Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1898 — NO FURTHER DELAY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NO FURTHER DELAY.

The President’s Message Ready for Presentation to Congress. CABINET HEARS ITS FINAL READING. I ■ 1 Granting of an Ariulatice by Spain Will Not Affect the Situation—Attention of CougreM Will Be Called to It. Washington, April 11. —At the close of the second cabinet meeting Sunday night it was announced that the president’s message undoubtedly would go • to congress at noon'to-day. On the best authority obtainable it was stated that the meeting was devoted wholly to the consideration of the addition to the message necessitated by the receipt of the latest note from Spain advising this government of the declaration of an unconditional armistice. The suffix to the president’s message mere- ■ ly recited this latest event in the develI opment of the Spanish question, givi ing the substance of the Spanish note and “recommending it to the earnest ' attention of congress.” Otherwise the message stands,.unchanged. Situation Not Altered. After the meeting one member of the cabinet said that the Spanish note had ' not altered either the message or the . situation. “It is merely,” said he, I “what Spain has been asking for all along—more time. It does not touch the situation, and the president’s message is left precisely as it was before, merely stating the fact of this latest development." MeMvuire Outlined. Another member of the cabinet said, after the meeting: "Our meeting was for the final reading I of the message which will be sent to con-i gress to-diy. It is a strong state paper, I 1 and will contain a review of the conditions ■ existing in Cuba for years past. There is i no change in the tone of the message dis-

sering from that indicated In the newspapers. The president will ask that he be given authority to use the army and the navy to bring about peace In the island of Cuba, and to Insure a stable government. An argument is made against the recognition of independence of the insurgents for the reason that there is lacking the essential features of an indept ndent people. There is a quotation from one of the former presidents who argued against the recognition of the Texans when in rebellion against the Mexican government, and from the opinions expressed by President Cleveland and Secretary Olney during the last administration in opposition to a recognition of independence. "There was but one addition made to the message, and that was in relation to the dispatch presented to the state department by Minister Polo y Bernabe and containing the information that the queen r.gent had granted authority to Capt. Gen. Blanco to issue an armistice, the terms and conditions of which would be left to his judgment. This was the first communication that the state department has had with the Spanish minister since a week from last Fridiy. So far as 1 am aware there has been no suggestion made to the Insurgents by this government with a view to their considering the proposition for an armistice authorized by the Spanish government. This government has never had anything to do with the gentitmen composing the Cuban junta in New York. Ido not think the armistice idea will have the least effect on any action that may be contemplated in congress." It. is said that some members of the cabinet advised further delay simply to observe the practical effect of the armistice, but they were outvoted by the majority, who thought the president had waited long enough. Diplomats Interested. Diplomatic circles in Washington were keenly interested In the change brought about by Spain’s grant of an armistice. The ambassadors and ministers exchanged calls, and there was a general exchange of congratulations, aa it was felt that »'he armistice at leant gave time for calmer counsels. The French ambassador, M. Gambon, received a cable dispatch from the foreign office at Paris, informing him that the armistice had been granted and was wholly without conditions. Besides seeing his associates of the diplomatic cor|Mi, the ambassador saw Archbishop Ireland, who was instrumental In securing the influences of the pope, and joined the archbishop in expressions of satisfaction. Throughout ’he negotiations, tjie French ambassador and the French government has taken a leaning part in averting an open rupture between the United States and Spain. While the British government has been most active in seeing that the action of the powers did not assume a menacing attitude toward the United

States, yet it is known that Great Brit ain joins with the other powers in approving the latest movement of an armistice and is hopeful that this will clear the way for a fuller settlement of the general Cuban question. Claims Cubans Have a Government. Senor Quesada, diplomatic representative at Washington of the Cuban republic, issues a statement reviewing the formation and continuance of its civil government and citing its constitution as proof that the United Statescan lawfully recognize its independence. In defining the powers of the government council it is shown that no negotiations for cessation of the war with Spain can be entered into except bn the basks of absolute and immediate recognition of the independence of the entire Island. Lee Quits Havana. Havana, April 11. —United States Con-sul-General Lee and his staff, with Vice Consul Springer and Consul Barker, left Havana at six o’clock Saturday night on the lighthouse tender Fern. The wharf waacrowded, but no discourtesy was shown. At ten o’clock Saturday morning Consul-General Lee, accompanied by British Consul Gollan, called on Gen. Blanco to bid him good-by. The governor-general was very busy and could not receive Gen. Lee. The American .flag upon the consulate building has been taken down by consular employes'. Alexander Gollan, the British consul here, is ready to take charge of American Interests so far as allowed. Mr. Gollan is likely to rise to the occasion and may be an important factor in future events. A diplomat here positively declared that he did not believe there would be war betwepn the United States and Spain. Consul Barker left behind in Sagun in Grande more than 300 destitute Americans. • No Diaconrteay Shown. At one o’clock Saturday afternoon Consul-General Lee, accompanied by his staff, boarded the dispatch boat Fern, and Vice Consul Springer and Consul Barker went on board at five o’clock. The Machina wharf, where they embarked, was crowded with curl-

bus persons, but no discourtesy was shown the officials. At 5:30 o’clock the American vessels began leaving port. The steamer Evelyn left with 50 passengers and after her came the Olivette, with 247 passengers, among whom were Miss Clara Barton anil the other representatives of the Red Cross society, who have been engaged in relief work in the island. She was followed by the Bache, with ten passengers, and last of all came the Fern, which left at six o’clock, having on board Consul-General Lee, Vice Consul Springer and Consul Barker. Consular Clerks Fosca, Dolse and Drain, Correspondent® Johnston, Pepper, Redding, Akers, Franke, Dunning, Nichols and Shovel, G. Dawson Childs and William Liwton and Dr. Brunner. I.ee'M MeMNHtfv to Billnco. “You may tell Gen. Blanco for me that the Fern is the last ship of the navy that will ever go out of Havana harbor while the Spanish flag flies over Morro." This was the message that Gen. Lee sent back to Gen. Blanco as he .teamed out of Havana harbor. Gen. Lee was indignant at the Insults heaiped upon his head by the Spanish officials and the i populace. He had been snubbed at the ; palace by Gen. Blanco. Landa at Key West. ! Key West, Fla., April 11. —ConsulI General Lee arrived here on the Fem at J 7:39 Sunday morning. Gen. Lee t*nit • ashore about 11 o’clock and received nn answer to a telegram he had sent to Washington. The general sailed for Tampa at noon. From that port he will go direct to Washington.

MUST I GET OUT?