Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1898 — HAS CALLED A HALT [ARTICLE]

HAS CALLED A HALT

Spain Instructs Her Flotilla to Re> main at Cape Verde Islands. \ ‘v*' - > • VIZCAYA TO BE SENT BACK TO HAVAKA Madrid Dispatch Says the Pope Will Mediate—A Denial of the Report from Washington—Sagaeta » Interviewed. Madrid, April 4. —The Spanish cabinet has decided that the torpedo flotilla shall remain at Cape Verde Island until further orders. The flotilla will be joined by a squadron composed of the Charles V., the Alphonse XIII., the Infanta Teresa and the Cristopher Colon, which will accompany it to Cuba. It has also been decided that the Vizcaya and Oquendo, as Boon as they are sighted at Porto Rico, shall be ordered to return to Havana. < They Anticipate War. The cabinet, which met at eight o’clock Sunday night, discussed the situation until midnight. At the dose of the conference it was declared that no official news had been received at that time from Washington, but it was admitted that the ministers were filled with gloomy impressions. One cabinet minister declared that he had received private information confirming the extreme gravity of the situation. The minister for war, Lieut. Gen. Correo, submitted for the approval of the cabinet elaborate plans for the organization of the military force of the kingdom. Officials here now frankly admit that the situation is delicate in the extreme. They consider war as being imminent, and it is popularly believed President McKinley will address an ultimatum to Spain early this week. All parties are offering to aid the government. Even the Carlist chiefs are presenting themselves to Premier Sagasta, proffering their services in the emergency. The newspapers say there is a great patriotic movement on foot throughout the provinces in aid of the naval fund. The majority of the newspapers here regard war as inevitable. They think Gen. Stewart L. Woodford has communicated a final answer to the government. Btrnabc’a View of the Situation. Senor Polo y Bernabe telegraphed from Washington that he considers President McKinley is being carried away by congress. The president, in the opinion of the Spanish minister, will decline all responsibility for the course events will take, while congress will accept it. Ask Prayers for Spanisk Success. From all the pulpits in Madrid Sunday the priests read a letter from the bishop of the diocese announcing that he considered war to be imminent, and ordering prayers for the of the Spanish arms. Pope to Mediate. Madrid, April 4. —Senor Capdeipon, minister of the interior, states officially that the pope has accepted the task of mediating between Spain and the United States at the suggestion of the latter, both nations accepting his mediation. Denied in Washington. Washington, April 4.—Assistant Secretary of State Day has authorized an official denial of the statement that the pope is to mediate between this country and Spain. Announced in London. London, April 4. —The Daily Mail in its second edition publishes a special dispatch from Madrid, dated midnight, confirming the announcement of the pope's offer to mediate. Tihe dispatch says: "His holiness applied to Spain, asking her how, In case the United States should Invite him to mediate with the sole object of suspending hostilities In Cuba, Spain would receive the request. The Spanish government replied affirming their respectful consideration of the offer and declaring that trusting In hlshollnese’ sentiments of benevolent friendship, they would place themselves In his hands, saving Spain’s honor. It is supposed that the pope was Induced to offer mediation on America's initiative. There Is much doubt here how the American chamber will accept the proposal, but It Is hoped It will have a pacificatory effect." Bagsats's Story. London, April 4. —The Madrid correspondent of the Standard says he has been able to obtniu an interview with fienor Sagnsta, the premier, and to elicit from him a brief statement with reference to the present critical situation’. In the course of the conversation, Senor Sagasta said: "In our recent negotiations with the United States we have used friendly and conciliatory language In explaining our views. Respecting the matters In dispute, with regard to the Maine disaster, we said we considered the question to be one for diplomatic negotiation, and that If we and the United States found It Impossible to come to an understanding on the conflicting opinions of the American and Spanish commissions as to the cause of the disaster, the matter then ought to be submitted to technical experts and to the arbitration of a naval or other power, who might be selected by mutual agreement between the two governments. "On the second point, we were able to Inform United States Minister Woodford that Qov. Gen. Blanco had Issued a proclamatlan authorising the return of the reconcentrados to their homes, and that the Bpanlah government had sent 120,000 pounds (1600,000) to the relief of the distressed Cubans, and would devote to tha same object all the proceeds of relief In kind and money, amounting to 100,000 pounds (>1.000,000), which had been sent by Spanish residents In Mexico. These measures are supplemented by the aselstance already given by the Cuban autonomist government. We have never objected to relief being also sent by the United States, on condition that It did not have an official character or bear the appearance of Intervention. "We did not object In principle to an armistice to ths Cuban Insurgenta We are, however, of opinion that It does not behoove Spain to take the Initiative, and that a suspension of hostilities ought to be asked for by the Insurgents. We suggested that the United States government might. If so Inclined, exercise Its Influence with the Insurgents to Induce them to apply for an armistice, with a view to further the ends of peace, on the understanding, however, that the armistice would be destined to lead to the submission of the Insurgents to the new autonomous regime.” Tbs correspondent continues: "Senor

Sagast* assured me that the question of the independence of Cuba or the sale of that solony or any invaalon of Spanish rights eras not mooted In the recent negotiations. Senor Vagasta considers that since he took Dfllce In October last he has done everything possible to satisfy the Cubans and to sreserve5 reserve good relations with the United tates, and that consequently no responsibility for the present orlsis, should it iead to a rupture, should rest with Spain. He, however, does not believe that the last Spanish memorandum closes the door to further negotiations. Those who contacted them, he said, had on both side# ihown a disposition to promote oordial relations, and he only apprehended trouble from the pressure of the jingoes on the executive In Washington. “Senor Sag&ata proceeded to #ay that his government had addressed a memorandum to the European powers, but had not offlslally taken steps to solicit their Intervention. He called my attention to the fact that the people gnd press of Spain had shown prudence, forbearance and patriot-' Ism during the negotiations, even the opposition having put no obstacles In the way of the government. This, he said, led him to believe that all classes would cooperate In the work of realising peace In Cuba and facing the contingencies of the future. He spoke throughout with calm, •übdued energy of a statesman alive to the eventualities of the situation and conscious that he had done hii duty In endeavoring to avert war, without sacrificing the rights of Spain, In a manner that would create equally grave oonsequenoes at home.” Still a Chance for Peace. London, April 4. —The Standard commenting on the interview of the Madrid correspondent with Senor Sagasta, considers the statement of the Spanish premier that America has not demanded categorically the independence of Cuba, most important, because, while Spain amour propre is not involved, there is still a chance for peace. Will Fight to the Bitter End. London, April 4.—The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: An interview appears in the Tageblatt with the Spanish ambassador, who denies that the United States has present an ultimatum. He says that Spain will,not Are the first shot, but that if war occurs she will fight for years and to the bitter end. Such a war, continues the Spanish ambassador, would paralyze American commerce and industry while the Spaniards are bom soldiers of unconquerable toughness. The American navy, according to the Spanish ambassador, consists of mercenaries who are not used to war.