The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-14

'oshipStoH, Sept. lo--1he Cuban
question is likely to occupy n large share
of public attention during this week
Minister Woodford is expected to present
his credentials today to the queen regent
OF SPAIN Whether or not he presents
also the note which he carried with him
lrcm Washington depends wholly upon
Gen. Wooiford himself The time ut
which the note is to he presented was left
to the discretion of the minister, the
President and Assistant Secretary of
State Day believing Gen. Wuotlford
would he much better able to Judge of
the tlmclinesS of that action than the
government here in WASHINGTON. No
immediate crisis is expected, and the
Spanish government will necessarily
want some time in which to consider the
most iniportaut matter placed before il
by the representative of the United
States.
President Mckinley returned 10 the
Capital this afternoon. and Cabinet
meeting will he held tom 7rrow. One
question which is to be decided sn. to
whether or not the context of the note to
SPAN shall be given TO the public imme-
tiiateiy after its presentation to the
Madrid government or whether it shall
he held to wait the reply of Spain. There
is the most intense anxiety to learn pre-
ciseiy what the President has said to the
Spanish government concerning Cuba,
and inasmuch as the note is likely to Dro
duce some excitement in Madrid it is
thought quite possible the significant pas
sage of the document may leak out in
Spain. Recognizing the danger of this,
and not wishing to have the communica.
ton appear in fragmentary way, Il
number of the Presidents advisers favor
immediate publication in case no good
reasons appear for taking IA contrary
course.
The note which Minister Woodford is
to present to The Spanish government was
carefully edited by President Mckinley
himself. 1t is II document II considera.
bile length, covering some six or eight
pages of typewriter,and bears date of the
day before Mr.. Woodford eft Washing.
ton.
Its chief Significance is thar the United
States asks to he considered Il party tc
the settlement OF the Cuban question.
The reasons why the United States takes
this step. which ordinarily might be con
sidered interference OH the part of one
nation with the domestic arairs of
another, are set torth at consi 1erable
length and also quite f0rcibly. The long
continuance of war in CUBA, the destruc-
ton of property and commerce, the man.
ner in which the interests of the United
states have suffered, the large number of
American citizens involved in one way or
orher,~the constant anxiety ana expense
caused the United States Government i'm
maintaining Its attitude as IL friendly
power, aud, above all, the distress in
tlicted upon hundreds of thousands of
peaceful people. are all dwelt upon.
Mention is also made OF the large num-
Der OF claims preferred by American cit
lIens against the government of Spain
without any immediate prospect of set
Element. President ClevelaDd's warning
in his last annual message that unless bet
ter conditions were soon to come i'm Sunin
it would be necessary for the United
States to interfere in behalf OF commerce
and humanity is cited. The note then
points out that instead of better condi.
tons worse appear, and in support OF
this statement the situation in Cuba is
reviewed at some legnth Without dis
1inctlv avcrring that the struggle is u
hopeless one on the part of Spain, the note
inGimates Spain has made such slight
progress that no hope of an early conclu.
sion of the war can be entertained. The
note also contains II rather significant al
fusion to the power Of public sentiment
in this country in favor of Cuba. and the
spanish authorities are permitted TO un-
derstand ;hut this sentiment cannot be
much longer held in check
The note is so far as form goes exceed.
ingly polite and friendly The President
expresses. his great desire tc continue the
friendly relations which have ever attend
ed the intercourse between uwo nations
His hope is that Spain will gladly accept
the aid of the United States in bringing
the unfortunate war to an end on terms
compatible alike with the dignity and
best interests of Spain and the future
welfare of the island. The President also
expresses his Willingness to cooperate
with the Spanish government in every
proper way in restoring peace.
Except for the excitability Of the Span
lsh and their traditional hostility to the
United States in everything that concerns
Cuba, TIL re is no reason why this note
should cause any disturbance in the rela-
tons of the two countries OF give alarm
to business men or tinanciers That the
Spanish will vehemently deny the right
of the United States to he regarded "A
party of interest in settling tn. Cuban
trouble is expected by members of the
administration. The Spanish press is
expected to be rs violent and explosive as
usual
While the weight of opposition appears
TO be that the Madrid government will
not dare accept our good offices. but will
be compelled by fear Of public opinion to
reject our tender, there is some Slight
reason for hope that II way may be found
n HtNNff t1, t.1