Evening Star Newspaper, April 1, 1898, Page 17

= THE EVENIN G STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Ji€1 Fennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St., by The Brenin Star New: t Compan’ B Eaur FMANN, Pres’ raed New York Ofice, 49 Potter Building ‘The Evening Star is erty by cr rriers, on thes ed to subscribers in the wn account, at 10 cents per week or 44 cents per month. Copies at the cctnter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the c tates «r CanaGa—postage prepaid—50 cenis Guintupte Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign pestace added $3.00. (Entered at the Po t Cffice at Washington, D. C.. vt-clase ma‘l ‘matter.) C7 All mail subscript! must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicatior. The, Evening Star. | No. 14,067 WASHINGTON, D. ©., FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1898. TWO CENTS. The regular permanent family + circulation of The Evening Star in Washington is more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and uh- approachable. THE END IS IN SIGHT Indications of Collapse of Spanish Sovereignty in Ls CAN BE EFFECTED IN THREE MONTHS War Feeling Among the Cuban Volunteers is Rampant. —— +. AT AMERICANS ——__<+- —— = SNEER «€ M. Pepper.) dent. . April 1.—Madrid and s to the Cuban will take three months to h sovereignty on the isiand way. Some developments to- that the process has begun, nothing definite is known of the s laid down in the note presented odford and of the reply. Officials » still talk of the duty of the United mpel the insurgents to permit h flag to remain. sright. Corresp n orderly indicate though n positively that gents will reject any proposition of actual independence, though it y be put before them tentatively on be- ad atjon. Gomez WH Not Consent. Gomez will not consent to spend the re- maining years of his life, which cannot be ¥. in erie the Span’ flag in C s or can be to the to retain nominal . even for a few years. The le*- mez addressed to an official of t ates, in which his pesition is made uld have reached the State De- by this time. If the understan: officials here is correct, Con- fere long, stead of discussing war, the purchase of inde- sovere tonomi Madrid to defer ce of the and a us been asked b: for the further continua leaders of t . are anco’s Bando Worthless. o's bando permitting reconcentrados retern to their houses in the country paper. The condition of thes Feopl such now as to call for a con- gressional appropriation. The emergency n met by the relief movement which has finally been extended to all parts of the Reef enough is in sight to last two months. CHARLES M. PEPPER. to wor is ne The Feeling in Havana. Special From a Staff Correspondent HAVANA, March via Port Tampa, 2 has had its era of when Madrid was even , When Madrid is said to ues ana cent) k forward to war with the U There is no outward expression of =. It might be said that the sit- ached the ge where x S given way to tranquil ched on a high key. difficulty about Spain's yielding control over Cuba known to lie in on that account the Sa- is taking no pains to mo. iolent sentiments of the Spaniz hey are still running at the people on the peninsu! can be made to see that they must let g the situation without the loyalists on They know they f themselves make war with th patriotism pit The es. At present they are kep s to what is going on in ington. The rigid p p is extended even to private t hich also suppressed, so that nowledge of what takes place is impos- are e. It might, therefore, be arranged » through the good offices of the Ur States, would concede the inde- of Cuba before the Spanish » could, by their action, make sion more difficult. If negotia ing on any other basi understands that if Span- over the island continu y be through superior forces. st the of the deluded into the beli seeking an arm’ willing to entertain propositions not en the full recognition of independe know better here, because the In e has the They in- ts know, even if they do not credit that the Madrid ministry is s on this basis. They think the more time, and that perha fon at Washington may b2 notion of Sagasta fooling ses them. They will mak: mo demonstrations unless they find it js themselves who have been fooled. Then the question will be whether the govern- ment is strong enough to restrain them. it cannot be answered with certainty in ad- vance. Just now they are showing some -restraint. The incitement of the news- Papers is not met with hostile demonstra The suggestion of the Weylerit= for a general slaughter of the Ameri- does not bring the expected On the surface, the city was quiet. The people, with whom juded the volunteers and the army s. Keep talking of naval war and the is for ami the ver more unprotected coast cities of the United States. Part of them accept with compla- cency suggestions that the painting of the Ame n warships black is of no con- because when the Spanish eruiser gets after them the warships will turn white. Old Spanish Braggadocio. There is much of the old talk that every Spaniard is a Don Quixot2 and every Yan- kee a money maker, who would never risk the loss of a doilar to maintain the honor of his country. This bragging, with its mixture