Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1898 — SPAIN SEEKS PEACE. [ARTICLE]

SPAIN SEEKS PEACE.

Dispatches from Madrid Indicate Mors Hopeful Situation. WILLING TO GRANT* AN ARMISTICE, o ♦ TkeQaeea Regent Said to Rave Taken ~ Matters Into Her Own Hands'and to Be Working Hard to Seeure an Madrid, April 7. —The hope of reaching a peaceful settlement with the United States is growing stronger. It is reported that the basis of an armistice in Cuba has been arranged. If this be true a royal decree will appear in the Gazette to-day or Friday announcing the conclusion of an armistice. The Vizcaya and the Almirante Oquendo will await orders at Porto Rico. Mrs. Woodford Leaves. It is learned that Mrs. Woodford, wife of the United States minister, accompanied by her niece and Lieut. G. L. Dyer, the United States naval attache, left by the eight o’clock train Wednesday for Biarritz. Gen. Woodford bade them farewell at the station. Considerable surprise is expressed at their departure, in view of “the settlement,” but Miss Woodford remains, and it is explained that the others will soon return. Sasrasta’s Hopes. Senor Sagasta, the premier, on leaving the palace Wednesday for his daily conference with the queen regent, declared that he expected President McKinley’s message to congress would be peaceful in tone and that it would probably result in avoiding a conflict. The premier also denied the rumors of ministerial dissension, and said the cabinet council this evening would treat generally of matters before the ministry. He denied the report ofthe embarkation of troops for the Philippine islands. <l»een Workin* for Ponce. • Madrid, via Bayonne, France, April 7. —The developments in the situation Wednesday are confined to the important part the queen regent is taking in the crisis. She has practically taken matters out of the hands of her minis ters, and is dealing direct with United

Setates Minister Gen. Stewart L. Wood* ford, through the German and Austrian ambassadors, and is working earnestly for peace. Queen Will Issue Proclamation. Madrid, April 7. asserted that a proclamation of the queen regent, announcing an immediite armistice in Cuba, will be issued Thursday. It is added that some of the cabinet ministers may resign, but, if necessary, the ministry will be changed. It is understood that Senor Silvela, the leader of the dissident conservatives, and the conservatives will, if necessary, accept office on a programme if an immediate armistice, with full authority to the autonomist governnent to negotiate and conclude an immediate and effectual peace in Cuba. Spain Will Yield. It is known beyond doubt that Spain is now prepared to give all America has asked for, although the form of this concession must be gilded tosuitthe Spanish palate, and must take into consideration the political difficulties which confront Spain. Say* the Pope I* Grieved. London, 7.—The London corresjpondent of the Daily Chronicle says: Archbishop Ireland ha* cabled to the pope that mediation ia almost impossible in consequence of the resistance of public opinion. His holiness is much grieved by this check to his good intentions. The Cuban insurgents, it is said, have cabled to the European committee that they will not agree to an armistice or disarmament unless Cuban independence is proclaimed. Views of the London Press. London, April 7.—The editorials of the morning papers express conflicting opinions. The Daily News thinks the prospect of peao* brighter. The Standard says: “Evidemtly there Is to be no war between the United States and Spain about Cuba. The powers and the pope together will be able to arrange a solution." The Daily Chronicle, on the contrary, considers the aspect of affairs threatening and advises Spain not to commit suicide.