Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-05
MINISTER WOODFORD
He Announces the Formation Of a New
Spanish Ministry.
SIgasta's Former Connection With
Instructions Recalled.


After a long silence Minister Wood
ford has at last been heard from by the
State Department. A cablegram has been
received from him dated Madrid, 7:4O last
evening, addressed to Secretary Sherman.
making the following announcement of the
appointment of such officers of the new
Spanish cabinet as may have to do with the
foreign policy of the new government:
New ministry formed. Sagasta, presi-
dent. Gullon, minister Of state; Moret, min
lister Of colonies.
"(signeO wooDFoRD."
Sagasta's Former Action.
The composition of the new Spanish cab
met is the subject of much conjecture in
administration and diplomatic circles. 1t
is felt that the three powers of the new
regime, so far as it affects Cuban affairs.
are Sagasta, Gullon and Moret, and these
three names are familiar in State Depart
R.ent records in connection with previous
negotiations concerning independence, au-
tonomy and the other movements affecting
the island. 1t is recalled that SagaSta was
minister If state at the time our Secretary
of State, Hamilton Fish, sent to MI Caleb
Cushing, United States minister at Madrid,
the instructions which have since become
f;mouS laying down the policy of the
United States with respect to Cuba. The
records do not disclose that any progress
was made through Sagasta toward auton-
omy, although this Is in part explained by
the face that SagaSta was mainly con-
cerned at that time in putting down the
Carlist rebellion and checking internal up
risings. The Gushing instructions, which
went before Sagasta, as Minister Wood
fords instructions on the same general
subject will go before the same Spanish
statesman, made the following specific
statements:
ITO such a line of policy (autonoiny)
especially as it relates to Cuba, the United
States would make no objection; nay. tl.ey
could accord to it hearty cooperation and
support. as the next best thing to the ab-
solute independence of CUBA. Of course
the United States would prefer to see all
that remains of colonial America pass from
that condition to condition of absolute
independence of Europe. But We might
well accept such solution of the present
question as, while terminating the present
war, which now desolates the island and
listurbs our commerce, would place Cuba
practically i'll possession of herself, by
means of political institutions of self-goy-
ernment, while nominally subject to Spain.
Withai, the President cannot but regard
independence as the only. and even the
necessary, solution of the question III Cuba
and in his mind all other incidental ques-
ticnS are quite subordinate to the larger
object of the United States in this respect.
You will understand that the policy OF the
United States is one of expectancy, but
Will pOSillNc anu uASu CbIsSlCtlOHS dS 10
the duty of the United States when the
time of emergency of action shall arise"
The intimations which have been made
from time to time that the Instructions Of
Minister Woodford were to some extent
on the lines of those to Minister Cushing,
give an added interest to the foregoing, in
view of Sagasta's return to power, the
Gushing proposition having been in effect
rejected by Sagasta.
The new minister of foreign affairs Sc
nor Gullon, is but little known here, but
his name, also, Is recalled in connection
with the futile efforts of the United States
to close the last rebellion. The name of
Senor GullOn appears signed to document
transmitted to the State Department in
1874, during the Gushing negotiations. He
was not in the cabinet at that time, and
the signature appears to be that of an
assistant minister of state. In evident har-
mony with the Sagasta policy. 1t is
thought this association with Sagasta dur
Ing the former Cuban negotiation had much
to do with the choice of Senior Cullon to
the important post of head of the foreign
department.
MOret Well known Here.
AS minister of the colonies it is believed
that Senor Moret will take leading part
in the coming Cuban negotiations. He is
well known here having been minister Of
state Of the colonies and of finance at
various times. He secured reputation as
favoring compromise with the Cuban in
surgents, but this may have been through
an incident involved in much mystery.
While Moret was in the cabinet, during
previous Cuban rebellion, his busin ess as
sociate, Senior Azcarrate, came to this
country as an envoy to effect settlement
with the Cubans by granting them a meas
ure of autonomy acceptable to them. The
envoy, acting with the Spanish minister
here Lopez Robert, sent commissioner to
treat with the insurgent president.
The commissioner, Senior Zenea, appears
to have been indiscreet in his negotiations
for on his way back he was captured and
shot by the Spanish authorities, on the
ground of having carried on unauthorized
negotiations with the insurgents. Subse-
quently. through the influence of Moret the
widow of Zenea. was paid indemnity Of
$4,000. which was regarded as showing
that the mission for compromise with the
Cubans was not wholly without official
sanction. This incident, and Morets recog-
milton Of the Mora claim, have made him
best known In this country
The other new cabinet officers are not
known to officials here. but are regarded
as men prominent in the politics of the day,
and as unwavering allies Of Sagasta.