an
understanding with the hosties.
1t can be stated upon high authority that
'hefe has been no abatement of the Pres
'eHts intention to see that the war Is
'efIninated when it is closed upon terms
lAaJ will render the Cubans practically
free people. II is not believed that they
"ih accept anything less, nor that the
americans would be satisfied If we should
encourage a settlement that would not be
acceptable to the Cubans. If there should
10" be an armistice, it would be with the
concession MADE by Spain at the instance
d this country that negotiations should
ue opened Immediately with the insurgents
ioohing to the establishment of perIha-
HenJ peace upon these terms. 1t has long
oeen the hope of the administration 70
'iIus Spain to the point of making propo-
s''oAs Of this character as the basis of
setJlement most satisfactory to all par
YES and it is hoped, from Spain's attitude,
'.5t this time has arrived
Inc friends of the administration feel
.'aI the situation is a very delicate one
oNA that much will depend upon what
course Congress may pursue. In the mean
NHe' the President WILL on Wednesday,
s.N0 IN his message asking thai an ap-
bopnation be made for the aid of the
destitute Cubans
ne PRESIDENT saw number of the MEM
day.
'aey dropped in one by one and includ-
tt aeeretaries Bliss, Gage, Alger, and At
'Lley General Griggs.
p WIN them was also Assistant Secretary
-}'y OF the state department, who presum-
by mad some dispatches to show the
resident
>, i"e gathering was not a special cabinet
"'''hg in the sense in which that term
79Aerally used but was simply a talk
,"een the President and his advisers
uyA as occurred last Sunday concerning
t 'ers on which he desired to consult
'.li' The Cuban question and the re-
~ toi' OF the Maine court of inquiry were
h. loplcs discussed, but so far as could
lscertained, nothing conclusive was de-
-luhed. one of the members of the cab
(CDntfnt,ad or u.,,trd papel