The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-19
A FIRM STAND FOR CUBA.
POSITITE INSTRUCTIONS GITEN TO
MINISTER WooDFORD.

NE viii Tender the Good ONCE or the Uniiea
Our Interference, Then vo will Take
Measures TO Secure Cuban Independence.
WARRINGTON, June 1s.-Positive instructions
for his guidance in making representations to
the Spanish Government OF the attitude Of the
United States concerning Cuba have been given
Gen. Stewart l. Woodford, the new Minister to
Spain. Gen. Woodford has been directed to
carry them out ns soon as possible after his pros
~entation to the Queen Regent, O necessary
formality before he can be received by the Min
lister Of Foreign Affairs IA the diplomatic repre-
sentative Of the United States.
The new Minister left Washington for Brook
Ign today to make arrangements for his de-
parture for Madrid, but he will probably return
to Washington for n further conference with
the President and Assistant Secretary Day OF
the State Department. He expects to sail from
New York within u fortnight.
The character of Gen. Woodford's instructions
indicate the intention of tho President to pre-
serve a friendly attitude toward Spain. but to be
firm and positive II necessity demands. In the
talks he had with the President yesterday after
noon and at dinner in the evening. Gen. Wood.
ford obtained u full EXPLANATION OF the cours
Mr.. Mckinley desires him to pursue TO bring
~ III Nhu t"C hO" kulHk oh uCt"tCh
Spain and her rcbcllious subjectB. His first
duty will be to secure from the Madrid
Government, II possible. a revocation OF the con
contration order of aptain-General Weylcr, by
which aged men, women. children and others
who have not taken up arms against Spain are
compelled to gather in the cities and towns. The
sufieringso OF these ~pacihcos have been terrible.
Reports from Consult General Lee and other con-
sular officers Of the United States in Cuba have
shown the President the extent Of their dis
tress through disease and starvation, and no is
especially anxious 10 secure an nmelioratiOn of
their condition. He regards Gen. Weyler's Or
dor rs inhuman and unnecessary. and has d.
rected Gen. Woodford to urge, in the interest Of
humanity, that it be rescinded. This will be a
delicate undertaking for Gen. Woodford. and
the President realizes that II may result in IN
intimation from the Spanish Minister that the
United States would do well to mind it's own
business and not NEEDLE in a matter affecting
the internal affairs Of another country-remote
from the general subject of American interest
In bringing the war TO IN end.
The representations concerning the concen-
tration order, whilet the primary business OF the
new Minister. will be a side issue only in the
policy which Gen. Woodford has been directed
10 pursue. His main object will be To impress
upon Spain the crrncst desire Of The President
eAAA AhS AhNAA ~ tAS v okoNCo ~ UAa
the bloody struggle in q territory adjacent to
our shores and TO secure a guarantee that
Spain will allow this Government TO CO
operate in securing the restoration Of peace
full conditions. He will explain the great in.
terest this country hus in the Cuban situation.
on commercial grounds and feelings OF sympa.
thy with u neighboring people. The great in.
Jury to American trade through the practical
suspenainn Of traffic will he potated out ~ vel
Us the immense loss 10 American capital In.
vested in sugar plantations and other interests
in the island. The written reports made by
Consul-Gencral Lee and the verbal explanations
Of Commissioner Calhoun will be cited by Gen.
woodford TO show that the suffering among
the Cuban people has been intense and
should be relieved or ended without de
lay. Gen. Woodford will not give the
pro-Cuban side only In his representations. but
will also refer to cruelties p~ractised by the in
surRent forces and reported to the State Depart.
ment by consular officers. These things will be
followed 10y a tender of the good Offices OF the
United States to end the war, and. while the
President is inclined TO believe that the tender
will be accepted, he is by no means certain in
his mind on that score.
The future policy OF the Administration will
depend ON the manner in which the representa-
tions Of Gen. Woodford art received. II Spain
acquiesces in the necessity for stopping the wal
at once, Gen. WoOdford' = mission will be sim,
plihed, and he will proceed TO negotiate TO tina,
end. If. however. spain shows q disposition 10
resent our interference. instructions will
be sent the new Minister of such u positive
nature that the United States will become al
active party in securing Cuban independence by
measures not strictly diplomatic. II can bt
stated positively that nothing vital to tho cause
Of Cuba. as far as the United States are con,
cerned. will occur until after Minister Wood
ford has reported to this Government the result
Of his representations.