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I M my mil k -A jr-m. - I OL. XXX f. NO. 29. WILMINGTON, N. C, FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1893. $1.00 PER YEAR, I - w i. . SPM GIVES ANOTHER RESPITE. The President's Message Not to Be Sent to Congress Till Monday. STROM EFFORT TO Republicans in Congress Restive Under the President's Delay. A Number in the House Organize a Revolt. To Get Americans Out of Cuba Given as the Reason for Delay. Spain's Active Measures for Amicable Settlement. Lay ing Mines in Our Seaports. Flying Squad ron to Make a Dash for Canaries. Washington, April 6. Swift as a can non's Hash changed the Cuban situa tion today. iThe galleries of congress were crowded, senators 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 a war when, with excitement at the very highest, like an electric flash the word was 'passed that there would be no mes sage today. Its 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 ail. 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 gr'ave 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 dispatches from 'Madrid, 'for extreme reticence 'was maintained on the subject by the f&w in Washington who knew the tacts 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 resentations made by the United States last week, and in order to avert im Tending war, 'had decided to make concessions heretofore refused. EFFORTS TO SECURE PEACE. What will be the final outcome It is too early to isay, but the 'aspect of af fairs certain Is considerably more pacific and sufferent, to renew the hope of the president in a 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.wili lead to ultimate independence of Cuba from Spanish rule, (but by what inter mediate steps perhaps even the gov erning powers do not at this time 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 f Europe, material and moral, it is known, brought to bear all their InUuence on the government of Spain and still are actively at work seeking 'by the 'wisest and most politic 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 j the capitals or liurope nave reen in communication to this end. a fact evi denced by the assemblage at the Brit ish embassy in this citjr .yesterday of the representatives 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 Sacs not to go be yond a mild tender of good offices to secure peace and delay a. definite de claration of war if hostilities finally (be came Inevitable. The improved condition of affairs wa reflected throughout all public quar ters late in the day. It w-as manifest ed at the White house, among cabinet r officers, and at the embassies and le gations, (including the Spanish 'legation. At the latter establishment Senor Polo caM that while 'he could not give out any of he information reaching him in official character, yet he felt that the strain of .a, few hours ago was mater ially relieved and that the prospects for peace looked much (brighter. He in no way confirmed, nor would he even discuss, views entertained in other high official quarters, that Spain nvaa slowly Unit surely yielding:, and confined his utterances to the general statement that conditions were improving. SENSATIONAL, RUMORS. Accompanying the actual develop ments of the day came a flood of re ports and rumors of a sensational charr acter, little of it, however, having any authentic "basis. The rumors of dis turbance at Havana, were not borne out Jby any official advices here. OONGHEStSiM AN AT E- The uncertainty following a: great disappointment was the coinultlotr ex isting at the capitol at the close of the day wben the expected did not (happen. Senators and members were at sea as . . . mrtwti i PATCH UP PEACE. ried summons of leaders of the senate and house to the White house and they were there informed that the message was to be withheld upon the informa tion received from Consul General Liee. The reasons the president gave were deemed entirely satisfactory (by all and Senator Davis informed the senate, while the house leaders carried the news to that body. That the danger to American life iwas considered suffi cient reason for non action appeared in the postponement of all proposed measures to consider the siuation. The proposed armistice by Spain in jected another feature into the discus sion of the siuation while some were very hopeful that a satisfactory solu tion cf the problem might eventuate from it. The general feeling was rhat the condition in Cuba, the determina tion of the insurgents to continue fighting until independence was recog nized, and the sentiment of the country in favor of Cuba's independence of Spain, possibly made overtures on this line too late. -t tile war and navy departments, in contrast to the feverish excitement of the p'ast week, the feeling was almost apathetic. While there was the usual amount of routine attendant upon the recent work of preparation, things to day settled down almost to the normal. No more contracts for new vessels were closed by the navy department and no changes in the situations of ships an nounced. Today was also noticeable for the absence of the conferences of high officials, and the great tide of visitors, congressmen, public men and contract ors almost entirely disappeared., Rutland, Vt., April 6. 