The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-09
CABINET OPPOSES DELAY IN cUBA.
Indications OF n Protest from WashIngtsn
Against the Spanish A1Iniatry's Policy.

Indications OF n Protest from Washingteu
Against the spauinh RzIniatry's Policy.
WASHINGTON. Oct. s.-While tho regular
meeting of the Cabinet held to-day did no. re-
suit in any important action, 1t had an interest
ing bearing on the Cuban question. There are
indications that the Administration does not In.
tend to allow the Spanish Ministry TO postpone
consideration Of the situation in the per-
turbed island until next March without o pro-
test or something more emphatic from
the United States. Tho announcement in
Madrid yesterday that this policy had been
determined on met with severe criticism by some
Of the members OF Mckinley 5 official family. and
developed q feeling OF hearty Americanism that
will undoubtedly DO productive Of decisive
measures by the President to bring the war to
a close IL the present Government of Spain per
sists in its reported intention to delay the pro.
posed Cuban reforms or thwart the desire Of
this country for some speedy settlement. 40
cording to trustworthy authority. the President
and his Cabinet are convinced that the Sagasta
Ministry can do something to ameliorate the
condition Of things in Cuba without re~sorting to
what they consider the temporiZing cxpedient
OF calling a general election to determine the
political character of a new legislative govern.
ment.
Minister Woodford has expressed TO the
Spanish authorities the earnest desire of Presi-
uenL MChln!ey tnaU the lnnulnan concentration
order Of Weyler, by which thousands OF nom
combatants are forced to remain in the large
owns where food is 80 scarce that many are
dying of starvation, be revoked. and the suffer-
ing people permitted to return to their farming
and other means OF livelihood. This request, 10
was maintained at to'day's meeting, can be
complied with at once, and docs not require
submission to tho Cortes. 1t was also held
that the delay Of Sagasta in recalling Wey-
Ter did not show a sincere intention 10
stop the butchery OF the Cubans. The members
Of the Cabinet believe that Sagasta can inaueu-
rate his proposed reforms Immediately. They
think that a new Cortes, with a Liberal majority.
will not be necessary to accomplish the reported
purpose Of the present Ministry OF granting ac-
tual reforms to Cuba. The exchange of views at
the meeting showed m agreement between
President Mckinley and his advisers that five
months was too long q postponeinent of the con-
sidcration Of questions which have required
settlement for two years.
What action will be taken cannot be toretold
at th is time. even by the President and the Cab
met officers. Official confirmation OF the re-
ported policy OF the Sagnsta Ministry has NOT
been received and the Administration will be
obliged, necessarily. to await c~ontirmatory adj
vices from Minister Woodford before adopting .
new line Of procedure. Nothing has come
from Gen. Woodford since his despatch an
nouncing the formation Of the new Spanish
Ministry, and this absence of news encourages
the President to believe that the policy Of delay
has not been definitely adopted. The Govern.
ment knows nothing to confirm the information
cabled from Madrid that an answer will be given
by Spain to Minister Woodford's note on Oct.
20. but there is a belief in official circles that ID
is true.
The state OF affairs prevailing in Havana.
where members OF the volunteers are paradlnR
the streets shouting for the retention OF Wcyler.
was also discussed at the Cabinet meeting with
reference to the safety Of Americans In the
Cuban capital. Some fear was expressed that
the riotous demonstration OF tho volunteers
might cause an attack on tho United States
Consulatc.General. but Mr.. Springer, who 10
acting as Consul.Gcneral In tho absence OF Gen.
Lee. has not sent any alarming kilograms on
tho subject TO the State Department.