The times., 1897-09-22
The woodford Definnce.


The Woodford Defiance.
The New York World as well as -s-ue Paris
Temps appears prennatureJyto to have re-
gardca friendly tall; ><etween Gen. Stew
art L. woodford SS1 the Duke of Tetuan as
an ultlmatnnI The story that our minister
told, or -Eer was instructed to tell, the
spa1<Sh government thatit must bring the
war to a close by the end of octo
ber. is too much opposed to the ordinary
merh5ds of Diplomatic intercourse to gain
even partial credence. But the World
jumps 10 the conclusion that something
amounting To that has happened, and that
Ielnt enton is 10 create warlil,e situation
eNactly two DAYS before the OHIO election.
That some such intention has been enter
tained and stnI Is, we have little reason
to doubt hut we are equally sure that it
has not yet developed from anything that
Gen Wcocford yet has said to the Spanish
foreign minister. There is probability
in amended stories sent from Europe yes
terdav 10 The effect that the Duke of
Tetuau was informed that the American
Government witnessed with alarm the
wanton destruction OF American as wei
as OF all property within his control by
Captain General weyler, and that Spain
must conSieer the impossbility of pro-
longatloD OF such situation.
That is very different matter to the
ultimatum If a time limit, and one which
would be unnecessary 10 the main purpose
at present It is quite likely that some
time in October Gen. woodford may be
instructed t. demand an answer TO this
preliminary presentment, and, not receiv-
ingit, mahe tbs ca gle scream abouta week
before the election. That is conceivable,
Intervention. unless such meas sures should
be forced upon Mr. Mckinley by such an
cblilhlion of Spanish rage as the Queen
Regents government would not dare to
ignore. In an event like that, of course
tie Administration might have 70 10
sonet thing that forever would wreck the
hopes and designs OF the Spanish Cuban
0gndholders and the Sugar Trust.
FoI that very reason il is not worth sup
posing that Mr. Mckinley win be allowed
10 plunge into war, nor that the Azcarraga
ministry viii allow itself to get any nadder
than it IS compelled tc for advertising pur-
poses Eachof the high contra citing parties
has an interest in the preservation Of
| peace, 10 the end that the war may be
terminated without the Concession Of
! Cubln independence, and in a manner TO
/ take care at once Of tie Spanish debt, and
tie deal in connection with it by which
the Hanna McCcok- Olne y A tkins- Long
Rothschnd combination would stand to
| clear a hundred million dollars.
! There is another and political inter
est which the two Administrations have
in the situation a the moment. Azcarra ga
wants tc strengthen himself and the throne
before his country by displaying patriotic
hostility to the United States, while it is
! unnecessary to remark that the Hanna
Administration depends upon American
deJesra;i,.l Of Spanish atrocities and in
fanny to help il in Ohio. AlIthese interest Is
and political necessities create status
of great difficulty.
We earnestly hope that victory of tbs
Cuban arms and Spanish madness may
combine to bring an American policy out
Of the dark closet, and that, through it
Cuba may be free and the Spanish debt
together with the bond and sugar con
spiracy. wiped out forever.