The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-29
SPANS NOTE IS EVASIVE.
NoTA sATISFACTORY REPLT TO Il
WOODFORD,S APPROXIMATIONS.

u IL Practically = Rejection or tho oTered
Mediation or the United states TO Emu the
war In Cubn-It says ir we stop Fiiibuster-
ting the war Will Be Ended In short Order.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2s.-The more officials OF
the Government who have access to the copies
OF the Sagasta note pcrusc that remarkable docu-
ment tho less are they impressed with the belief
held yesterday that IL means anything at all. IL
certainly does not contain a direct answer TO the
diplomatic inquiries made By Minister Wood
ford in his communication to the Duke OF
Tetuan. in which the friendly offices OF tho
United States to bring about an adjustment OF
the SpAnish-Cuban troubles were rendered. In
response to that tender the language or tho
Spanish note Is %evasive, complicated. and eN-
ceedingly crafty, and can be construed in several
ways. The tender OF good offices is not rejected
nor directly accepted. Schor Sagastn has an
syered the request of this country to be permit
ted to act as mediator by thanking the United
States Government for its cordial interest, and
irving some advice about how the friendly offices
Of America can be best used. He wants the Nc
Kinley Administration to show its friendliness
by supprcssing the means OF succor which the
Cuban insurgents have in America. and ex.
presses a willingness. in terms OF thinly yelled
sarcasm, to have this Government use its good Of
nces in getting the Cubans to accept the reforms
which Captaln-1cntThl lalCO IhS pcCH III
structed to inauguratc. Much space is given in
che note to an explanation of these reforms,
which are cited as an evidence of Spain's desire
to meet the wishes of the United States. Other
evidences OF a desire to retain the good will of
this country arc referred too. such Rs the re-
call OF W ylcr and the intention to revoke his
brutal concentration order.
Throughout the note the language used Is
polite md friendly, but it is not so brimming
over with the spirit Of brotherly love as was at
FIRST reported. In fact, all the expressions used
are not honeycd, particularly in that part Of the
note regarding the failure of the United States
to suppress flibustering. The United States
are referred to as furnishing the main reliance
OF the insurgents, and 1t is suggested that, with
American support withdrawn. peace would be
restored in short order. Some feeling is shown
in the re 'erences to flibustcring. coupled with
the advice that America can show q friendly
spirit by stopping contraband assistance to the
Cubans.
Whatever may be the construction placed on
the language of the greater part OF the note,
there is no mistaking the meaning OF references
to the struggle for Cuban independence. Sd
Gasta says plainly that Spain does not propose
to give up Cuba, and this information is ex-
pressed in terms which are not the less en-
phatic because they are polite. Taking it all in
all. the note is not a great Improvement. from
an American standpoint, on the reply which
Spain sent t the representations made by Sec.
rotary Olney just before the end Of the Cleveland
Administration. Its most marked difference
from the answer to Mr.. Olney is a seeming earn
est desire to please the United States by putting
in operation the reform scheme started by the
Liberal party on its accession to power.
President Mckinley will present the note to
the Cabinet at a meeting to be held tomorrow.
but it is believed in official circles that no
definite decision in regard o the future policy
of the Administration will be reached. The
President is going away tomorrow. and no
meeting OF the Cabinet will be held for q week,
30 that there will be plenty of time for the con-
sidera ion Of the next move before he secs his
advisers again. The almost general impression
II that the President will transfer the Cuban
question to Congress for action. with the inten-
ton OF abiding by the course the legislative
branch wants him to pursue.
Private advices received here indicate that
friends of Gen. Weyler in Havana are preparing
to hold a big demonstration in his honor when
feared. Weyler has not obeyed the orders sent
from Madrid to disband the home volunteer
organizations OF Havana who paraded the
streets Of the Cuban capital and engaged in
riotous conduct when the recall Of the Butcher"
was decided on by Sagasta- He has a large
following among civilians as well as militia III
Havana, and, according to the information
received, is holding the volunteers together, in
disobedience of orders. for the same overt pur-
pose.