Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-13
SPAIN UNABLE TO SAY WHEN CUBA
WILL BE CONQUERED.
HoPEs.IHAT II WILL BE SOON.
THINKS PROMISED REFORMS WILL
HAVE GOOD EFFECT.
Intimates That Pacihcation Would Be
More Rapid bat for American
Filfbustering-Gover
Proceeding With Its
Autonomy Plans.

Madrid, Oct 12-It Is semi-oflcially ahe
nouIeed that the reply of Spain to the
note presented by the United States min
lister, General Stewart L. Woodford. has
been drafted by the minister for foreign
affairs. Senior Gullon, and will be submitted
to the cabinet at its meeting tomorrow.
The reply. 1t is stated. will say that Spain
is unable to fix exactly the date when the
war will be over. but the ministers are
persuaded 1t will not be long. because ''the
situation of the rebels is critical and the
efforts of the Spanish troops are sure CT
! success. Owing to the rebel situation and
the concession of autonomy. administrative
and economic. which will be effective be-
fore January, the government hopes actual
hostilities will finish shortly"
Spain, 1t is contended, thinks the reforms
and the activity Of the Spanish troops are
sufficient elements to secure the immediate
pacihcation Of the island, which, 1t is as
serted. would have been more rapid IL
the rebels had not had the succor of fill
busters who. under the shelter of the
American flag, have contributed to main
tain this state of affairs"
The government has decided that Gen.
eral Primo de Rievera is to retain COM
mand in the Philippine islands in order
that he may initiate the proposed reforms
and reorganize that colony
United States Minister Woodford was re-
ceived in audience by the queen regent
this afternoon. The reception was OF the
most cordial character.
A private cable message from Washing
ton declares that President Mckinley will
endeavor to induce the insurgents to ac-
cept autonomy, and, II they refuse. he will
do his utmost to put an end to agitation
and to prevent flibustering, as he believes,
now that Captain General Weyler IL re-
called. that congress will support this pol
ICY"
A semi-official statement says that, by
employing native volunteers in Cuba in
stead of European troops. the expenses of
the campaign would decrease, and the op-
erations against the insurgents would be
conducted more rapidly.
Senior Gullon, the minister for foreign af-
fairs, has communicated to his colleagues
the views of the European and American
press in regard to the new ministry, point
ing out that the foreign newspapers are
almost unanimously Of the opinion that the
programme of Senior Sasasta. the new
premier of Spain, has caused an important
change in the attitude of the Washington
cabinet. leading to the belief that the
decision on the Cuban question will now
enter upon more favorable phase and
demonstrate that the steps taken by the
ministry have had an excellent effect in
showing the government Is choosing prac-
tical means to solve the existing diff
culties.
The minister for the colonies. Senior Mo-
ret announced at the cabinet meeting, with
a view to proving the sincerity of the gov
ernment's promise to grant autonomy to
Cuba, that he had telegraphed to Senior
Montoro. the leader Of the Autonomist par
ty. asking him to nominate candidates for
appointment for some of the important
posts under the Cuban administration.