'A dispatch from Senator Proctor on the Rutland Herald bulletin board says: "Foreign mediation is undesirable. Spain must leave Cuba, and the quick er the better for all parties." SPAIN TO MAKE CONCESSIONS. Madrid, 6, via Bayonne, France, April 6. The developments in the situation today are confined to the important part the queen regent is taking in the crisis. She has practically taken mat ters out of the hands of her ministers and is dealing direct with the United States Minister, General Stuart L. Woodford, through the German and Austrian ambassadors and is working earnestly for peace. It Is known be yond doubt that Spain is now prepared to give all America has asked, although the form of this concession must be gilded to suit Spanish palates and must take into consideration the polit ical difficulties "which confront Spain. Washington, April 6. Secretary Long when shown the Madrid bulletin an nouncing a settlement said: "1 know nothing of it." He refused to say any thing more. RESOLUTION FOR CUBAN INDE PENDENCE. Washington, April 6. Representative Pearson, of North Carolina, a republi can member cf the house foieign affairs committee today introduced the follow ing joint resolution:- Whereas, The government of Spain for three years past has Ibeen waging war In the island of Cuba against the revolutionary government establisned in that island, without making any sub stantial progress towards the suppres sion of said revolution, and Whereas, This war uy reason cf the unusual and uncivilized methods re sorted to, has caused unprecedented loss of life and destruction oi property, not only to the opposing forces, at to innocent non combatants, by reason of the process known as reconcentration and has caused serious injury to the commercial interest of the United States, Involving the destruction of the lives and property of many of our citi zens, disturbing the business of our entire country, endangering public health and comfort by reason of the proximity of pestilential diseases, caus ing our government to expend millions of money in patrolling our coasts and in policing the high seas in order to maintain the obligations of neutrality, and, finally, when our forbearance 'had already been taxed to its limit, one of our battleships anchored in the -harbor of Havana, and on a friendly visit, is destroyed by an act of unspe&LZ1s atrocity and Whereas, There is no definite pros pect and no present energetic efforts on the part of the government of Spain, to suppress the revolution and restore peace to the island, and, Whereas, The further prosecution of hostilities will result in further injury lo the commercial, saniary and noisi ness interests of the United States, without benefit to the government of 6jpain, therefore. Resolved, That we recognize the inde pendence of the republic of Cuba, and will accord to its government all the right's and privileges of a sovereign state, under the law of nations. Resolved, further, That the impera tive Interests of the United States, as well as the highest considerations of hu manity constrain our government to intervene for the purpose of ending the contest, and the president of the United States is hereby clothed rwith full power to use all the land and naval forces in order to accomplish this end. Trenton, SI. J., April 6. The steam yacht 'Norwood, owned by (Norman L. QTunroe. and aSd to be one of the fast- . Mat 1 n YYyc wnrlll. left thr 'twl'n v fntf . j v will be used by the United States gov- I ernmemt as dispatch ooat. J Chattanooga, Tenn., April 6. Prepa rations are rapidly going on here for j the reception rf the government troops j at Chickamauga park. The statement ; sent out from Atlanta that there ts an inadequate supply of -water is without foundation, and ridiculous, in view of t the fact that Chickamauga river runs through the reservation. All the avail able regiments of infantry In the army are expected to be in. camp here by the early part of the week. Paris, April 6. The United States govern merot has purchased in TYance a considerable