The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-03
MINISTER WooDFonD,s LETTER
It JustIncs the Unitrd states for ConcerniuE
Itself About Cuba.

MINISTER WooDFoRD's LETTER
1t J.u'tInCs the Unitrd states for Concerning
Itself About cuba.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-From what can be
learned hero the Woodford letter may be best
described rs one wherein the President has
taken the Spanish Government into his cont.
denco, and frankly made known all the elements
Of the situation in the most courteous diplo-
matte language. 1t is n peaceful document, be-
cause 1t plainly shows that no disturbance of
our friendly relations with Spain is desired or
expected, provided the situation in Cuba can DO
so amcliorated as to avoid that calamity.
The justilcat on OF tho United States for con-
corning itself about Cuba is found In n clear
presentation OF the great losses sustained by
American interests on tho island. and by the do
struCtion of our trade for several years. Tho
cost to tho United States OF our vigorous and
long.continuel efforts to suppress hlibustcring
has been enormous. Our Government has not
only acted in good faith in attempting TO com
pei an observance OF our neutrality laws, but IL
has acted with zeal.
As to the sentiment of our citizens, tho infor-
nation given Spain is very definite and en-
phatic, and this branch OF the subject includes a
reference to the unmiStaknble attitude of Con-
gress. The President does not expect to DO able
to prevent decided action by that body. If
things in Cuba shall not have changed for the
better when Congress meets, 1t will be difficult.
II not impossible, TO prevent hostile legislation
which would bind the Executive.
1t Is probable that that portion Of Gen Wood
ford's letter which discusses these features ia
the part which has been characterized In the
Spanish press as an ultimatum. 1t certainly
carries the idea that II would be well II. through
diplomatic channels. the basis for a cessation Of
70 --.tl l. - a-.. --u
meets. This Is not fixing a time within which
reply from Spain is expected, but explaining. in
Ing with Spain. that the period intervening be.
tween the present and the assembling OF Con
son for friendly negotiations-.nfter that the
course. be found In Gen. Woodford's letter, but
1t will be the natural and logical ABDUCTION from
it's statement Of the general sentiment of the
country in and out OF Congress-.
Gen. Woodtord bears a message of peace. In
that he Is instructed to tender the good offices
Of the United States to bring hostilities to an
end. 1t will also be mad clear by him that the
tanning friendly relations with Spain, and that
1t has no desire to interfere further in the affairs
there, and that it has no design upon the island.
The letter Is described as being couched
throughout in as calm diplomatic language as
the atrocities of the situation will admit. In
other words. there are some emphatic passages
IN it, and some which will probably re,waEen
tho echoes over Secretary's SherInan's employ.
ment Of plain English in discussing the seal
question. The President himself is represented
p po riib% Becomes a lke pnwSS tIbo r ~ ib und pn MnSa nna
OF the Woodford letter, 1t will satisfy the coun-
try. This is equivalent to saying that 1t is very
Tar IRON being a paper OF words without solid
The question of the subsidy which the United
States contributes to the Canadian Pacific will
be launched in the Senate at an early day of tho
session. The bill to repeal this subsidy will DO
p Saitl inie IN lsnEuA those wsi Senators Wi5I rS @So have Re t Gx,
matter in hand intend that the fight this time
shall DO to a finish. Senator Elkins is the leader:
He has IL In mind TO frame a measure that will
mean only one thing, and be readily understood
BY ordinary inte!lects.
The recent opinion on tho subject from the
Department Of Justice is now regarded as one
mainly designed to hold the matter for the full
discussion in Congress which is now assured.
The argument that the question had not been
such a clause was in tho bill. made it seem best
acting with full knowledge. The consideration
of the subject will call together one OF the most
from the lobby for revenue, there will DO the
regularly employed attorneys OF the Canadian
Pacific. the New England delegation both in the
House and Senate. and strong representative
men from the near Northwest. Our transconti.
mental lines will be well represented. The Ca
here. and the boast about him in the meetings
Of tho directors OF that English military line, up
has been that he never failed to obtain a vance
partmcnts. or at the White House. which could
directly or remotely affect the interests OF the
road. How be came to fail in the last case he
has not yet been able to determine.
Heretofore these agents have played upon the
prevailing prejudices against railroads and cor.
porations. and have had considerable success in
frightening Congressman with the idea that II
they acted for corporations they would be
marked men with a large class of voters. But
now it has become so clear that this Canadian
road is really a line hostile in all its interests
to those OF the United States that as between
this line and our own Americans will stand in a
body for the latter. This belief concerning the
foreign road Ia growing so ra pidly and becoming
so strong as to be n new element. and a power,
full one. and one that will not fail to make itself
felt in the coming open discussions.
The seal conference is TO be held. whether Eng
land and Canada appear or not. The intima.
tions from London that they may not be present
Is accepted here as a confession under the SheT.
man arraignmcnt. But Russia and Japan are
coming, and the decisions reached by them in
conjunction with the United States will be en-,
forced, whether Great Britain is satisfied or dis
pleased. IL. V. BoYNroN.