The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-24
OUR ANSWER TO SAGASTA.
HIS CHARGE AMOUR FILIBUSTERo
RESENTED BY M,KINLE T.

|
Spain Informed that the Uuited states HAVE
spent millions or Dollars In Enforcing the
Neutrality Laws. but spain Has seen FIJI.
b~usterinE Expeditions In u Multiply
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-Prcsident Mckinley
to-day went over a revised draft OF tho note
which the State Department will send to Mimic
tor Woodford for presentation to the Spanish
Government as an answer in part to the Spanish
response to tho original communication from
Gen. Woodford rendering the good offices OF the
United states Government to bring the Cuban
hostilities to an end. IL is pretty GER
tain that the President was satisfied with the
note as rewritten because the revision was made
by his direction. lio gave careful examination
to the original draft, and made some erasuros
and insertions. Then the note was rewritten a
tho State Department., and the new copy Lard
before Mr.. Mckinley by Judge Day. the Assist
ant Secretary Of State. this afternoon. They
spent nearly two hours together in the Prcsi-
dents office.
Just what tho new note contains is n d.plo-
matte secret. and knowledge OF its contents 10
accountable for the air of mystcrlous importance
which some of the State Department officials
have acquired within the last few days. Asa
matter OF fact, there is nothing startling in
the communication. 1t deals mainly, IL not
entirely, with the very broad hint given to the
United States in the answer of Premier Sagasta
to Gen. Woodford's representations, that this
Government had not been as active as it might
have been in attempting to suppress hlibuster.
ing. Stripped of its diplomatic phrnseology,
what Spain told the United States was substan-
TALLY this:
"All the armed expeditions intended to benefit
the Cuban rebels are organized in tho United
States and sail from United States ports. Some
OF these expeditions have been prevented from
going to Cuba, but most of them have succeeded
in leaving America. II there were no aid from
United States citizens there would DO no insur-
~rection. Tho United States can best extend ito
friendly offices by suppressing these expedi-
TONS"
As the United States Government has eE-
pended more than 81, 900, 600 in maintaining o
patrol for the apprehension of flibusters and
is employing special officers to prevent viola
tions Of the neutrality and navigation laws
in order to carry out to the letter all treaty
arrangements with Spain. the structures of the
sagasta Ministry on the subject are considered
unjust by the President and tho members of
his Cabinet. Not only has every effort been
made to prevent illegal expeditions from
leaving this country, but the merest ru-
mors heard by Spanish agents along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts and communicated to
the State Department by the Spanish Minister
in Washington. have been thoroughly investi-
gated, frequently at great expense, just to sat
isfy Spanish qualms. although it was certain
IN many instances that tho rumors were UNI
founded.
There have been cases where preparations
for one expedition have been reported by
q dozen, Spanish agents. each believing that
his information concerned a separate
cials of the United States has shown
that all these rumors concerned n single attempt
to violate the neutrality laws. but the Snanish
their perturbation in q multiplying mirror. see q
dozen armed ships sailing away to- the shores OF
Cuba. and insist that where the United States
have allowed eleven others to be successful.
Just what the Washing on Government has
done and is doing to stop illegal assistance to
Is reason to believe that the diplomatic commu-
~nication has not been completed. for a statement
OF the number OF alleged expeditions reported
and all information concerning tho efforts Of
the American authorities to suppress them 10
being prepared Ut the Treasury Department at
the request Of, the Secretary Of state. This
note. but whether as part Of 1t. or merely as an
appended exhibit, has not been ascertained.
1t is understood that the other representation
IN the Spanish answer will not be touched on at
this time. They, concern the condition Of affairs
war To- TO- a a" close se' s guSiinf'' p Ga Rs'"f 10 in ST.
Captain.General Blanco have induced the Adj
ministration TO allow tho Stgasta Ministry 10
test its new policy before doing anything that
might seem to cmbHrrass it in its seeming en-
deavor to treat the insurgents more humancly
than wasdone by the Conservatives ana Weyler:
Tho comm unication OF this Government Will
be sent before Congress assemblies, and mention
of 1t will probably DO made in the annual mes
sage of the President.
A rumor was current to-day that the note in
course of preparation would request the Span.
ish Ministry to name a date when 1t expected ia
secure the pacifcation of the island, but this
could not be verified.