quantity of ammunition and a number of quick-firing guns. "Hong Kong, April 6. The United States fleet Is preparing to go to sea, and supplies of coal are being purchas ed for the use of the American war ships. The United States authorities have purchased the British steamer Nansham which will be used as a store ship. Springfield, Mass., April 6. Three hundred men employed at the United States armory here were discharged this afternoon on orders from Wash ington. These men were employed on the old Springfield rifles. OUR PROPOSED NAVAL CAM PAIGN. Washington, April 6. The plan of action of the naval forces in the event of hostilities is now practically com pleted, cs a result of several weeks constant work on the part of the offi cers to whom was entrusted this im portant feature of the war prepara tions. While these plans are naturally most closely guarded, Is may be stated on high authority that one feature of them contemplates a dash by the fly ing squadron under Commander Schley to Canary island. This proposition is as yet tentative, as all projects subject to unforeseen conditions must be, but has received most careful considera tion by the mtaval authorities. The gunboat Diogenes, recently pur chased in -England, has been renamed "Topeka" after Kansas' capital. (A telegram received at the navy de partment today from the naval at atche at London announced that the Spanish officials have contracted with Vickers fZZZ, Maxim and other Euro pean manufacturers, for the prompt delievery of 200,000 stand cf smull arms and the necessary ammunition. Captain Sampson's big war fleet at Key West will be still further strength ened in a day or two by the arrival of the double turreted monitor Ampbi trite, which left Beaufort this morn ing for that purpose. Madrid, April 6. The hope of reach ing a peaceful settlement with the United States is growing stronger. Tt is reported that the basis of an armis tice in Cuba has been arranged. If this be true a royal decree will appear fn The Gazette tomorrow or Friday an nouncing the comtflusion of an armis tice. The Vizeaya and the Almifan'te Oqu endo will await orders at Puerto, Rico. London, April 7. The Rome corre spondent of The Daily 'Mails says: "The pope's mediation -will probably not go further, as Presidemt (McKinley has de clared that an armistice with the Cu bans would not go to the root of the matter." CUBIAINS WILL HA E NOTHING BUT INDEPENDENCE. !New York, April The Cuban jun ta, 'through its Counsel, Horatio S. Ru bens, made an important statement to day. It declared in the most unequiv ocal language that the Cuban provis ional government and the Cuban army would reject absolutely intervention by the United tStates unless it should be preceded 'by a recognition of the in dependence of the Cuban republic; ithat if the United States persisted in inter vening without recognizing Cuban in dependence, the Cuban government and military forces would refuse to co operate; and that if United! States troops should be sent to Cuba upon the basis of intervention without recogni tion, the Cuban army would in the last resort turn its arms against the Unit ed States. This evening, Mr. Horatio S. "Rubens, counsel to the Cuban junta supplement ed his utterance's of this afternoon With this written statement over his signa ture: "The statement apeparing over my name in th evening papers was based on the indications appearing, that the -abject cf the United States in refusing to recognize ths independence of Cuba, was to annex the island to the United States. Tt was in view of this fact that I expressed the determination of the Cuban army to resist. We would, of course, welcome the American army to aid us in achieving our independence." Washington, April 6. When the dis patch containing Mr. Reubens' state ment was shown to Thomas Estrada Palma, the representative in the Unlt eu States of the Cuban republic, who arrived in Washington this morning, he said: "I cannot say anything about this dispatch until 1 communicate with Mr. Reubens." It Was made evident from his manner that he did not tfor a moment consider the possibility of sudh an unwise statement being made by the associated counsel. Minister Palma. did not hesitate to reiterate with great emphasis, his re cent declaration that intervention for the purpose of establishing autonomy in the island would not be accepted and that Cuba would became Independent. AifERTCANS LEAVING HAVANA. Key West, April 6.-9:40 p. m. The Mascot te arrived with ninety-six pas sengers on board. She is coaling at the government dock and will return to Havana as soon as through. Consul General Lee did not come. There Is great excitement here. Every state room on the Masco'tte was engaged. The City of Key "West Trill have a big crowd tomorrow. It is reported that there is great excitement in Havana. Consul General Lee is standing firm and doirig Us duty. rPampa, dTa.. 