The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-08
IT WAS NOT AN ULTIMATUN.
Minister WOOdfOrd'S Note 10 Spain
Was COuched in Friendly Terms.
SPAIN'S REPLY WILL Be MODERATE.
The Commercial Condition of That Copra
try-Practically No Gold In Circulstien.
Exchange Very High and the
Price of Food Affected.

MADRID, Oct. 1T IS semi-ofiicially
announced that the note which General
Stewart l.. Woodford, the United states
Minister, communicated TO the Duke OF
Tetuan. the Spanish Minister for Foreign
Affairs, is no more an ultimatum than II
Is a commentary document. II is couched
in friendly terms.
The Cabinet at Washington expresses
a wish to know when Cuba can be paci-
fed, and requests Spain to reply before
October SOth. so as TO enable the Presi-
dent to incorporate SPANS answer in his
message to Congress.
Premier Sagasta, In agreement with
Senior Gullon, tie Minister for Foreign
Affairs, proposes 10 send a moderate reply
declaring Spain will await events. and Is
taking such measures as consideration
and prudence dictates until the change OF
policy in cuba smooths the relations he
tween the two governments. The answer
will not be drawn up until the prtSenta-
tion OF the reforms IN cuba have been
published.
SPANS COMMERCIAL CONDITION.
WASHINGTON. ID. g.. oct. Consul
General Bowen has reported to the Stats
Department on the commercial conditions
in Spain.
lie says. from the figures. lt would ap-
pear that Spain's trade has not yet been
affected by her military operations In
cuba and the PHILIPPINE Islands. still there
would be a very apparent decrease IN tho
total expectations II the amount Of sup
plies OF all kinds sent out 10 the Spanish
troops could be ascortained, and until tho
Cuban war is ended all statistics or
Spains trade. the Consul says. must DO
accepted as somewhat misleading.
The Consul is informed by foreign com
morcial travellers that there IS A con-
siderably less demand for foreign goods
I'm Spain than a year ago. and that tho
trade outlook is not bright.
United states exports 10 Spain consist
chiefly OF cotton. petroleum. slaves. and
i'm normal times amount 10 about
$lNW000o but during the present year VIII
amount 90 about $4,000 000.
AMERICAN BICYCLES.
The Spaniards care little for our agri-
cultural implements and machinery. Our
wheat they consider too fine. and what
OF II they buy they mix with coarser
Russian grades. They consider our bicy-
cles the best I'm the world but as they
are more expensive than English. French
and German makes. fewer are imported.
spain. llt 1bNnul HtNrt nh1 "a hirN pro-
tective tariff and IL operates adversely
TO the United States. as We have no
treaty with her according lower rates.
Another serious question IS that Of ex-
change Gold Is at a premium OF oyer %
per cent. Seven years ago 100 Desctas In
Spanish silver or paper would buy 100
francs worth Of French goods. to-day lD
pesetas would have 20 be paid for them
silver, paper and copper. all on par
with each other. are the only moneys
used IN local commercial transactions,
and IN the custom-houses. There Is prac-
tically no gold circulation I'm Spain.
Exchange being so high the prices Of
food and Of living are. of course. affected.
and the general tendency now Is 10 adj
vance the prices Of all commodities. Ger
tain English. German. and French firms
during the past two years have establish
ed factories i'm Spain 10 meet tho new
conditions.
THE CORTEs' DISSOLUTION.
WASHINGTON. u. c.. oct. Tho
state Department has not yet been off,
ciallv Informed Of the purpose Of the
Spanish Government 10 dissolve the
Cortes in December, as indicated IN
Madrid cablegrams. II was expected.
however. that IT would be found neces-
sary for the Cabinet 10 go into the coun-
Try I'm order TO secure the support Of
majority or the Liberal policy toward
cuba. inasmuch as the present Cortes
has a clear Conservative majority whom
ever that party's clement are brought to-
gether.
CHANGE or POLICY.
LONDON. oct. S.-Th' Madrid CORES
pondent Of The Times referring 10 the
Cabinet Council yesterday Thursday,
says:
"rhe Cabinet was unanimous IN tho
opinion that the system of warfare IN
Cuba must be completely changed. Spe-
clai attc ntiol was drawn 20 the dcplorable
condition Of the sick and wounded soldiers
now arriving This aspect of the case
was considered az the direct instlgation
OF the Queen Regent
MAD3lD. oct IA Cabinet Council nc
which the Queen Regent presided, was
held mere to-day. When the Ministers
separated. the Premier. Senior Sagasta, an'
nOunced 10 tine newspaper men that no
final decision had been taken IN cOnncc-
tiOu with the report which Spain Will
mako 10 the note Of the United States
handed 90 the Duke Of Tetuan. when he
was Minister Of Foreign Affairs, By tho
United States Minister, General stewart
l.. WOOdfOrd
FL HeraldO SAYS: 1--WE understood that
the government All express It's condolences
that the new policy 10 be pursued with re.
gard 10 Cuba will produce "A change IN
the attitude Of the United States