of ignorance, national vanity and bling riotism, would be amusing If it were not so genuine. The freling is at its height now. The voluntesrs are practicing the resular army drill. They are enrolied as a kind of militia reserve company. They credited ! will not fight the insurgents, but they drill with the notion that before long they will be calied upon to fight the enemies of their ccuntry, which to them means American scldiers. A business man whose business bas for several days past taken him among the retail shop-keepers says he has never seen th? warlike spirit of these Spaniards so high. They want to fight som2body. They won't fight over the destruction of the Maine because they realize that in some vay that mutter will be drifted into th> channels of diplomacy, but they are ready to oppose intervention by war. At the bottom of this willingness to go to war is the belief which still obtains that Europe will take sides with Spain. The rewspapers try to foster this opinion by dispatches and articles saying that the United States has moderated its demands because of pressure from the countries of Europe. President McKinley, it is gravely assztted, nas adopted a more pacific tone since he learned that Spain had the friend- ship and the support of other powers. Will Last Until the Crisis. This faith in European intervention will not be destroyed until the crisis comes and it is shown to be lacking. Of all the d2- lusions of the Spanish classes in Cuba it is the most cherished one. When that is gone they may be ready for the peaceful with- Grawal of the Spanish flag. CHAS. M. PEPPER. od CRISIS AT HAND. THE It is che General Opinion of Lenders in Congress. Early in the day the formation was spread among members of the Senate and diouse that the response from Madrid was isfactory, and intense feeling was ex- It became known that the response s not only unsatisfactory from a con- sional point of view, but that’it Was equally uns ed atisfactory to the President and that a categorital an- swer would be required from Spain, to be the j his advisors, and in hands of the President probably six hours and be of a satis- ory cheracter or diplomatic negotia- s would be broken off and interventien resorted to. The possibility that Spain, when con- fronted by this imperative demand, would make any more satisfactory reply than ; that received last night seemed so remote that it was not entertained, and whatever ; lurking hope had been held by the most vative of a peaceful settlement was abandoned. No Promise of Peace. It was said that the reply, being of the character it iS, NO opportunity was of- fered the President to communicate it to Congress as the promise of a peaceful set- tlement of the question. It made evident that Spain is merely seeking delay without the intention of rec- ognizing the independence of Cuba, and the declaration was made by men of responsi- bility in Congress, who are co-operating with the President, that there could be no delay beyond Monday, and that Congress would not consent, nor would the Presi- dent, to any settlement of the question which was not immediate and did not in- voive the independence of Cuba. It was said plainly by men who have not ex- pressed such opinion before that the situa- tion could mean nothing but war. No Further Time. ive Babcock, chairman of the conser Represer republican g@peressional committee, a man of influ and conservatism, said this moruin at the sentiment in Congress hat he was thoroughly convinced hing short of the independence of Cuba would be accepted, and that Congress could not be induced to grant Spain further time than that new in contemplation. He added that he didnot think the President Was uny more disposed than was Congress te accept a settlement which did not in- clude Cuba's indepencens Congress, he would co-operate with the President. He could nov predict what might happen between no and Monday, but thought it improbable that there would be delay later than Monday or that the President’s hand would be forced. Mr. Loudenslager of New Je the opini y expr z n that neither Congress nor \ the Pre. would accept anything short ff Cuban independence. He said he was pot himself opposed to some delay, because he thought it would be beneficial to this government. He thought that Congress would co-oper- ate with the President. Representative Culp of Pennsylvania ex- pressed the opinion that neither Congress nor the President would consider anything short of the recognition of independence. FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE. A Strong Sentiment for a Declaration of War. The Senate committee on foreign rela- tens again today was slow in getting to werk, and notwithstanding the meeting was called for half-past 10 a quorum had ot been secured at 11 o'clock. This ap- psrent lethargy was due to the fact that the committee was for the present inclined te wait entirzly upon the executive and they felt that much would depend upon the cabinet meeting today, and that noth- ing could be done until the purport of de- liberations was m2de known. A strong sentiment has developed in the coramittee for an absolute declaration of war when the time comes to act, and it is on account of the belief that this course