'Aprfl 6. The steamship Olivette sailed tonighlt for Havana to bring over Americans desirous of com ing. This ship has been undergoing repairs, arid it was with the greatest urgency that she was made ready for She trip. HATING SUBMAIRTNfEf MTNES. New York, April . The engineering corps under direction of OoJonel M. 'Robert, has begun operations: for the submarine -dicing of Ithe entrances to Van Vs4r ar.A wfAw n-i v . 1 -u i -,rw a v a. ouu -r--a iMiiuvia ojujk uih neers from Willetts Point were today sent to Portland. Me.; Boston, Charles ton, S. C; Hampton Hoods, Fort Wads worth and Fort Hancock to lay cables and electrical apparatus for the moor- ; ing and operation of mines. Arrange ments were being made today to re- I ceive the thirty-four rapid-fire guns re- cently purchased abroad and due to ar- j rive tomorrow on the cruiser 'New Or- ' leans from England. The shipment weigrs 900,000 pounds and It Is being arranged to send two. of the guns to each oi the seventeen principal fortifi cations along the coast to be mounted as barbette guns. The moat complete preparations have been made for the purchase and ship ment cf provisions and supplies to the various points at which they will be needed in case war is declared. No large ipurchases have been made as yet, but the department knows Just where and in what quantities supplies are to be had, their cost, and now quickly they can be delivered. A force of 120 men from Willets Point has been ordered to be ready to leave the post at a half hour's notice to assist in the work of preparing for the laying of mines and torpedoes between the Virginia capes at the entrance to Ches apeake bay. THE STAND AG AINST .THE PRESI DENT IN THE HOUSE. Washington, April 6. Notwithstand ing the impatience and disappointment caused among the republican members of. the house by the withholding of the president's message, the frank state ment of the president to the leaders and to several prominent democrats that such a course was deemed abso lutely necessary by Consul General Lee to Insure the safe departure of the Americans still in Cuba, has caused them to accept the situation In good faith. Some of the most radical after hearing the statement of those who saw the president appeared satisfied. These with whom the president talked came away with a very strong impres sion that the message would mean war unless Spain backed down squarely. One of them who has been very active in antagonizing delays says the mes sage will, be perfectly satisfactory and will fully meet the expectations of the country. Pending the transmittal of the mess-age, in view of the situation presented by the president, all plana looking to action in the house will be abandoned. But those who have been taking part in the radical movement and who always admit the possibility that the time may come when they will have to part company with the president, are, according to the leaders of the movement, more determined than ever to ultimately obtain what they de sire. They, however, are at present satisfied with the assurances they have received as to the character of the mes sage. But this has not prevented them from organizing tfor possible contin gencies. The conference which was to to have been held tonight after the message was In was abandoned, out fifty of hese ssvho originally Inaugurat ed the movement met immediately af ter the house adjourned to discuss the situation. All who were not heartily in sympathy with them were invited to leave. Those at the meeting unani mously agreed to wait upon the mes sage, but the movement for a caucus, started by the president's supporters, which was also abandoned during the afternoon, exposed to them a danger upon which they had not reckoned namely, that a caucus of republicans might be called to bind them by the I party action and place them in. the po sition of bolters if the occasion arose for them to adopt an independent plan of action. A committee of eight was, therefore, appointed to count noses, to watch the situation and to devise ways and means to meet any tactics of the opposition. The committee is as fol lows: Messrs. Hopkins, of Illinois; Lor rimer, of Illinois; Tawney, of '.Minne sota; Cooper, of Wisconsin; Hepburn, of Iowa; Bronwell, of Ohio; Joy, of Missouri; Knox, of 'Massachusetts. Several rather vogorous speeches in denunciation of any 'policy of delay were made in the course of the meet ing. In order to emphasize this posi tion