The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-08

Washington, April 6.-Swift as a can
mons flash changed the Cuban sltua-
tion today The galleries of congress
were crowded, senator's and representa-
tives were anxious and agitated; even
the diplomatic corps was in a ferment,
awaiting a message from the president
of the United States to the congress of
the American people that might mean
war when, with excitement at the very
highest like an electric flash the word
was passed that there would be no mes
sage today. It's suddenness stunned
the public which heard the news in dis
torted forms and amazed veteran mem
bers of congress. Ultimately it be-
came known that not only would there
be no message today, but no message
this week, and that it was at least a
possibility that the message written and
approved might never go to congress at
ALL The first reason for the delay was
that the administration received ad-
vices from General Lee at Havana in
dicating that all Americans would not
be gotten off the island today and
would be in a grave peril if the mes
sage proceeded their departure. The
second reason, and perhaps equally
potent with the other, slowly drifted
into public comprehension late in the
day, chiefly through the medium Of pub
lished > ssociated Press dispa tches
from Madrid, for extreme reticence was
maintained on the subject by the few
in Washington who kne.I the facts
and even cabinet officers were unad
vised on the subject. This important
news was that the Spanish government
after what plainly had been most ex-
citing times in inner Spanish circles at
Madrid had decided to reopen the case
closed, so far as this government was
concerned, by the refusal Of Spain to
make satisfactory response to the rep
reservations made by the United States
last week, and in order to avert inn
pending war, had decided to make
concessions heretofore refused.
EFFORTS TO SECURE PEACE.
What will be the final outcome it is
too early to say, but the aspect of af-
fairs certain is considerably more
pacific and sufferent, to renew the hope
of the president in solution of the
Cuban question satisfactory to the
American people and achieved without
bloodshed. THE details remain to be
worked out, but it is expected that be-
tween now and Monday a clearer light
will be thrown on the future by action
at Madrid, Of which one important
feature at least is the declaration of
an armistice by the queen regent of
Spain. This armistice, it is eXpecteu,will
lead to ultimate independence of Cuba
from Spanish rule, lbut by what inter-
mediate steps perhaps even the gov
erninG powers do not at thistime know.
Much, it is supposed, will depend upon
the Cuban insurgents and the people
of the two countries of the United
States and Spain.
The powers # Europe, material and
moral it is known brought to bear all
their influence on the government of
Spain and still are actively at work
seeking 10y the wisest and most polite
course necessary, in view of the cir
cumstances and sentiments of the two
great nations involved, to bring peace
out OF the gathering war clouds. All
the capitolS of Europe have been In
communication to this end, fact evil
denced by the assemblage at the Brit
ish embassy in this city yesterday OF
the repreSen tai tives of the great six
powers of Europe who then and there
were made mutually acquainted with
what had been done abroad and with
the desire of those who accredited
them to Washington that they should
work in accord here, this concert, how
ever, in the United Saes not to go be-
yond a mild tender of good offices tC
secure peace and delay a definite de-
claration Of war if hostilfties finally DE
came inevitable.
The improved condition of affairs was
reflected throughout all public quar-
ters late in the day. 1t was manifest
ed at the White house, among cabinet
officers, and at the embassies and le~
CATIONS, including the Spanish legation
AT the latter establishment Senor Pole
said that while he could not give out
any of he information reaching him in
official character. yet he felt that the
strain of d few hours ago was mater
tally relieved and that the prospects
for peace looked much Ibrig'hter. He in
no way confirmed, nor would he even
discuss views entertained in other high
official quarters, that Spain was slowly
but surely yielding, and confiaed his
utterances to the general statement
that conditions We're improving.
SENSATIONAL RUMORS.
Accompanying the actual develop
ments of the day came a flood OF re-
ports and rumors Of sensational char
acter, little OF it, however, having any
authentic basis. The rumors of dis
turbance at Havana were not borne out
fby any official advices here.
CONGRESSMAN AT SEA.
The uncertainty following a great
disappoin tment was the condition ex-
listing at the capitol at the close OF the
day when the expected did not happen
Senators and members were at sea as
TO what was coming next. While the
message was awaited there came a hur-