The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1898-04-14
SPAIN GRANTS AN ARMIsTICE.
Looked Upon rs Ruse to Gain Time.
Has No Effect on the Message.

Has No Effect on the Message.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Washington Sunday night says: The
| Spanish government, through its min
lister at Washington, Senior Bernabe,
tonight delivered an important official
document to the state department
stating that the armistice which the
queen regent of Spain had commanded
General Blanco to proclaim Sunday
night was without conditions, that her
majesty's government had granted the
liberal institutions to the island of
Cuba which the coming Cuban parlia-
ment would develop; recalling the
coincidence and sympathy expressed
by the queen regent and her govern
ment on the disaster of the Maine and
the horror this disaster had occasioned
in Spanish hearts, and appealing to
the courtesy and sense of justice of
the United states government to en-
tighten public opinion upon the atti-
tude Oh Spain. The note also repeats
the offer of the Spanish government
to submit the Maine question to ex-
perts designated by the maritime pow.
ers of the world.
Although the Spanish note was sur
rounded with the usual secrecy of
official negotiations, the following
summary of its contents was secured;
First. Her majesty, the queen
regent of Spain, desirious of ending
the troubles which are desolating
Cuba, has commanded suspension of
hostilities. Gen. Blanco has been or
dered to proclaim today an armistice
without conditions. He will deter
mine later the duration and details of
this armistice, so as to carry out the
generous intentions of her majesty and
the wishes of the friends of peace.
Second. Her majesty's govern
ment has granted to the island of Cuba
instructions as liberal as those enjoyed
| by Canada under the British flag. The
Cuban chambers will meet on the
fourth of next May. 1t will be their
duty and privilege to put into practice
and develop these institutions. In
addition to this Cuba is represented in
the parliament at Madrid.
Third. Public opinion in this coun-
try appears to ignore the fact that the
loss of the Maine was Immediately fol-
lowed by official and reiterated ex-
pressions of coincidence from her mai
esty's, the queens, government, from
her charge d'affairs in Washington,
and from the authorities in Havana;
all of which tended to affirm the hor-
rors which this disaster has caused to
arise in Spanish hearts, as also the
sympathy felt for the United States
government and navy, and for the
American nation.
''The Spanish minister feels conf
dent that he can count upon the cour
tesy and sense of justice of the United
States government to enlighten public
opinion upon this subject.
Fourth. AS to the cause Of tk,s
lamentable disaster, it resolve ;.aals
into question of fa"*nyi " 20 ~
be settled. htnd 4aa:s when can o 'r
.sh minister reiterates the assur,
,,tnce that his government is ready to
submit the question to experts desig-
mated by the maratime powers, whose
conclusions are in advance accepted. "
A cabinet meeting was held after the
note was presented to the president.
1t is said that the note will not alter
| the presidents message on the situa-
| ton.