The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-02
A Peculiar "Intimation," and tho
Result of IL.

In the message which Mr.. CLEVELAND
sent to Congress on Dec. 2, he remarked
that " 10 was intimated by this Government
to the Government Of Spain some months
ago" that IL Spain were to offer a measure
OF home rule to the insurgents, and II the
insurgents were to accept 1t. "the United
States would endeavor to find a way OF
guaranteeing its execution"
We have taken the pains to ascertain what
length of time was comprised In Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS some months." 1t was in the first
week Of April last that the elimination"
was conveyed to Spain. The length of time
between that week and the first week in
December, when Mr.. CLEVELAND init
mated to Congress that he had sent an init
nation to Spain, was eight months. At the
time OF the intimation, WEYLER had
been In Cuba between six and seven weeks,
as successor to Gen. MARTINEZ CANPos, the
unsuccessful Spanish commander. 1t was
a winning time for the revolutionists, who
were exceedingly active, defeating the
enemy in almost every encounter, fighting
their way from the east to the west, and
menacing the city Of Havana. IL was a
very bad time for the Spaniards, whose
troops took refuge in the garrison towns. and
sought for safety at the Mariel trocha, while
WEYLER spent his days in calling upon
Spain for reenforcements, and in executing,
30 far as was possible. those DEGREES which
he had issued for the purpose Of terrorizing
the inhabitants. Never at any previous pc
riod of the Cuban war had Spain been in
such a plight as she was in at that time Of
the month of April when Mr.. CLEVELAND
intimated to the Spanish Government that
he entertained a desire to serve 1t. Never at
any previous period Of the war had the Gu
bans been so exultant and so hopeful OF in
dependence as they were at that time in
April when Mr.. CLEVELAND "intimated"
to Spain his desire that she would offer the
insurgents a measure Of reform which per-
haps would lead them to lay dow their
arms and submit to Spanish rule.
Spain was informed Of Mr.. CLEvRLAND's
"endeavor to find a way at n timo when.
one might think, such an endeavor would
have been Of interest to her. She was in
dire adversely when Mr.. CLEVELAND init
mated to her how she could get relief, and
retain her supremacy in Cuba.
In the first instance, the intimation was
conveyed to the Spanish Minister at Wash
ington, Mr.. DUPUY DE LONE, by Secretary
OLNEY. During a " friendly consultation"
between these parties, on or about April 2
OF the past year, Mr.. OLNEY presented to
the Minister a written memorandum con-
tanning propositions in the interest Of Spain
identical with those OF which Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND gave Information to Congress eight
months afterward in his message of Dec. z.
Upon examining the written memorandum
drawn I'm hy Mr. m Wv npIar inat.,,
tions from Mr.. CLEVELAND, the Span
ish Minister first observed that Mr..
CLEVELAND had intimated that Spain ought
to grant reforms to Cuba, as one OF the con-
ditions OF the maintenance Of Spanish rule
in the colony. This was u matter upon
which the Minister was unable to speak In
other than n general manner. He repre-
sented that his Government would doubt
less give attention to the existing re-
form law when it could be put into
effect with safety; but he could not
furnish any information as to the character
Of the reforms that might be granted, or az
to the time at which they could he carried
out In Cuba; for these were matters that
must wait upon the will OF the Government
at Madrid. The amiability OF the Spanish
Minister upon the occasion when he made
this statement was most marked, and
his language was favorably received
by the Secretary Of State. The Secretary
gave assurance to the Minister that Mr..
CLEvEI AND's 2dvices from Cuba were I'M
propi.ious for the insurgents, who, indeed,
had failed to gain the support of the more
conservative members OF the community in
Cuba The Minister wa further informed
by the Secretary that Mr.. CLEVELAND
stands ready to urge the insurgents to lay
down their arms"
AS Mr.. DuPUY DE LONE was not empow-
cred to enter into negotiations upon the
lines indicated by Mr.. CLEVELAND. the next
thing in order at Washington was the I'm
timation from this Government to the Gov
INT of Spain" 1t was embodied In the
written memorandum +" which Mr.. OLNEY
had submitted to the Spanish representa-
tive ut Washington. Premier CANovAs
had 1t in hand at an early date
In the month Of April. At tina time,
however, the energies of the Madrid Gov
were fully employed in providing
for the shipment OF u new and powerful
army toCuba ReGnforcemeuts to the mum.
Der of go, 600 men were to be sent there
with all possible expedition, so that WEyLER
might begin a campaign before the opening
OF the rainy season, which campaign, it was
expected, would be brought to u successful
conclusion before the coming OF that season.
No suggestions from the outside were de-
sired. When the rebels were crushed by
an overwhelming force, MIR. C~LRVELAND's
memorandum " could bo laid aside with
out reply, and his g intimation" reserved
for future consideration.
In his message Of Dec. z Mr.. CLEVELAND
informed Congress that mo definite re-
Spouse to this intimation has yet been re-
ceivcd from the Spanish Government" As
to the indefinite response, we have reason
for conceiving that it bore a close ressm-
blance to that which was made by Mr..
DUPUY DE LONE when Secretary OLNEY
presented him with a copy of the memoran-
dun prepared for transmission to Madrid.