a proposition was made to unite with the democrats and block all legis lation, adjourning from day to day un til the message appeared and the house had acted on the Cuban resolutions. But 'Mr. Hull, of Iowa, is pushing the army re-organization bill and made such an ardent plea to allow that bill to come to a vote that the proposition was temporarily abandoned. Whether Jt will be revived depends largely upon the course of events. It can be stated, however, that it is seriously contem plated. One of the other chief developments of the day was the probability that, in the event of a split on the republican side, the democrats would unite with the radicals and allow the latter to force the issue. If the democrats should seek to assume the aggressive, the chances are they would solidify the republicans against them. AMERICANS LEAVING HAVANA. (Havana, 'April 6. The iMascotte sail ed this afternoon witJh a full comple ment of passengers, among them many drstingulshed families. During the last twenty-four hours there have been issued 386 passports to persons proceeding or about to proceed to the United States. The attitude of 13ie public is ne of quiet expectancy. The order maintained in the city is admirable. Consul General Lee assures the cor respondent eft the Associated Press that he has received no instructions to leave Havana. Tt is reported, however, that aome of the consular records were sent north by the Mascotte today. She 4s expected back from Key Wet on Friday. With the Bache, (Mangrove and Fern there will be ample accommoda tions then to take away all who are entitled to go. The G. Lawton Childs Company had Intended to close their business here today, but have reconsidered the de cision. That bank and the Hidalgo Company's bank were crowded during .banking hours today. STRICT TffELT GTOUS OBSERVANCES Tombrrow, Holy Thursday, and, the next day. Good Friday, wiH both be religiously obteerveu in all quarters. No business of any kind will be transact ed and even carriages, cabs and street cars wilt be forbidden on the streets. It Is possible that telegraphic com munication win be cut off on account of the holy day. TUB FEELING IN THE SENATE. !Wa5binstwn, April 6. lfce delay 5a involved in the announcement made today that the president's message would probably not be sent to congress before next Monduy was received in the senate with varying degrees of fa vor or disfavor, depending largely upon the predilections and personal and po litical associations of the members. Senators united In the necessity for protecting the safety of General Lee and the other American citizens in Cu ba. 'Many, however, were inclined to criticise because our citizens had not been removed heretofore, while others declared protection for them should have been cent to Havana. "It Is a humiliating spectacle." said1 Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania "that with our fleet within ninety miles of Havana, we are not able to protect our people in that port." "That request," said (Senator Proctor, "merely illustrates the character of the people we are deal ing with in this matter." The intense Cuban sympathizers on both sides of the senate chamber were free in the expression of opinion that there was some motive for the delay that did not appear on the surface. They did not question the good faith of the representation as to the danger of Americans In Cuba, but they agreed that there must have been other causes for the administration's course. When the 'Madrid bulletin stating the proba bility of an armistice in Cuba was made known they found in It a veri fication olf their surmises. At one time during the afternoon the indication -was strong that dissatisfac tion would find voice in the open ses sion of the senate, but those who felt disposed to discuss the question were restrained largely from a feeling of del icacy because not fully certain of their ground. The conservative element did not find encouragement in the situa tion. They were not displeased over the prospect of delay, but rhey express ed regret at the occasion for it. "The publication of the fact of danger to Americans in Cuba." said one of them, "will set the country aflame and the 'war spirit will be more rampant to morrow than ever." Altogether, the day's proceedings had the effect of leaving the senate in an unsettled condition, but it also relieved the tension to a perceptible degree. TESTING THE BROOKLYN'S GUNS Fortress Monroe, Va., April 6. The Brooklyn, the llagship of the llying squadron, tried her 8 inch guns today, in order to test the new elevating appa ratus designed to give them greater range. The test was rot only made to demonstrate