may be adopted that the Maine catastrophe is being so thorovghly exploited. The ad- vocates of this course think that the proof of Spanish instrumentality in the explosion is so strong that it could be made to justi- fy a most radical declaration. ‘The more conservative element, however, is disposed to be guided in the form of the Ceclaration by the wishes of the President. Im any event the facts in the Maine affair will be used to support the position taken, and the committee is disposed to make much out of it in justifying its position. The foreign relations committee remain- ed in session until 12:25. The reply of Spain was communicated to the members. After the adjournment of the committee at neon Senator Davis, chairman of the committee, Jeft the Capitol and it was un- derstood went to the White Hovse, The members of the committee were even more non-committal than usual afier this session, and all of them indicated @& their grave countenances and general demeanor that they considered that the crisis had arrived. They refused to reveai any of the pro- ceedings of the session, but some of them stated that the committce could report within thirty minutes if called upon to do so. Still y did not expect to report to- day unless Mr. Davis should be assured by the Chief Executive that it was his wish that they ‘should do so. —— +e The United Siates government has 0} pened a recruiting office at Portiand, Ore., for the | enlistment of men for the navy. AT THE WHITE HOUSE NO MORE CONCESSIONS Rew btrrercete) Conferences With the Leaders of Both Houses, SPAIN'S REPLY FREELY DISCUSSED There May Bea Twenty-Four-Hour Ultimatum. SS SS WAITING FOR THE CABINET ea President McKinley engaged in a number of important conferences prior to the assembling of the cabinet. He breakfasted early and was in his office by 9:30 o'clock, a half hour before he usually goes there. After 4 few minutes with Judge Day, at the conclusion of which the latter an- nounced that a statement would be issued during the day, the President began a conference with Senator Davis, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee. This lasted half an hour and was of the deepest gravity. Other members of the Senate foreign relations committee to hold Jengthy conferences with the President were Senators Lodge and Gray. Representatives Dingley, Grosvenor and Adams were House leaders who held short conferences with the President. A Twenty-Four-Hour Ultimatum. President McKinley has been strongly advisel that the only course now open is to send to Spein a twenty-four-hour ulti- frmatum. He has also been advised that this course is more likely to bring success and peace than to produce wer. The Span- ish character, he has been told, is such that delay makes them impudent and disre- spectful. An immediate demand, it has been put before him, will almost surely result in the American propositions being granted at once. If these propositions are not grant by this process they will never be granted by dilatory and diplomatic tactics. A member of the cabinet of President Harrison says that during the Chilean in- cident, the subject of how to deal with Chile was gravely discussed. President 5 Harrison determined upon an ultimatum of the strongest character, and by this method he quickly settled affairs. Arrival of Spain’s Reply, Spain's response to the demands of Pres- ident McKinley began to reach the White House last night at 10:30 o'clock. It was received on a special wire. The response had been anxiously awaited all the afier- roon. In expectation of its arrival Ass’ ant Secretary Adee of the State Depart- ment was on hand with the State Depart- ment cipher for the purpose of translating the message. While the words were being clicked to the operator, there were assembled with President McKinley a distinguished party of friends and advisers. They were Vice President Hobart, Secretaries Alger and Bliss, Assistant Secretary Day, Senators Allison, Hanna and Spooner. Most of. the members of the party remained with the President until after midnight, but the President did not leave his office to retire until after 1 o'clock this morning. Nothing was given out last night as to the contents of the respense. There was, however, a general understanding that the response, as sent by General Woodford Was unsatisfactory to the President ar to his friends. That was all that could b gathered, but it was sufficient to signify to the people of the country that the crisis had been reached. Spain had not an- swered in a manly or straightforward man- ner. She had sent an answer to a part of President McKinley's demands and left the others open for further negotiations, some- thing which this country will not permit. ~-r es CITEMENT AT TH CAPITOL, t Everybody Eagerly Awaiting Madrid News. The members of the House of Repres tatives were all in a state of suppri excitement this morning. Everybody was eagerly awaiting news from Madrid. Peace, members say, depends upon a_ slender thread. A prominent republican of the House gave it as his opinion that the sit- uation was more critical today than it ever had been. “The reply of the Spanish ministry re- ceived by the President last night,” said he, “is unsatisfactory. But diplomacy