The evening times., 1897-04-02
SPAIN GIVES UP THE FIGHT
Preparing to Withdraw Her
Troops From Cuba at Once.
DOWNFALL OF WEYLER'S RULE
Early Date Set for the Cessation of
HostiIities, When the Island Will
Be Abandoned to the Cubanss
Though Humiliated the Spanish
Assume the Air of Conquerors.

New York, April "A Journal special
from Washington says: Spain has decded
at last 10 cease offensive military opera
tions in Cuba at the beginning OF the wet
season. now only few weeks away.
She is preparing to withdraw all her ac-
tive forces from the interior, and TO send
hack to S pain and the Philippines large
share of her troops. Her occupation OF
the ports and OF strategic positions will
be of a tentative character. The three
trochas will be practically abandoned, ana
the insurgents may range the interior at
will from Cape Maysi TO Cape San An
tonic. This is the downfall OF Spain In
Cuba, but even in her humiliation and
bankruptcy she assumes the role OF con
Queror, bestowing favors on the conquered
IL has been given out by the Spanish le-
cation that the meeting OF the Cortes,
which was regularly set for Easter Mon
day. has been postponed until some tiue
in July This is because the ministerial
council ia Madrid dare not attempt their
Cuban retreat with the Cortes in session.
Action il imperative, and when the Cortes
does meet d bill OF indemnity viii be asked
for.
For the past ten days Gen. Weyler, un-
der instructions from mis- home govern
ment, has been persisteuuy asserting
that the war would be over in three weeks.
The date set for the cessation OF hostili-
ties is not To be later than April 10. This
assertion is part of the general plan.
ina To r.Atn tn
Havana within the week if possible, but
certainly before April 15. He viii find
awaiting him a royal edict prepared at
MADRID, 70 be immediately promulgated.
setting forth that the war is over
With characteristic congratulations and
thanks 10 the armies, the Queen VIII
then proclaim that elections for depu-
ties 10 the Cortes and representatives
20 the insular assembly viii be held in
Cuba on a date 10 be fixed about the
end of April, and the reform laws lately
enacted Will be proclaimed as in fun ana
in perfect operation. While no broader
basis Of suffrage will be allowed, Weyler
is directed TO instruct the offlcers VINO
have direct charge OF the election ma
chinery To exercise the greatest leDiency
and latitude in the scrutiny OF the sur
frage. The legal requirements VIII not
be changed, but the Cubans will be invited
10 vote. and the officers of elections VIII
be instructed to allow them to cast their
ballots.
simultaneously with this program IN
Cuba, the Duke of Tetuan will indite notes
to the United States, Mexico, Great BTi-
tain. France and Denmark. the governments
owning territory contiguousto Cuba, which
will set forth that the disturbances In the
island have happily ended and that
Cuhan commerce may now be conducted in
security and peace They Will also be
advised of the changes in the Coyernmentor
Cuba. made necessary by the reform laws,
and that Spain hereafter viii exercise
only a suzerainty over the island, and
that the Cubans will settle the details
of their domestic affairs 20 suit themselves.
These notes will also inform the govern
mepts interested that Spain will imme-
diatcly begin the withdrawal of the 2oo,-
400 troops now occupying the island,
because there is no further need OF their
services. as peace has been restored.
4 popularity of the Forthcoming note is
that no time is set when this withdrawal
of the armies will be completed, and this
fact seems TO indicate that while Spain
has abandoned offensive warfare, she
is prepared to secure the best terms pos
sible before she finally ab9ndons ths
island