AMERICA AND SPAIN.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 270, 5 April 1898, Page 2

AMERICA AND SPAIN.

AWAITING AN ANSWER.

WAR LIKELY. London, April 2. THE United States Congress has adjourned till Monday in order to obtain a final answer from the Spanish Government to President McKinley's proposals with rogard to the situation in Cuba. His proposals require Spain to proclaim an armistice with Cuba until October next, tbe United States using the interval to make peace permanent, and also to rolieve the distress in the island. It is understood that Senor Sagasta, tbe Spanish Premier, in bis reply, resents the interference of tbe United States Cabinet in the affairs of Cuba, and insists that the request for an armistice must come from tbe insurgents themselves. la that case the Spanish Government are prepared to suspend hostilities in the island, and to convene a meeting of the Cuban Parliament in May. They are also prepared to accept American assistance for the relief of distress in Cuba, and to grant 3,000,000 pesetas to enable residents in the island to resume their ordinary occupations. Reports received from Madrid state that Spain will refuse to make any further concessions than those stated in the Premier's reply. The Times states that President McKinley's message on Monday will decide whether there will be peace or war. He will (says the Times) be able to throw in his weight for peace if Spain offers a reasonable compromise. The news from Madrid, however, discourages this hope. A performance given in the Madrid Opera House, in aid of the national fund for strengthening the navy, netted £140,000. The Queen-Regent and members of the Cabinet were present in the boxes, for which they paid £SOOO each. Spain has bought Mr H. L. B. McCalmont's yacht Giralda, the price paid being £IOO,OOO. She has a speed of 22 knots. Some of the Powers are strongly pressing the Queen-Regent and her Cabinet to grant an immediate armistice to the Cuban insurgents.