is slow, and a great nation cannot be forced to back down in a day.” A republican member of the House for- eign affairs committee said that the order for the release of the reconcentrados would not be satisfactory, and added: “There is no doubt what the ultimate result must and will be. Cuba will be free and inde- pendent. “I think it will require war. I do not see how Spdin can surrender the island without @ resort to hostilities. But there is a much better understanding tcday between the President and the republican lzaders than there has been. Some of the most radical who have talked with him are satisfied that the President will insist upon what they are demanding—the absolute in- dependence of Cuba.” APPEAL OF AUTONOMISTS. They Protest Against Proclaiming the Independence of Cuba. The Cuban government (meaning there- by the present home-rule avthorities in Cuba and not the insurgents) has appealed to the President of the United States to respect the will of the majority of the peo- Fle of Cuba. The appeal declares that the majority represents those in favor of home rule under Spanish sovereighty; that the insurgents are in the minority; that the majority has a mght to rule its own des- tinies; that it would be an injustice for a foreign will, meaning the United States, to impose upon this majority a political regime contrary to its will, and that it would be a great wickedness to dispose of its lot without 1is own consent. The appeal to the President does not in terms protest against the United States securing the independence of Cuba, but, its tenor is to protest against any form of ‘| Cuban government other than that now being carried on by the Cuban authorities. ‘The appeal is signed as follows: “Jose Maria Galvez, president of the Henorable Government of Cuba.” Bete ee was placed in the hands of the lent this morning, and the state=. ment was made that it was the direct ex- Ld, arg of the Cuban government itself, wit! ther inspiration, or knowledge of the Sp4i'M@ government either at Madrid, va or elsewliere. 2 fh Spain Refuses to Consider Further Demands From United States. Government, However, Profeszen to Take a Hopeful View of the Situation. MADRID, Aprii4, 1 p. m.—According to the best information obtainable today Spain has definitely resolved not to make any further concessions to the United States. The Spanish government, however, pro- fesses to take a bright4¥iew of the relations with the United States; and believes peace is secured. The imortant newspape. comment on the note in’this strain. But inquiries made Inst evening of the United States minister, General Stewart L. Woodfcrd, failed to secure anything con- firming the optimistic impressions prevail- ing here. He has so earnestly been the friend of peace throughout that his im- penetrable silence now causes much anxie- ty in diplomatic circles. | General Woodford was busy at the United States legation until late last night. The substance of yesterday's proposals of the Spanish government, the Associated Press correspondent learns, is: 1. Tkat th» insurgents should ask for an armistice, and not the United States 2. That the request for an armistice should be dealt with by the autonomist | cabinet of Cuba and without the interven- tion or good offices of the United States. It is curious to note how littie interest the general public took in yesterday's im- portant conference. Only a few reporters witnessed the arrival and departure of the conferees. General Woodford was the first to emerge, and, smoking a cigar, he walked quietly to his residence. The ministers soon followed and drove separately to their homes. When inform. : of the proposed goverr- ment measures ior the relief of the recon- centrados, the queen regent announced that she would appoint a dadies’ committee, over | which she will personally preside, to take | charge of and educate the orphans of the ar, both Cubans and Spaniards. midnight a workman from Bilbao ar- rived at the box cffice of the Royal Opera Hcuse, where the performance to raise funds for the Spanish navy took place, and presented 50) pe: the national fund. Lame, sim in two Co; wars and the first campaign in Cuba. it proposed to bestow the titie of grandee upon this workman. According to the scheme for the national subscription, every well-to-do Spariard is expected to contribute. 1,000 pesetas and upward, end it ts calculated that a million Spaniards will subscribe the amount named. ee eee SENATE IN SECRET SESSION. Discussing the Proposed Acquisition’ of Danish Islands. The Senate went into executive session horily after meeting’ today on motion of Senator Lodge, member of the committee on foreign relations. The purpcse of the secret session is the consideration of the resolution yesterday reported from the committee on foreign} reiations for the acquisition of the Danish West India The reason for consideration of the mat- ter behind closed doors was the belief that our relations with Spain would necessarily be discussed and that informaticn might be divulged that would be of advantage to that country. The sesxion is not strictly an executive session, but is @ secret legislative session. Senator Lodge opened the proceedings in the secret session with a general