The herald., 1897-10-26
the total deaths of the city are due
to this cause.
ENGLISH COMMENT


ENGLISH COMMENT
LONDON, Oct. 26.-The Times, after
remarlling editorially this morning that
1.-The real danger is that America will
take some step to precipitate a crisis,
says:
General Woodfords note, like other
papers emanating from Washington,
cannot be construed by the ordinary
,, rules applicable to diplomatic correspon-
dence. This is fortunate, inasmuch as it
contains expressions which, if they came
from European chancellor must be in
terpreteG as menacing war. But it is
unfortunate because it makes the mean
ing of the note ambiguous; that no clear
intimation is given of the consequence
of a refusal to acQuiesce in the American
demands"
The Times editorial is based upon let
ters from Madrid, describing the situa-
ton, the second of which appears today,
dated October 18th, the writer prefacing
his remarks, says: circumstances and
not American pressure produced the
change of ministry" and adds: Were
Canovas still alive he would probably
meet American representations with a
naughty non possumus. The Liberals
will not go very far in the opposite direc-
ton. But it may be hoped that they will
not altogether shut their eyes to disa-
greeable realities and will at least adopt
less repellant attitude. Their attitude
will depend upon the conclusion they
arrive at as to the real aims and inten-
tions of the United States, subject on
which there are considerable differences
of opinion allowable, as General Wood
fords note is capable of various inter-
pretations.''
"The government has deferred reply
ing to the note" he continues, "in the
hope that the United States would wait
for the results of the Sagasta policy. But
the general opinion is that this hope will
not be realized. If the truth must be
told General Woodford's amicable as
surances are regarded by the Spaniards
as little beyond polite phrases signifying
nothing and intended to cover unjusti-
fable aggressive designs. The fact that
the insurrection was originally Matched
in America and is supported from there
is considered proof that America means
to possess Cuba and the tender of their
good offices is regarded as q step in that
direction. In support of this view the
American correspondents of the Madrid
papers assert that an American syndi-
cate with enormous resources and with
influential backing at Washington is
preparing to buy up the land, railways,
sugar and tobacco factories and indus
trial undertakings and is even nego-
tiating with the rebel leaders with a
view to running the new Autonomist
government, possibly under the nominal
sovereignty of Spain, but in any case
under the real protection of the United
States
"On the whole, the prospects of Gen
eral Woodford obtaining any satisfac-
tory arrangements are not bright. Fur
thermore, it would be a dangerous error
to imagine that the Spaniards are play
ing a game of bluff. They know they
would be beaten, but Castilian pride is
willing to accept the consequences.
CUBAS NEW SECRETARY
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 25.-Dr. Jose
Congosta today received word from
Madrid that he has been appointed sec
retary general to Cuba. The position is
third highest in Cuba.