Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-26
LOOKS VERY LIKE war
Spain Reader to Fight a Losing
Battle Than Permit Us to
Interfere in Cuba.
STATE OF AFFAIRS at MADRID.

Much Depends on the Interpretation Put
Upon Woodford's Note Which Would ,:e
Considered an U1timatum if Emanatius
from n European Power, the London
Times Says--Belief in Spain That We
Want Cuba Ourselves.
Lcrdon. Oct 26.-The Madril corr
spondent Of The Standard telegraph.ag
yesterday says: United States Miris-
ter Woodford received Spain's reply to-
day. It is said to be a document OF over
tklrty RACES"
London, Oct. 26.-The Times, after re-
marking editorially this morning that
THE real danger is that America will
take some step to precipitate a crisis"
says: General Wocdford's note, Ike
other papers emanating from Washing
ton. cannot be construed by the ordinary
rules proper to diplomatic correspond
ence. This is fortunate. inasmuch as it
contains expressions which if they came
from European charcellerie must be
interpreted as menacing war. But il is
unfortunate because it makes the mean
@'-7 "a tAi1 i-Jhc dliIDIB ItuS, tiiaI no GEAR
intimaticn is given of the consequences
Of a refusal to acquiesce in the Ameri-
can demands. THE note is extremely
diffuse and abounds in expressions Of
friendship and good viii toward Spain:
but While it apologies for the earnest
and positive nature of the language used
on the ground that It Is desirable to pre-
vent misunderstanding between two
friendly nations that language. in fact,
lacks the precision which is usually ex-
pected III documents Of this kind.
Gives the Pith of W oodfor,i's Note
There is the distinct statement that
American interests are suffering, and
that an attitude of neutrality cannot be
prolonged indefinitely. There is mention
of the concurrent resolution of the
two houses Of congress last year, Of the
recent resolution of the senate, ard Of
agitation in the United States. There is
an assurance that public opinion
now demands the recognition Of the in
surEents as belligerents. In these cir
cumstances 1t is suggested that the
Spanish government should consider
whether It is not time to terminate the
war by proposals consistent with Its
dignity and with the interests of Cuba
To this end the government at Washing
ton makes tender Of its good offices and
calls upon the Spanish government
within the present month to formulate
definite proposals by which that tender
may be rendered effective or to give sat
isfaotcry assurances that the war will
be brought to n speedy end.
Prefers War TO Surrender TO Menace.
Spain appears TO prefer TO lose Cuba
in war she foresees Will be disastrous
to her, rather than to surrender what
she regards as just and right in defer
ence to menace. 1t is foolish choice. but
the choice of a nation. On the other
hand, If President Mckinley and his ad-
visers are really animated by friendly
sentiments they profess they may fairly
consent to the modest demand Of the
SagaSta cabinet for a reasonable period
to settle the thorny problem hared down
by their predecessors. II this demand is
refused. all Spari1rds viii arrive at the
conclusion that the ugly runIors in cir
culatCn % to the financial Influences
working behind the jingo agitation are
ture. and that President Mckinley S
plausible words are merely intended to
cover a projected abuse Of superior
physical strength"