statement concerning the advantage of controlling the Danish Islands. He argued that this coun- try should own them because of contingui- ty to own shores:and for strategic pury going over much cf the ground covered in his report of yesterday. Sengger Gray replied, inyopposition to this , basing his antagonism on the ground that it was contrary to the policy of the United States to acquire territory outside of its continental lines, and saying that the possession of the islands would inevitably involve us in international entanglements which would be troublesome and might lead to complications ‘At ‘any time, which could be avoided if we did not have the islands. If we should acquire the islands for strategic purposes their fortification would be a necessity and that would in- volve a great expense. Furthermore, if there was an idea of. utilizing them in case of war with Spain over Guba it should not be forgotten that we had in our own pos- session at Key West territory nearer Ha- vana than either of the Danish Islands. The Center of the War. Senators Frye and Lodge both replied to, this latter point. They stated that it was evident from the developments so far made that Porto Rico rather than Havana would be the center of our war with Spain, and’ that in that event the Danish group would be of inestimable advantage to us. Indeed, they considered it almost ¢ssential to an early ending of the war. They asserteti that Spain's coal supply at Porto Rico was extremely limited, and that it could be practically controlled by us if we should own the Danish possessions in that quarter. ‘They also stated it to be the earnest desire of the administration to control the islands. 5 ————e_____ TO ADJOURN TO MONDAY. Action Taken by the Senate With- out Objection. On moticn of Senator Allison and without objection the Senate agreed today that when it adjourned it be unt#l Monday next. 2+ SPAIN REGRETS DEMANDS. -——— Reply Read to Minister fWoodfora by Ser r Sagasta, LONDON, April 1.—The Daily Mail's seo- ond edition says that at the conference in Madrid Senor Sagasta, the premier, read to Minister Woodford Spain’e reply. The chief demands of the-United States were rejectet, the feeling béing that they are in- consistent with the dignity and honor of any nation. WITH WOODFORD. A Signifiec: Admission Regarding Madrid Sentiment. Th2 conference of the Spanish ministry with Gen. Wooford in Madrid yesterday lasted an hour. The ministers submitted fresh proposals, which Gen. Woodford tele- graphed to Washington. Their nature was | not disclosed. After y2sterday’s cabinet meeting, which | was presided over by the queen regent, the ministers had another hour's confer- ence, after which the following semi-offi- cial note was issued: ‘Captain General Blanco telegraphs an account of a glorious ccmbat of General Luque against the in- surgents commanded by Calixto Garcia, and also makes excellent reports of the progress of the operations, setting forth that the pacifications are so advanced in the western provinces that the concentra- tion of the peasants has been revoked. Public works are also being commenced to give empjoyment to all applicants. In view of this, new and important submissions are expected.” The minister of public worl terview later, said hours had brought a favorable change in the ation. When the minister wa asked if he meant on account of the news frcm Was! He replied: “No. Our feclirgs of s ‘action do not refer to the United § El Libe * an in- in the last twenty-four Spanish minister at W yesterdi at the cabinet coun his impression of the feeling in America, wnich, he declares, is in no way favorable to Spain. He out that the report was only referred to the fore lations commiltee with great ¢ 137 representatives voted for its diate probation without waiting for the propesal, adds Senor Rernabe, was rejected; but the jingoes ap- peared to be great imme- ncument (solution of the crisis) has drawa | much nearer. Th meens to delay matters, but we doubt it.” The paper mentioned then “We ought to apply ourselv: na gain to the of time, or heartily devote oui contrary: In our , it would be ceptable, even prefera to accept exireme measure would cut the knot if we failed to untie it. The si tion is such Struggle, we one.” that by avoiding ext may fall into a still graver Conference With President Yesterday's conference of the republican committee with the ident broke up at 10 minutes to 4 o'clock. It was announce: some of the me resentation would adv called for & at the Capitol to adjourn until Monday. The President gave them jo. understand thai in all probability he would have some communication to make to them by that time and the reasons ho advanced were satisfactory to them. Representative Hopkins of Wlins's, chair- man of the committee, cn his return to the House, said that after spending an hour with the President, Mr. McKinley coa- vinced every member ef the committee that s doing everything that a patriptic an President could do to bring about a just settlement of the Cuban question and that the committee will so report to the conference which sent i —_———. CHRISTINA TO VICTORIA. Spanish Queen Asks England to Ald in Securing Mediation. A London dispatch to the Philadelphia Press