Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-28
THE SPANISH REPLY
"lmpertinent Disingenuousness and
Thinly-Veiled Sarcasm
NOT A FRANK, FRIENDLY Note
Evidently Written With a View to
Gain Time.
EMPRESS SIONS IRONICAL

The Sagasta note. an abstract of which
was received by the administration yester-
day. is regarded by persons of the admin
istration who have seen II as a piece OF
impertinent disingenuousness and thinly
veiled sarcasm. 1t is correctly described as
in no sense reply to the note sent to
Spain through Minister Woodford, but as
diplomatic chicanery, intended to evade and
to convey insir tions insulting could
safely be indulged in. covered in the soft
language of diplomacy. Most of the public
comments on the character of the letter this
morning were conspicuous for extraordi-
nary obtuseness in assuming that the com
munication is more satisfactory than was
expected
This inference IS not warranted, unless
it was expected that the letter would be
couched in rude ard inso.ent forms of
speech. Such forms are not the usage of
diplomacy, and this letter is none the less
unsatisfactory on account of its delicacy of
phr2Seology.
The part of the communication which
was probably intended to be construed as
reply to Minister Woodford conveys moth
ing, and the reference to the attitude of
the United States is insolent in its infer
ence, though couched in friendly phrases.
The implied inSolence is apparent as to
make the friendly forms of expression
nothing short of ironical. The note is OBJ
viously written with a view to gain time
and to be read in Spain as defiance to
the United States, while represented in
this country to be conciliatory and COM
plant.
There is an apparent assumption that
American diplomacy is too obtuse to de-
tect the insoience which the Spanish popu-
lace VIII recognize and be gratified by. The
acceptance of the good offices of the United
States is peculiarly characteristic of Span
ish diplomacy. 1t is practically a sugges-
ton that if We cease to encourage the Gu
ban insurgents and check filibusterng il
will be gratifying to the Spanish govern
ment, and the intimation that might
influence the insurgents to accept alleged
Spanish reform carries with it the impli-
cation that We have some indirect author
ity over the Cuban insurgents and respons-
ibility for them.
From Spanish sources emanates the
statement that the reply is extremely
frank and friendly. and the administration,
Tot desiring to precipitate trouble and sin
cereiy hoping that the developments of the
next two weeks may make il possible to
avoid trouble. is well satisfied that the
public should believe the Sagasta letter to
De conciiiatory and satisfactory. 1t may
even be that some members of the admin
lStratOn are wiling TO close their minds
to the obvious impression conveyed in the
letter and to accept it rather than to find
cause for irritation.
But If such a disposition exists It is con-
hned to very few persons, and is not eIl-
teTtained by those most directly connected
with the correspondence
An Omciais Opposite View.
On the other hand, high official of the
administration says he regards Spain's re-
ply to Minister Woodfords representations
on behalf of the United States as concilia-
tory and In no wise offensive either in tone
or in substance. The same official also said
that the Spanish cabinet had acted with
commendable promptness under the cir
ON h...l -Ir
sire TO meet the expressed wishes of the
United States for an ameloration of the
conditions Of the people of Cuba as well as
OF the brutal methods of warfare adopted
by Weyler.
One proof of this friendly purpose to
meet the views of this government, the
official said, was the immediate recall of
Weyler and the appointment in his stead
of Blanco, man of recognized humane
tendencies in the conduct of military on
eratfons. and another proof was the prom
ise to give the Cubans autonomy as lib
eral as that enjoyed by the most favored
British province, such as Canada for in
Stance.
Minister Woodford's cipher message is
not so long as was at first supposed con-
tanning only $40 symbols each of which
represented, however. one or more words
or sentences when fully deciphered 1t was
announced at the State Department TODAY
mat none OF the correspondence between
spain and the United States will be made
public for the present, and it is probable
that it will be withheld until the President
deems it expedient to communicate it to
the Congress for such action as may be
necessary.
The matter will be considered at the
meeting OF the cabinet tomorrow when Ii
Is expected a decision will be reached as to
whether the note of the Spanish premier
calls for reply at this time. 1t is proba-
bic that action of that kind will be defer
red, however, until the President returns
from his trip to Ohio, inasmuch as il is
known that the President Of
cabinet are OF opinion that there is moth
ing in existing conditions to call for imme-
diate action
To Intercept a Filibuster.
As an earnest of the purpose of the ad-
ministr alton TO enforce the neutrality laws
in the case of Cuba. the Secretary of the
Navy has ordered two warships to proceed
to the vicinity of the Florida KEYS and
the Bahamas for the interception, If pos
sible. of the Silver Heels the vessel which
recently sailed from New York on an al
legged flibustering expedition to Cuba. 1t
is said the officials feel sensitive of the.
criticisms Of their conduct in permitting
the departure Of that vessel after having
been warned of her hostile mission and
are determined to make reparation by her
capture. II possible. before she accom-
pitshes her alleged purpose
The two men-of-war sent after her are
the Montgomery and the Annapolis hot n
of which have been engaged for some time
in patrolling the coast of Florida They
started from Key West yesterday on their
mission. but in view Of the long start of
the silver Heels II is not believed thar
either of them Will be able to catch un
with her. or II so that II will be i'm time
TO interfere with the accomplishment OF
her mission 70
Although the Silver Heels is srpposed tn
be in the vicinity of the Bahamas :, -;
felt that by this time she has transferred
all her contraband stores TO the steamer
Dduntiess OF scme other swift vessel bet
ter able to effect landing in Cuba.