The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-01
WAR Is NOW SURE TOOCCUR!
President rIcKinley Has spaln'5 Reply.
Our Propositions ore Rejected.

7 Washington, April 1.-The reply of
Spain to the demands OF the United
States was placed in the hands of tho
President early this morning. While
nothing official has been given out, it is
stated on good authority that Minister
Woodford's note deyotes more space to his
own impressions as to what the Spanish
'Government will or will not, do than to a
Sormal expression from the Spanish Minis.
try.
Ii Spain, it is said, does not accede to tho
American demands. Neither does she
positively and finally reject them. The
question Is still left open for future negoti-
ations.
/. According to the traditional policy of
Spanish diplomacy, more delay is requests
ed and much evasion Is manifested.
One Of the reasons for asking further
time Is the fact that the Ministry cannot
act without the ratification Of the Cortes,
which Is not now in session. Counter
propositions are also suggested, rather
than plainly stated, which look to the side
tracxing Of the Maine Issue, which is the
Immediate and complete Independence Of
Cuba
Minister Woodford's note will BIO con.
sldered at to.day's Cabinet meeting when
1t will be decided whether an ultimatum
will be sent to Spain.
Up to this time no ultimatum in the
diplomatic sense of the word, has been
sent II sent, 1t will mean that Spain
must, within twenty.four hours, answer
specific ally as 10 the demands made by the
Unite States.
Iu the event Of failure to answer, or a
positive rejection Of the American propo-
sitions, the President will suggest to Con.
tgress the advisabillty of recognizing the
Independence Of Cuba, and enforcing that
recognition bya military demonstration.
This will be practically u declaration Of
war, although it will not 20 literally to
that extent.
It 10 stated that the President will not
send message to Congress to-day.
It Is the impression about the city this
morning that war Is inevitable and very
speedily.
RPAIN REJECTS OUR DEMANDS.
Madrid, April 1.-The reply Of tho
the United States is altogether unfavor-
able, and amounts practically toa rejec-
ton of the American demands.
This statement is made upon official au-
thority.
General Woodford, United States min
ister Is preparing to leave Malrid
TO DECLARE WAR
Washington, April L. The fact that
members of the House determined last
night to adjourn until Monday evening Is
believed to mean that they are not certain
the president will be ready to send his mes
sage to Congress before Tuesday Or We'd
nesday.
or course, a great deal will depend upon
the news from Madrid. If the .Spaniards
become positively insulting and defiant
Congress, it is believed. will not wait
twenty four hours on President Mckinley,
but will, with a rush, pass the resolution
recognizing the Independence Of Cuba, let
war come or not.
The average Senator and Representa-
tive has practically reached the conclusion
that war is inevitable, unless there should
b, a complete backdown on the part of
Spain.
And that seems improbable at this stage
Of the proceedings. The talk In Loglsla-
ii . circles is that Spain is undoubtedly
fighting for delay, and if that nation Is
h imored too much it may be decidedly to
the disadvantage of tho United States
when the culmin alton is reached.
A strong plea is made by some Of there
pablicans for unity. They insist that it
iB all important for the party to remain
solid, and Just now every effort is being
made to prevent rupture that must re-
suit In from forty to fifty Republican
members Of the House joining the Demo-
crats and Populists in going ahead, re-
gardless of the wishes Of the Administra-
ton, Speaker Reed, and the House Repub-
lican leaders.
The Speaker is known to be consider
ably worried over the situation, and is do
ing his utmost to prevent what be calls the
wild Lors es of the House" from running
away with him.