says: Your correspondent hears to- night from a High source that the Queen Reren nt of Spain addressed an autograph er to Queen Victoria imp!oring her to use her influence with the British govern- ment to support Austria and France in an attempt to secure ‘opean mediation. This extraordinary step was taken by the queen regert because of the cold reception accorded by the British government to rep- resentations of the Sr h ambassador re- specting mediation. Your informant added: “Queen Victoria simply iorwarded a copy ef the queen regent’s letter to Salisbury, whese policy wil uct be in any way af- iby it. Engla icy of bolsteri The minst three years with two plain alternetives be- fore her in Cuba—to clear up or ciear out. On top of all comes the destruction of the American battle ship by a submarine mine in Havana harbor. “an we wonder the people of the United States are profoundly stirred or that they should demand not only a clearing up, for which the time is past, but a clearing out, for which there is no time too soon?” This fairly represents the view of poli- ticians here, where the opinion still exists that the government will be pressed from the liberal benches of the house of com- mons to recogniz3 the indezendence of Cuba as soon as the United States does so. —— GIBRALTAR OF THE PACIFIC, Gen, Shafter Inspects the Garrison at Fort Baker. SAN FRANCISCO, April 1.—General W. S. Shafter, commanding the Department of California, accompanied by First Lieuten- ant John D. Miles, aid and acting engineer of corps, have inspected the troops and high-power guns at Fort Baker, and found the garrison and ordnance in’ first-class condition. - General Shafter attached great impor- tdnce to Fort Baker's position, and speaks of it as the Gibraltar of the Pacific coast, A water battery will be established at Gravelly Beach, from which direct fire at short range could be delivered against hos- tile fleets which might get into the harbor. Regular monthly inspection of troops at the Presidio was held yesterday, erat SAatotest, HOUCK TO BE ‘WARDEN. Former Sheriff of Allegany County Slated for Good Place. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, M4d., April 1—Ex-Sherift Daniel R. Houck of Mount Savage, this county, one of Senator Wellington’s lead- ing lieutenants, and at present an assist- ant sergeant-at-arms of the United States Senate, is booked for the appointment as warden of the Maryland penitentiary. He is said to have the active. support of Gov- ernor Lowndes. The appointment will be made in May, Brien the le prperpaee will assume control ©! forces cpa” aeng EXTRA IT MEANS WAR Spain's Reply is Very: Unsatisfactory. See «| CUBAN INDEPENDENCE IGNORED ' i No Promise Made to Evacuate the _Island. /ATTEMPT 10 POSTPONE, ACTION | These Questions to Be Referred to Autonomist Legislature. ie A MONTH’S DELAY Spain's reply is unsatisfactory? It makes no proir ses of independence | ¥ to Cuba or of Spanish evacuation of the island. It postpones even the consideration of these questions for over a month by referring them to a body not yet in existence. : The only progress made is in se- curing a promise of Spanish relief for the released reconcentrados, the evident purpose of which promise is to weaken our ground of interven- tion for humanitarian purposes, and to relieve Spain as far as possible fiom the barbarous position which ske would occupy if refusing herself to relieve her starving subjects. She should decline to permit American intervention to save their lives. Briefly Spain’s proposals are as follows: She will revoke the reconcentra- tion orders. She will appropriate three million pesetas ($600,000) for their relief. She will leave the question of peace to be determined by the Cuban au- tonomist legislature, which is to be elected this month and which meets in the first week of May. In the interval she will grant an armistice if it is asked for by the in- surgents. The President will communicate to the Congress so soon as he can prepare a message: The following isan abstract from the telegram received from Gen. Woodford on the evening of March 31, 1898, on the gen- eral situation in Cuba: Hé informs the government of the United States that Gen. Blanco has revoked the bando relating to the reconcentradoes in the western provinces of Cuba, which are understood to be the provinces of Matan- zas, Santa Clara, Habana and Pinar Bel Rio; that the Spanish government has placed at the disposal of the governor gen- eral the credit of three million pesatas ($600,000) to the end that the country peo- ple may return at once and with success to their labor. The Spahish government will accept whatever assistance to feed and succor the recessitous may be sent from the United States in accordance with the plan now in operation. He proposes to confide the preparation for an honorable and stable peace to the insular parliament, without whose con- éurrence the Spanish government would not be able to arrive at the final result, entil the 4th of May, the Spanish govern- ment will not, on its part, object to a sus- pension .of hcstilities if asked for by the insurgents from ‘the general-in-chief, to whom it will belong to determine the dura- Buge. so SARE SES pe se dca name Papper aggre AND FRANCE TO MEDIATE. Dispatch From Madrid Says Peace Hangs on a Thread. LONDON, April 1L—A dispatch to the Daily Mail, which was dated 11 o'clock yes- terday evening, says: “I am assured that France and Russia have asked Spain to | formulate the utmost limits of concessions ; She can make, the two powers evidently intending to mediate.