The Indianapolis journal., 1898-04-15
WAR REGARDED rs CERTAIN
BY REPRESENTATIVES, OF FOREIGN
POWERS AT THE CAPITAL.
Text of the Spanish Minister'S Note ON
the Cessation of HOstilities i'm
the Island of Cuba.


tonight in high diplomatic quarters that
an exchange Of notes had begun between the
| European capitals with view to making
| strong representations on the Spanish
American situation In the same connection
| an informal meeting of the ambassadors
| and ministers in this city Of the six great
| powers of Europe was held late in the day.
| Several of the foreign establishment re-
ceived cable advices from their govern
ments tonight as to the opening of the.
| exchange of notes. This had been antici-
pated in view of the prevailing sentiment in
all the foreign quarters here that the ac~
tion thus far taken in Congress made war
inevitable. This common opinion had been
| officially reported to the several European
| capitals. and it was doubtless instrumental
in starting the active exchange between the
| great powers to-day. The same exchange
occurred week ago as preliminary to
the joint note of the great powers presented
to President Mckinley, mildly urging a
| peaceful settlement with Spain. 1t is under
| stood. however. that the present movement
is not of the same mild character as the
former one.
Simultaneous with the opening Of the ex-
change. word came from Madrid that the
| Spanish government was about to issue an
other appeal to the great powers of Europe.
1t is understood that this appeal is an in
itiatory to the concerted action of the pow
&c i1aa IL
vance that the appeal will receive favor
able consideration. IT is said that Spain's
appeal will recte her grievances against
the United States. stating in detail the many
| concessions she has made, ana pointing out
| that it was in response TO the urgent repre-
sentatlon of the six joint powers that the
last concession of an armstice was granted.
If the powers determine to act their in
| huence probably will be particularly directed
| towards inducing the United States to grant
| Spain sufficient time within which to try
the armistice recently proclaimed. During
the recent joint action of the powers their
main influence was exerted at Madrid the
only action at Washington being the courte-
Gus expression of hope for peace But the
present movement contemplates that the in
f1uence shall be exerted at Washington
rather than at Madrid as it is the common
belief in diplomatic quarters that the Mad
rid authorities have reached the limit of
concessions, and should now be given ade-
quate time to try what they and the powers
have offered as a means of restoring peace
in Cuba. There is no suggestion, however,
tha. this influence at present will be of a
material character, but it is expected to be
an assertion of all the moral influence of the
powers in checking tendencies which, it is
believed, inevitably will lead to war.
Up to q late hour tonight word had not
been received at the various foreign estab-
lishments that any common basis OF JOINT
action had been reached, although 1t was
the general impression that there would be
little difficulty in arriving at this common
ground in view of the prevailing sentiment
abroad. 1t is not so certain, however, that
all of the powers ready for a step of
this character Germany has of late shown
q disposition to avoid exerting strong i'm
| fuences on the United States Russia is
also thought to be somewhat Indifferent.
France and Austria are most active in the
present movement, as they were in the
former one. Whether all of the six great
powers are ready to join in the movement
is in doubt, and without this united action
it is felt that the force OF such influence
would be lost.
The Spanish minister had not been Off
cially advised up to a late hour tonight
that the meeting of the Spanish Cortes had
been advanced from April % to April 90
The press cables from Madrid were not
doubted, however. as it was thought to be
quite probable that the present grave condi-
tion of affairs would lead to the assembling
of the Cortes at the earliest possible date
There is no doubt that the Cortes will nrp-
pare war budget adequate to the existing
condition of affairs, which budget viii be
akin to the $50,009,OO0 defense fund recently
appropriated by Congress. 1t is understood
that the Spanish war budget is not likely
to be less than 5OO00,OO0 pesetas. The ad
dress OF the Queen Regent upon the opening
OF the Cortes is looked forward to as an
other important feature in connection with
| Spanish American affairs, as it is definiteIv
known that the Queen Regent will deal with
| the existing crisis.