Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-31
PROFOUND ANXIETY
That Feeling Apparent Throughout
Official Circles.
1 DIFFERENCE n UNDERSTANDING
What Giving Cuba Independence
Would Mean in Spain.
HOW DIPLOMATS TALK

HOW DIPLOMATS TALK
feeling OF profound anxiety was ap-
parent throughout all official circles today
as the time for SPANS final answer to the
specific representations of the United
States draws near. The State Department
has received a cable dispatch from MIN
| ts.er Woodford at Madrid expressing In a
general way his hopefulness that a solu-
ton will be effected, and stating that his
interview with Premier Sagasta and the
ministry was set for o'clock this after
neon. following the cabinet council This
| cabinet council is Zone Of two held regu-
larly during the week, but the noon meet
Ing OF Thursday has the added importance
| OF having the queen regent present and
presiding. The difference in time between
Washington and Madrid is such that these
meetings are held early in the day. accord
ing to our time. but this is Offset by the
time required for transmitting and de-
ciphering official dispatches even announc-
ting simple results.
Difference in Understanding.
While the hopeful tenor of Gen. Wood
fcrd's dispatches gives some ground for
reinsurance, vet 1t is appreciated here that
he speaks from the situation as it presents
itself at Madrid. and this cannot take into
account the complications which have
arisen on this side, and the apparent DIFF
ferences of understanding between Wash
ington and Madrid as to what constitutes
the actual desire Of the United States gov
eminent. The understanding at Madrid,
as conveyed by cable dispatches, and FROM
other high sources. is that the actual in
dependence of Cuba is not involved in the
present negotiations At the same time,
the view in Washington is that the indie
pendence of the island is an essential fea-
ture to any plan of settlement. 1t is diff
cult to account for this difference at the
two capitals on the most vital feature of
the negotiation.
L was suggested today that the pour
Iarler, while tending toward the ultimate
| accomplishment of independence, might not
have treated 1t as an immediate sine qua
| non. There is no doubt that the authorities
here regard the immediate cessation of hos
Titles and such condition as will bring
about independence as essential features.
There may be some difference as to Just
when these results are to be reached, but
there appears to be no doubt that the re-
suits themselves are expected as the ui,i-
mate end of present negotiation.
Effect Of Giving Cuba Independence.
How far Spain will eccede to the Amer
lean propositions can only be conjectured
for even the best posted officials here lack
any basis Of judging the probable course
Of events at Madrid. Minister woodford's
dispatch is the most hopeful indication,
and yet, as already stated 1t may relate to
features of settl .ment less advanced than
these generally understood here as the re-
quirements suitable to the case. II the
| complete Independence of Cuba is to be
presented and insisted Upon by the United
States government there is reason to be-
Eeve that the situation may become sx-
tremely grave. Those familiar with condi-
| items at Madrid say the independence OF
Cuba Is out of the question. and that the
people OF this country do nor seem 10 real
| ize what the granting of such independence
would mean to Spain.
One well-Informed gentleman-not an
of1cial-said that ii Spain voluntarily re-
| Lnquished her hold on Cuba without a wal
the queen regent and Sagasta would be be.
| headed by the Spanish people. This con.
veys an IDEA Of the extreme gravity which
such a proposition would have at Madrid
1t induces the belief among those whose
position Is such that they are familiar
with the general current Of events in Spain
| that complete independence of the Isalnd
! of Cuba has not and will not be insisted
| upon by the United States. or, il insisted
| upon. that Spain will regard the issue a
one between honor and dishonor and will
choose to resist Independence at whatever
| cost 1t may entail. even though 1t be war
| This it should be understood, is not based
on any official aGvices from Madrid, but
as merely expressing the general aspect OF
conditions in Spain by those having an
intelligent view of the situation.
One Hopeful Outlook.
On the other questions involved-the ces-
sation Of hostilities and the relief of the
Ieconcentrados-the hopeful outlook is
much stronger. The dispatches received by
the Spanish legation last night, stating that
the reconcentrado decree had been revoked
in the eastern provinces of Cuba, Is looked
upon as significant step in the direction
of the demands made by the United States.
! But the eastern provinces Of Cuba are not
the ones toward which the attention OF
the United States is directed. It is the
rich central and western provinces. where
the distress Of thu reconcentrado decree
has been most acutely felt.
Cessation Of Hostflities.
As to the cessation Of hostilities. there
are evidences that this also may be favora-
bly, regarded by Spain. The only difficulty
in the way appears to be that the Spanish
government does not wish to lay down
arms while at the same time the Insurgents
continue In arms. There II no doubt that
this branch of the proposition IL being
very maturely considered at Madrid. There
is a wide difference Of opinion among the
best posted officials as to the reported prof.
ect of an indemnity basis Of 500. 600 600
as a price Of Independence.
It 10 declared by some who ought to
know II any sucn proposition has been
submitted, that It has no part in the nego-
tiations now drawing to . close. In other
reliable quarters this indemnity PROPOSE
ton continues to be urged a. . possible
basis of solution. although the amount Is
variously stated. It IL impossible to RECON-
cile such differences. owing to the secrecy
prevailing among oficials acquainted with
| the actual state OF Affairs.
At the state Department.