The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-28
SPANISH PEOPLE EXCITED.
4 GUARD FURNISHED GEN. TOUD-
FORD IN ms JOURNEY TO MADRID.
II Was Thought That TIC Bore n Wnriikc Mes.
snEe. and re TeicEraph- tho state Dcpnrt-
mcnt Tor Formulation to Publish the Tcht or
tho Note uc Gave to the Duks OF Tctuan.

WASHINGTON. Sept. Minister Woodf0rd
has evidently become much alarmed over the
excited feeling among the Spanish people in
regard to the reported attitude of the United
States in Cuban affairs. He telcgrarhcd the
state Department several days ago for per.
mission to make public the text of his note to
the Duke uf Tetuan, which embodied the in.
structions given him by Secretary sherman,
basing the request on the ground that the pub
LEGATION would allay the popular feelings against
the American Government and its Minister at
Madrid. IL is now an opon secret here that
the instructions were Of the friendlicst charac-
ter, and went no further than a tender Of the
good offices OF the United States toward bring
Ing tho struggle in Cuba to AN end in the quick.
est time possible.
Minister Woodford's coming had been her
aided in Spain by sensational stories about the
character OF the propositions he was directed to
submit to the Spanish Ministry. When he
reached San Sebastian tho Spanish people had
come to tho conclusion that he brought a message
from President Mckinley which would amount
practically to a declaration OF war, for Spanish
honor would necessarily compel the Government
TO construe any hint of Intervention or rcCos-
milton Of belliGcrenCy into "a threat OF hostility.
After the Minister had made a formal call on
tho Duke OF Tetuan TO discuss the interest of
the United states in the settlement OF the Cuban
struggle and to present his note outlining the
policy OF President Mckinley, the San Sebastian
CORES pendent OF a Paris newspaper added fuel
to the popular fire by a despatch which repre-
scented Gen. Woodford as saying that the war
must end before Nov. l or the United states
would be Obliged 10 take a hand in bringing
about that result.
The text of the despatch was cabled to this
country and created u short-lived sensation,
but the speedy contradiction OF its contents in
The Sun and other newspapers Gained any
excitement in America. But in Spain the ut
terance of the French correspondent, which,
in view or a knowledge OF the true state OF the
case can be attributed only to wild guessing,
will not down, despite denials from the Minis.
ter OF Foreign Affairs. Popular Indignation
and the Spanish Government felt called upon
TO furnish IA guard TO the American Minister
in his railroad journey from San Sebastian to
Madrid and from Inc railway station in Ma
drid to the American legation:
All this lily suppressed feeling, OF hostility:
10 the country he represented and to himself
caused Gen. Wooiiord 10 END the request tor
leave to give tho text OF his note 10 the press:
Secretary sherman Endorsed the suggestion OF
the Minister and sent the request to President
Mckinley. Somewhat to their surprise word
the President TODAY that lie Thought It best 10
Bg]siSi,R one hrs psli tn.t mh rS9 M shs Ep TsKifn'I; 1t ms Is
at lenox the other day they discussed the ad-
visibility Of making public Gen: Woodford's
blf anu ttiht t"c 'l'hitlSh 4AAsl -
his Government for its views.
The probability il that the President will
talk over Gen. Woodford's suggestion with the
Cabinet when he returns to Washington, and
that its publication will be postponed not
more than "a week. Of course, tho Spanish
authorities have no right to determine what
shall be done in the matter. but no i'll feeling
could result II they acQuiesced in Gen. Wood
ford's desire. II is not known positively that
Schor Dupuy de Lone has communicated with
the Duke OF Teiuan on the subject.
In fact. the irtiination was given to-day that
whether spain Is agreeable or not the note Will
be furnished to the newspapers, before any
great lapse of time, but IL is hoped by the Ad-
ininistration that the Madad authorities will
acquicsCe.
The suggestion Of Gen. Woodford indicates
very clearly. even without the knowledge of
ether information. that the contents of his
note are entirely pacific in language and in
tent, and cannot be reasonably construed into IA
threat.
Statements from Madrid that Minister Wood,
ford may be withdrawn In certain contin:
gencies and a proclamation issued TO the world
by President Mckinley protesting against
SPANS treatment Of Cuba cannot be verified
here. state Department officials say they have
never heard OF such II policy.