the utility of the appa ratus, but also to see if the turrets af ter being so materially changed would stand the shock to which they are sub jected. The test, was under the direc tion of Commodore Schley and Captain Cook, was of a most satisfactory na ture and Commodore Schley said that the Brooklyn was in the best of fight ing trim. The first shot was sent out with a single charge of eighty-five -pounds of powder, the gun being ele vated at 'five degrees. The 200 pound shell left the muzzle of the gun at a velocity of 2,000 feet a second. It struck the water two and three quar ter miles from the ship, sending up a vast column of water. The second shot was with the full powder charge, 110 pounds and sent the -projectile very nearly four miles, putting it in the water at a speed of 1,000 feet pei second Therf was no npivpnt iblo larrirnr from the shot. Commodore Schley said to- : :ght that he had not yet received any orders from Washington. Washington, April 6. Representative Jones, of Washington, today introduced a joint resolution to protect the Ameri cans in Cuba which directs the presi dent immediately to order all vessels of war of the United States in the vicin ity of Cuba to proceed to Havana with out delay, to protect all American cit izens there and to bring away in safety all who desire to leave the island. DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE NAVY. Key West, Fla., April 6. Intense dis appointment was exhibited by all hands on board the flagship New York when the Associated Press bulletin regarding the reported settlement at Madrid was read. Until 6 o'clock this evening it was confidently believed the fleet would sail tomorrow or Friday for Havana or Porto Rico, and the pacific news came like a bomb. Captain Sampson read the dispatch with eager interest, after which it was read at the messes. He believes there is still a chance that the American navy may have an oppor tunity to show what it Is made of, but he regrets the delay which will prob ably enable Spain to bring her torpedo flotilla and other warships to these waters. All the high naval authori ties on board maintain that Spain should not be allowed to bring her forces over, pending a settlement. THE PANIC IN HAVANA. Havana, (via Key West, Fla.,) April 6. After many days of foolish confi dence that nothing would happen, a number of people here, Americans and others, have been plunged Into equally foolish fears, turmoil and all sorts of wild rumors in advance of the message of the president to congress. People who should know better insist that war lias been declared; others are equally sure that the pope has secured peace wiUi honor. Bankers with close American connections are packing their papers, collecting all possible debts, arranging for guards for their steel vaults and sending their families away. Cuban women, with husbands, fathers and brothers in the insurgent rank, are In a etate of terror and are really much to be pitied, since If any one Is marked It is they, since all history on all parallel lines shows no very great consideration from Spanish' rioters for the gentler sex. The few simon-pure Americans who remain keep as cool as may be with the temperature at &5 degrees in the morning hours. The fact is,, so far as the officials and news paper men are concerned, they have heard so many weired tales, which, they have traced to their sources, and found mere buncombe or bathos, that they are not prepared to -believe any evi dence but that of their own senses. When Consul General Lee says, with that delightful chuckle of his, "Well, gentlemen, guess we should better be getting our traps together," all will stand to attention, formally salute, say, "Very good. Sir," and pack up. It is a fact worthy of record and to the credit of the government here, that Cespite U was well known that today was crucial, with war probable and Spanish defeat certain. Havana up to U o'clock this morning, was quiet, or- MWI. ActMl tMtl kW It IkMhrtkrUMMrttWWi Absolutely Pure . jtm fewora cv., nr vvwm. derly and self-contained, lty llavan the c.ty in general is meant, and tt Isolated cases of lndlvdu'al-pxoltMmitt The removal of the embargo coajv quont upon quarantine Ir.ws giveM re lief to thousands: but the new troultW arisen of lack of transprtatlxi. No doubt many will leave as the result of a needless scare, since probably tiiey would be as safe here as anywhrr. a possible bombardment 1lng left if the account. Some of the h';niard still talk wildly alout the United Suites Ueet being 'blown out of the water by fire from the Havana 'batteries on th water front, but a careful practice two days ago showed the Inability f the gunners