Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1898 — IN THE BALANCE. [ARTICLE]

IN THE BALANCE.

The Question of Peace or War with Spain Hangs by a Thread. The Momentous Decision Apparently Bests with President McKinley. Spain's Reply to Gen. Woodford's Proposals Is Received in Washington. Not Yet Made Public, But It Is Believed to Be Vague and Unsatisfactory. It Neither Accedes to Nor Rejects Our Demands—Dodges the Issue and Plays for Time.

Washington, April 1. —Spain's official reply to President McKinley’s latest demand in the Cuban situation was received in Washington Thursday night. An anxious party, comprising most of the cabinet and several close friends of the administration waited till late in the evening in expectation of developments. About half-past ten the message began to come, in cipher, and the work of translation was begun at once. It was officially stated, however, that no Intimation as to the nature of the reply could be divulged before morning. Among those at the white house were Senator Hanna, Secretary Alger, Secretary Bliss, Assistant Secretary of State Day, who dined with the president; Assistant Secretary of State Adee, to whom was confided the translation of the message; Senator Spooner and Senator Aldrich. There was an intensely expectant crowd of newspaper correspondents, larger than often gather at the white house at night, waiting in the lobby outside the president’s office. But they Were destined to disappointment, for after the telegraph instrument in the adjoining office had steadily clattered for half an hour Mr. Porter, the president’s secretary, appeared with the announcement from Secretary Day that It was impossible to translate the message in time to give out any statemertf now. The telegraph instrument was still clicking when the correspondents filed out, indicating that the message was at least quite lengthy. An Alleged Outline. New York, April 1. —A special dispatch from Washington to the World, timed two a. m., gives the following outline of Spain’s reply to the note presented by Minister Woodford, which was received Thursday night: "Spain neither accedes to nor declines President McKinley's propositions. "She makes counter argument that Spain should herself be allowed to propose terms as to what should be done regarding hei own territory that the United States should not do so." Vagae and Unsatisfactory.

Washington, April I.—Speaking ol Spain's reply, received Thursday night, the Post says: “It Is not what the president, hoping foi the best, had expected. It Is, at most, a vague and unsatisfactory note from Minister Woodford, devoting more space to his Impressions of ,what the Spanish government will and will not do than a formal expression from the SpShlsh ministry of Its own position. Spain does not accede to the American demands. Neither does she positively anc finally reject them. The question Is still lefl open for future negotiations. According tc the traditional policy of Spanish diplomacy, more delay Is requested and much eva slon is manifested. One of the reasons sot 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 sidetracking of the main Issue, which is the Immediate and complete Independence of the Island of Cuba. "It Is now a question with the president whether he will continue to treat with Spain further along the lines suggested In the dispatch and grant the additional time which Is requested. No message will be sent to congress to-day. The reply of the Spanish government will be considered at the meeting of the cabinet this morning and then it 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 forwarded. If sent It will mean that Spain must within 24 hours answer specifically as to the demands made by the United States. "In the event of a failure to answer ot a positive rejection of the American propositions, the president will suggest to congress the advisability of recognising the independence of Cuba and enforcing that recognition by a military demonstration. This will be practically a declaration ol war, although it will not go literally tc that extent." Anxiously Awaited. Thursday was a day of anxious waiting for Spain’s reply to the demands of the United States contemplating the termination of the war in Cuba and the independence of the island. On that reply, it was universally believed, the issue between peace and war would b< decided, unless some new and unexpected considerations arise to postpone the issue further. But delay would meet the opposition of congress. The gravity of the situation was felt in all official quarters. It was not a day of vapid development, as when war prenit rations were following in rapid succession, but the tension was even greater from the uncertainty that prevailed, and the feeling that Spain would not concede the complete independence of Cuba. The white house continued to be thronged with congressional leaders, anxious to learn from the president what his course was to be. The general view conveyed by these leaders, after they had been with the president, was that he expected to have definite re-

plies from Spain in time to present the entire subject to congress by next Monday. PSar of Mediation Expected. The attitude of European powers continued to be seriously discussed in official quarters, as it was felt that an offer of European mediation was almost certain to follow a war crisis. No distinct offer has been submitted up to the present moment. In this connection the cable report from Berlin that Gerr many was menacing Spain on an old claim and was about to make a naval demonstration in Cuba attracted much attention. The German ambassador, Dr. Von Holleben, said that he had received no information as to this reported move nor was he acquainted with the Cannambra case referred to in the dispatch. The Spanish minister is also unacquainted with the Cannambra case and does not credit the report that Germany has taken steps of a decisive character.

The Senate Committee. The purpose of the senate foreign affairs committee in taking the testimony of Capt. Sigsby and other naval officers is to incorporate their statements in a report the committee will make in case it finds it necessary to report a resolution for intervention. This report will in the nature of a statement to the country justifying the position taken, and it is considered desirable to support this with an array of pertinent facts which will go far to convince the American people and the civilized world of the justice of the cour.se taken. There is no doubt that the committee is prepared to report very speedily in case it should feel called upon to do so. There has been no poll of the committee and no formulation of a resolution, but there has been a very general expression of views. This expression has so far taken the shape of a recognition of the independence of the Cubans, together with a declaration for intervention sufficient to guarantee this indepndence, and the best opinion is that such a resolution will be the ultimate result of the committee’s deliberations if Spain insists upon continuing the Cuban war and holding the island.

Feeling; la Madrid. Madrid, April 1. —It was a day of great anxiety. The papers have confined themselves to ambiguities on the subject of the cabinet council. It should be said to their credit that they have displayed great prudence in their suppositions and comments, showing their appreciation of the fact that in the present critical time it is hazardous and might be prejudicial to the country to discuss the situation without sufficient knowledge of the condition#. The evening papers without exception consider the situation unchanged, notwithstanding the recent conferences. They generally admit thjrt Minister Woodford’s conduct of the diplomatic negotiations is very friendly and that he is desirous of peace, but the Spanish government is reported as “unflinching and opposed to any, even friendly, interference to terminate the war, except through its own efforts.” The Cabinet Connell. At the cabinet council Senor Sagasta, the premier, explained with extreme precision all the details of the conferences and negotiations, together with the state of the country and existing conditions, which he regarded as necessary to the formation of a proper judgment. Another minister then spoke, Senor Sagasta listening attentively. It is needless to say, after the emotions of recent days and in view of the serious issues depending, every minister poured out all he had in his heart. Prior to the council a note briefly relating the qneen regent’s ideas on the subject of the reply to be given the United States was written. On this being read at the council Senor Sagasta, taking a paper from his pocket, announced that he also had condensed his opinion into a few lines, which he proceeded to read. It is understood that he touched, one by one, upon all the questions raised by the United States and indicated the limits to which, in his opinion, it would be possible to go without prejudice to the national honor or dignity. . All the ministers, including Gen. Correa, minister of war, “saw their thoughts reflected in Senor Sagasta’s expose, which they unanimously approved.” The ministers then proceeded to the palace, where they gave an account of the proceedings to the queen regent, who Approved them. At Minister Woodford’s conference with Senor Sagasta, Gullon and Moret, Senor Sagasta’s note, translated into English, was submitted to Gen. Woodford, who, after reading it, said: “I am solely authorized to negotiate ad referendum, and, therefore, I will transmit the cabinet’s reply to Washington.” The text of the Sagasta note has not been made known, the ministers maintaining absolute reserve, but the cabinet is said to have given “proof of sentiments of the greatest conciliation.”