Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-26
SPAIN TO THE POWERS.

The London Times publishes SPANS
memorandum to the powers, dated
April is, and signed by Senior Gullon,
the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The memorandum begins by record
ing the "moral and material aid the
Cuban rebels have received from the
United States" in ilibustering e1pedi-
tons, and the operations of the junta.
1t mentions SPANS repeated and posi-.
tive denials to the allegations of cruelty
toward the Cubans, aud lays great
stress upon President Cleveland's dis
patch of December Z, 1896, to the effect
that peace would be possible if Spain
gave sufficient autonomy to Cuba.
The memorandum contends that in
the face OF the new liberal constitution
granted Cuba, which "has already
borne fruits" it is difficult to under
stand why President Mckinley in his
message of December 6, 1897, and Gen.
Woodford in the note of December 20,
1897, should still doubt Spain's loyalty.
The document then speaks at some
length of the Maine affair and u.s.
serts that the Americans under the pre-.
text of the xtra.territoriality of the
vessel, never allowed the Spanish au.
thorities to visit the wreck for purposes
of investigation, and it most solemly
asserts the absolute innocence of Span
ish officials and ofSpanish subjects gen.
! orally.
The fairness and loyalty of Spain are
then shown by reference to the equl-
table treatment which American fill
busters, more especially those of the
Competitor have received at the hands
of Spain, and in order to show more
fully how pacific and correct has been
the attitude of the Spanish govern
| ment, the memorandum enumerates
the four clauses of the Spanish pro-
posals. They are.
First, an offer to submit all questions
arising from the Maine affair TO arbi'
tration.
Second, an order to Governor-Gener-
al Blanco to retire into the western
provinces and to apply 100000
| for the relief of the agricultural popu'
lation, with an acceptance by the Span
ish government of relief for Cubans sent
by the United States, provided such re-
| lief were sent in merchant vessels.
Third the cooperation of Parlia-
ment 10 formulating the extent Of the
powers to be reserved for the central
government.
Fourth, in view of the Cuban Par
lament not meeting before May t, the
proclamation of an immediate arms
tice.
The memorandum proceeds tc
declare that the United States hn;
not accepted even these far.reach-
ing concessions, and that the
good offices of the Pope have
been equally unavsi!ing. 1t asserts thai
the Maine incident was used by politi-
cal parties in America as a means o.
hurting "most gratuitous and intoler'
able calumnes at the Spanish govern
ment," and yet, the document says
MIR. Olney, in an official note dated
April 4, 1896, to the Spanish Minister in
Washington, himself expressed very Sc
rious apprehensions lest the only exist
ing bond of union in Cuba should dis.
appear in the event OF Spain withdraw
ing from that island. Mr.. Olney-a:
the memorandum arguee-feared al
that time that war of races would en-
sue, all the more sanguinary in proper
ton to the experience and discipline
acquired during the Instruction, and
that two republics would at once be
formed, one white and the other black
the upshot being that one of the tw>
would swallow the other.
The grave view thus taken by MIR
Olney of the future of Cuba freed from
SPANS rule, is then enlarged upon, ant
inevitable racial wars are foreshadowed
which are certain to wreck the exist
ence of Cuba as State should Spair
be deprived of sovereignty.
Thus, being convinced, as Spain is
that right and equity are on her side
'she will not and cannot surrender hel
sovereignty in Cuba