AMERICA AND SPAIN.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 271, 7 April 1898, Page 2

AMERICA AND SPAIN.

POSITION DOUBTFUL. London, April 5. At tbo Pope's suggestion Spain has decided to grant the Cuban rebels a truce. A forecast of President McKinley's message has been received from Washington. It says that the Presider t favours the recognition of Cuba's independence, otherwise forcihle intervention on the part of the United States. Tho Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate has agreed to resolutions in favour of armed intervention on behalf of Cuba. Both Washington and New York are in a state of the wildest excitement, but the more sober opinion prevails that the country will be content to await President McKinley's action if Congress does not force his hand. Router's correspondent at Madrid reports that Don Capdepon, tho Spanish Minister of the Interior, states that as a result of a suggestion by the American Government, the Pope will mediate between the two nations, both of which have accepted his intervention. It is officially denied at Washington that the Pope has consented to mediate between the United States and Spain. Prayers are being offered in the churches throughout Madrid for the success of Spain, in the event of war. The Spanish torpedo flotilla, now on its way to Puerto Rico, has been ordered to remain at Cape Verde until the arrival of four armed cruisers. Tho cruisers will act as a convoy to the flotilla. The Spanish Government is issuing Treasury notes to the amount of 225,000,000 pesetas. The Spanish Government are receiving many requests for letters of marque. Apparently the Pope made the Spaniards accept a tentative offer to mediate. The Americans are angry at the suggestion, and declare they will not accept the intervention of any foreign Power. The tone of Congress is very warlike, and there is a disposition to make the Maine disaster a casus belli. Wall-street and New York circles are still hopeful that peace will be maintained. Fifteen warships at Key West arc ready to make an attack on Tlavana immediately war is declared, while five will attack Puerto Rico, and the American-Asiatic squadron will similarly deal with the Philippines.