Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-25
THE REPLY OF SPAIN
1t Has Not Yet Been Received by
the State Department.
MUCH SPECULATION REGARDING IT
What is BeIieyed to Be Its
Basis.
FACTS TO CONTROVERT IT

Tt is stated with the utmost positiveness
by Secretary Sherman and his assistants al
the State Department that the reply of
Spain to the United States had not been re-
Ceived up to = O'Clock today, notwithstand-
ing all reports TO the contrary.
specific denial is made of the report
that :-Ou0-word cipher message from Min
lister Woodford was received Saturday or
since.
Under these circumstances, it is unlikely
that any conclusion has yet been reached
by the executive authorities here to the
next move the part OF this government
There was an abundance of speculation in
anI about the State Department today as
to the issue presented by Spains reply. as
briefly summarize! in cable reports. bur
from authoritative source could IL be
learned that the administration mad out
lined any line OF policy to meet the situa-
ton now presented.
Secretary sherman did not go to the
White House during the morning. and As
SlStaGt Secretary of State Day has gone to
Ohio. 81 that there was no opportunity for
conference with the President on the Span
isL-CuhaE situation.
Probable Basis of Spain's Reply.
1t is not doubted among officials that the
basis of the SPANS reply to Mr. Wood
United States has not observed the re-
quirements of international law in the mat
ter of preventing filibusterins. In this case
the State Department will have some peril
ncnt facts present that, 1t is believed
by the officials, will onpletcly ALLEVIATE
from Spain any sympathy that she has at
tr3cted from other European nations on
that score. 1t is asserted positively that
in no single case where the Spanish au-
hay 70. h1 1tlti i'm
of our government the fact that an Illegal
expedition was about to start from our
shores for Cuba has it neglected to use
all the means permitted by our laws to
prevent the start.
It has been so indulgent in this respect
rs 10 accept statements from the Spanish
o'nc1als. not accompanied by proofs of the
fat Is alleged, but mere suggestions that
they had reason 10 believe that an expedi-
ton Was forming. In cases our govern
1aent has proceeded to lengths in restraint
ot American commerce on insufficient evil
derce furnished by the Spanish govern
mcnt that has resulted in the preference
of larSe claims 10y American ship owners
fer Illegal detention of their ships. Then
the expense Of maintaining patrols along
the Atlantic and gulf coasts has been yer-
heavy Every time the State Department I
has beer. Obliged to call upon collector at
port the result has been a heavy bill of
expenses for tugs, special officers and
other charges while the Attorney Cen
ecGtive departments. have been put to
Tore or less trouble and expense.
The Gulf Coast PATROL
The Navy Department especially has been
embarrassed. owing to the necessity for
diyertins vessels from other places for the
d.sagreeahle Florida patrol. One official
roughly estimated the expense the United
states has been put to 10 protect the Cuban
coast for Spain at about S2U=I0oo This is
PROBABLY large estimate. but one naval
officer who is thoroughly cognizant Of the
strain put upon the department by the
patrol stated that it would really he cheap
er for the United States to send a fe-r
10 Cuba and blockade the coast there.
against incoming flihusters than TO try TO
stop them on cur own extensive coast line
Altogether the officials here are confident
Of their ability to show that the soveru-
nent has more than complied with the re-
Gs!.rtnentS of International law which as
iaid Gown in the Alabama arbitration. sim
Ply demands that nation ''use due dill
S"Ice 10 prevent the departure of hostile
eNr editions
On this phase OF the case the corresoon-
Geice may be kept alive between the State
It tp2fenent and the Spanish government
uh'h congress meets. but 1t is expected
'H~t unless some results in the direction
OF the suggestions of Mr. Woodford ar
forthcoming by that time the PrcsiIe nj
VII refer the entire matter to Congress.
and await its order
Feeling in London.
LONDON, October 2J.-Tbere uere froa
offerings Of American securities I'm this
market today owing to a pronounced fol
N& that Spain's answer to Minister Wood
Iord note would lead to a rupture be-
tween the two countries