t come ''lthln a hundroiX yards of a target on smooth water, at a range of two miles or thereabHita. naval men need not le apprehensive of the effect of the Havana ku:i. "he story sent north that forty mine had been recently sunk in the linvan harbor is not verified. It i improbable. Likely enough, however, a single line and perhaps a double line of toriH"de has been laid In the narrowest Tart of the channel near the entrance. NO TERMS WITH SPAIN ITTTIK11. Washington, April C The most care ful investigation in official circles to night failed to develop anything In sup port of the theory tbat the delay X the president's message was dth to thki situation at Madrid. Wlhen the an nouncement was first made today thcit the message had been withheld, the In ference was drawn In ptome Angro sional circlet that the delay was iar tlally influenced by the aittitude of the queen-regent, who was reporttl will ing to yield everything demanded by the United States, provided it couKI be done without precipitating a iiu lar disturbance in Spain. Iress dis patches of a 'pending cablnrt crisis In Madrid tended to confirm this. Thum closest to the president refused to dis cuss the Madrid situation further tfwtn t'o say that there wus no infonivitfcm from that quarter and that no fnl negotiations had been opened. It was reiterated that the crux of the situa tion was in Havana. This was con firmed by members of the foreign re lations committee to Whom thLs ex planation had been made in such f.rn that they professed themselves satis lied to accept It. THE QUESTION OF ARMISTICE. London, April 7. The Madrid cor respondent of The Times says: TImtv is no definite news, but the ltuatn ilecomes more stall In its gravity. Th telegrams from Rome indicate that the IKpe's mediation is or, prliapM by this" time, was indefinite and undeveloped and that the assent of all parties un cerned it as yet not accorded. It fc said, furthermore, that his hollnart will ask the queen-regent to grant an armistice in Cuba. Her majesty ntiiy do so; but, no armistice is r-prtd to have been asked for from the rotwi camp, the granting of It will not lwr easy. A ministerial crisis is talked of. No crisis of this nature is in immedi ate prospect, but the shades of minis terial opinion are krwn to contracst with some sharpness. The Madrid correspondent of Tfe Daily Telegraph says: 1 am alHe to assert that, in the opinion of more than one European government, a eaoil settlement on the basis of Spanish n-c-sions could easily secured. f a- llttle time were allowed for reftectkm and discussion; but -.he rapMity of events at Washington is the insist dan gerous element of the situation. .It Im questionable whether the Cubans are ripe for independence and whether nuefs a measure could possibly !e execute! in a hurry. The Vienna correspvrtJent of Tl- Thnes explains a pan of sttl-m tit which "offers an acceptable compro mise, it not too late, and which hva already come under the notice of one of the parties concerned." He saysz The scheme involves giving Cuira au tonomy, but placing the island In a re lation toward Spain similar to, tht whldh Egypt sustains towattl Turkey. Under this plan Cuba would pay an an nual tribute to Spain, while Amelia would be entrusted with the control of the Cuban finances and have the Kime . standing there as England has in. Kgypt. The Unfted States wouKJ guar antee the Spanish loan, which, consider ing America's high credit, could easily be issued at 3 per cttt. Interest, lHnpj : covered by the tribute. The proceeds -of the loan could be divided, say one third to Cuba and two-thirds to Spain., and thus both be rescued from financial distress and an hononafble peace e , cured, advantageous to both America, and Spain. The Times, commenting edKorfcttty on the scheme of Cuban adjustment outlined by its Vienna correspondent. . says it does not thank the plan feasible., adding: Spain appears to remain prae tkrally unmoved and, despite th wet come delay of the president's message 4he situation Is still ambiguous onOL alarming. "Tins LIE PROM MADRID. The Rome correspondent of The Daily News, describing the origin of the stai roent, that America sought the porters mediation, says: This 'lie from Mad rid as they openly call it In the Vati can, has upset the calculations of th pope and may cause the entire ruin ar the good offices of the pontiff, because r the dislike, among Americana, of Inter ventlon by the pope, not only as tfce- (Continued on Fourth Tage. I ii i j. V. 1 i ' ? i ! ! 5 4 i , I fc Lthan in 1- w on v
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April 8, 1898, edition 1
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