+ “The minister of marine has received hundreds of applications from Spanish and foreign shipowners for lefters patent for privateers to act against America.” ne Correspondencia (semi-official) says: “Peace or war is hanging on a thread. The utterances of American opinion leave little room for hopes of peace. Lut the Problem will have an immediat= sglution. “On receiving Spain's note, Gen! Wood- =) declared he could not immediately nswer, as he had to consult with V h- ington, and asked permission to translate the note into English forthwith, so that Senor Moret (the minister for the colo- nies), who knows English, could revise and approve the translation. This was done. “Gen. Wobddford’s only comment was the expression of his personal wishes for con- cillation and peace “After the confe Pp are still Span’ Senor Moret said: MINNEAPOLIS SAILS FOR HAMPTON. Bunkers Fall PHILADELPHIA States cruiser Minneapolis salied from Leagce Island yard early this morning, and is now steaming down the Delaware river at top speed bound for ‘Hampton Roada, where she will jcin the flying squadron. If the fast cruiser goes straight ahead without dropping anchor to wait for a tide, she should arrive at Hampton Roads to- right. The bunkers of the Minneapolis are Cvertiowlng with coal, and during the past few days all of her ammunition has been aced aboard, so that she is ready for ac- tion. The Minneapolis has only been recently Placed in dry dock and her bottom thor- oughly cleaned and painted. This condition makes it possible to get ‘all of the speed out of the big ship there is in her. The departure of the Minneapolis leaves only two modern warships at League Is'and, the double-turret monitor Miantuno- moh and the harbor defense ram Katahdin. Of these the Misntonomoh will sail within a day or two, and the Katahdin probably eafter. Workmen ere engaged night qnd day on the eight old monitors, and five of them are practically ready for April 1.—The United cruiser Minneapolis anchored at deep Waiter point off New Casile, Del. at 9:20. She will probably wait for high tide this afternoon before proceeding. he Minneapolis made the run from Mar- cus Hook to New Castle, @ gisiance of @bout twenty-three miles, in litle over an hour. —_.___ VIOLATED NEUTRALITY LAWS. Men Arrested in Mexico About to In- vade “Texas. = LAREDO, Tex., April 1—The Mexican court has rendered iis decision in thercases of Andreas Santos, Margarito Cavazos of Valieciiio and Adotfo Rodriguez of San If- fack ico, the three, leaders of the pro- posed Spanish invasion, new held incom- a uevo Laredo by the federal authorities. The men are cha wita Violation of the neutrality laws of Mexico, d the court held that there was mut dence to hold them. Dr. Marti, the principal lcader, am cther prisoners, Laredo within : WILL MAKE A i the will be brought to Nuevo few 8. > ARTIAL REPORT. Plans of the Ohio Senate’s Bribery In- vestigazting Committee. Special Dispatch to Evening Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 1—it is au- thoritatively announced that the commit- tee of the Senate appointed to investigate the bribery ¢ guinst Sena will make a ¢ 1 report before the legis- lature adjourns sine die, and be authorized to sit after the adjournment to ta esti- mony, to accompzny a protest to be sent to the United States Senate. This is to get the iestimeny of Senator Ha Colohel les FP. Dick eck, who have refused to the commit= tee so far. They “pt out of state » not brought uncer the s of the « The coject is ely w get the testimony ot these they ca conveniently gress, anet remain out of after the adjourn=x the ent IN FAVOR OF INTERVENTION, General Exchange of Views in the Fercign Relations Committee. There is no ddubt that the Senz eign relations commitiee is pr report very speedily on the Cuban situation in case it should feel called upon to do 80. There has been 10, poll of the committee and no formulation of a resolu! there has been a general expre views. This expression has so far taken the shape of a resognition of indepead- ence of the Cubans, together with a declar- ation for intervention sufficient to guaran- tee this independence, and the best opin- ion js that such # resolution will be the ultimate result cf the commiitee’s delib- erations if Spain {S$ upon concinuing the Cuban war ani noiding the island. The committee yesterday afternoon nearé Captain Sigsbee of the Maine and Captain Sarker, Secretary Long's naval aid, who went to Key West after the explosion, oa behalf of tne department, to give testimony in. regard to the condition and strength of the navy in the vicinity of Havana, and Captain Sigsbee was questioned as to his cpinion and knowledge of the Maine catas- trophe. The purpose in taking the testi- mony of these naval officers is to incorpo- rate their statements in a report the com- mittee will in it finds it neces- sary to a resolution for intervention? ,