The herald., 1898-04-08
PROMISE OF ARMISTlCf
WAS JUST A SPANISH PLAY FOR
TIME
DIPLoMAcY's COURSE is RUN
Action Will Be Delayed Only Long
Enough to Enable Americans
r to Leave Cuba
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, April 7.-Up to noon TO-
day nothing had occurred which will have
any bearing upon the Presidents message
as already prepared, nor will 1t be changed
In any important particular save In the
unlooked-for event OF submission on the
part Of Spain to the demands Of this gov
ernment. This statement was made at
noon by high official Of the government
who has full knowledge of the real situa-
tion. The intimation given out at Ma
drid yesterday to the effect that the Queen
Regent was about to proclaim an armis-
tice In Cuba and that the indications were
that the Spanish government would make
important concessions looking to the es-
tablshment Of peace on a basis Of practi-
cal Cuban independence is regarded IN
off1cial circles here as a diplomatic play 10
gain time. So far as this government is
concerned, diplomacy, he stated, has run
dts course. No negotiations of any char
acter are now planning, nor will they be
resumed except at the solicitation OF Spain
and for the stated purpose of carrying
ihto effect the demands of this government
already communicated to the Madrid au-
thorities. The President remains firm in
his determination to forcibly intervene In
Cuba, If necessary to put an end to hostili-
ties and obtain tranquility, and to insure
q more stable government for the island.
Information from an official source states
that a naval demonstration against Ha-
Vana has been considered and is almost
certain to be made within the next lew
days, unless Spain yields. and If this DEM
onstration results in war. the President is
ready TO accept the issue. A cabinet OFF,
Ger today said:
"Why are we hurrying Americans out
Of Cuba, except that their lives will be in
danger after the Presidents message has
gone to congress, and his purpose fully
known to the Cubans? That is the reason.
and the only one.'
This government, II Is further stated,
has learned to distrust much that comes
even from official sources at Madrid, and
from now OH actions, and not words, a
member of the Cabinet declared, will de-
termine our policy.
WHITE HOUSE CALLERS
WASHINGTON. April 7-Save for the
arrival of the distinguished public men
who sought conference with the President,
there was little outward evidence at the
White House today of a grave crisis.
At 10 o'clock the Presidents conferences
with the leaders Began. Senator Cullom
OF Illinois. VINO brought some friends to
present to the President. and Representa-
tives Grosvenor of Ohio and Cannon Of
Illinois, the later chairman OF the House
Appropriations Committee, who came to
see II there had been any overnight de-
yeiopmeuts, were the first comers.
Senator Gray Of Delaware, a member OF
the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
t!ons, was with the President for some
time. The Senator later said he believed
that all the Americans who intended to
get out of the island would be gotten out
safely in due time. He believed that both
General Woodford at Madrid and General
Lee at Havana would not be at their posts
after the opening of next week. He thought
the precautions taken by this government
and the threatening state of affairs at Ha-
vana with relation to the American citi-
zens thought to be imperiled tended to stim-
ulate the Spanish government to afford
better protection. The Senator says he
did not believe there is any likelihood Of
an armistice between Spain and the nsurg-
ents- Such an act he said, naturally
would have an effect on the situation, but
the mere offer OF one, unaccepted by the
Cubans, whatever might be the part It
would play in the sentiment of outside pow
ers, would not, in his opinion, change our
attitude in any way.
Up to late in the forenoon there had
been no important developments bearing
on the situation. President Mckinley an
nounced to some of his callers that he re-
garded his message to Congress as a
closed document unless there is an un-
expected radical change in the existing
situation.
Representative Grosvenor said Mr. Nc
Kinley was conscious of the criticism
passed on the administration for the DELAY
but he expected 1t would follow, despite
the actual facts of the danger threatening
our people on the island.
Up to II o'clock four members of the
Cabinet and Assistant Secretary Day had
been with the President. They were Sec
fetaries Sherman. Long and Bliss and
Acknowledgement Griggs.
Representative Taylor of Ohio, one of
NcKinley's personal adherents in the
House, talked over the situation with the
President and later stated his belief to be
there was no outlook for a change in the
situation before the message goes in Mon
day.
Representatives Hawley of Texas and
Simpson Of Kansas both saw the President
on personal matters. Senator Elkins
made his usual call. Representative Steele
of Indiana, who was at the White House
tor little while but did not see the Presi-
dent, expressed his opinion that Spain
would yield to the United States.
Secretary Gage arrived shortly before
noon and Joined his colleagues. While
they were together Commander Bradford
Chief Of the Naval Bureau Of Equipments,
was summoned and ushered into the meet
ing to give suggestions. Secretary Long
and Commander Bradford remained with
the President a few minutes after the
others left.
Commodore Schley has not yet received
any definite orders from Washington.
DIPLOMATIC DAY
WASHINGTON, April 7.-secretary
Sherman has returned from his trip to
New York, where he went on private
business and was at his desk at the State
Department today. Thursday being
Diplomatic Day. number Of the repre-
sentatives were on hand and Secretary
Sherman and Assistant Secretary Day
were kept busy receiving them. Among
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