Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-31
TALK OF ARMISTICE.
A MADRID TELEGRAM DECLARES
M'kINLEY PROPOSED 1T.
DIScREDITED IN WASHINGTON.
STORY PROBABLY CIRCULATED FOR
SPANISH CONSUMPTION.
Cabinet Council at Noon To-day to
Consider American Proposals
and q Final Conference Be-
tween Minister Wood
ford and SaEasta.

Madrid, March 30.-A cabinet council was
| can proposals. Another will be held to-
morrow at noon, presided over by the
queen regent, and at o'clock tomorrow
there will be final conference between
| United States Minister Woodford, Senor
Sagasta, the premier: Senior Gullon. the
lister for the colonies.
The proposition which Spain will answer
covers two points only. and its publication
will be a revelation to some Of those who
| have been denouncing Americas agrees
sive attitude. 1t is as follows:
Spain to proclaim Immediately an armis-
tice in Cuba to last until October, during
which interval the United States will use
its good offices with the insurgents to make
this temporary peace permanent; and
second, Spain to do her best toward re-
lieving suffering and starvation on the ISL
and. with America to be allowed to as
sist in this work.
Washington, March 30.-The above dis
patch was shown to an official of the ad-
ministration whose position is such as to
give weight to his utterances. He said
that, in view of to-day's events. the Mad
rid statement Of the presidents PROPOSE
tion was not to be taken seriously. The
armistice scheme referred to was the very
one which had almost caused an open re-
volt in congress. The administration was
quoted as saying to-day that an armistice
would not be passed. The probable expla-
nation was that the armistice story had
| been circulated by the government in Mad
| rid for home consumption
Madrid, March 30-While the situation
here is outwardly Of the calmest descrip-
tion, the actual position Of affairs is re-
garded as critical by both the United States
legation and the Spanish government.
The United States minister. General
Stewart L: Woodford. is working ener-
getically. and will continue to work ener-
getically, for peace until the first gun is
fired. 1t Is known the Spanish govern
ment admits the desirabiity or necessity
Of complying with the demands of the
United States, and It is only in the disin-
clination Of the ministers to put this will
! ingness into concrete form that the danger
lies. If a conference were to be held with
British, German or French diplomats, the
| matter would be settled without question,
The point which General Woodford is now
pressing is that. In the interests Of human
ity, hostilities in Cuba must cease immedi-
| ately. No date was fixed either In the first
or in the present note. but the United
States is now dwelling upon the meaning
| OF the word Immediately" and insisting
that Spain accept its general interpreta-
tion.
The public generally is taking little ap-
| parent interest in the situation, but there
is general disinclination to believe that
war is likely.
The general tone Of the press to-day FORE
shadows peace. An exception is the Pals
| Republican), which, referring to the con-
ference yesterday between the United States
| minister. General Stewart L. Woodford, and
| senor Sagasta, the premier; Senior Gullon,
| the minister for foreign affairs, and Senior
Moret. the minister for the colonies, sees
| therein that the United States is gaining
| time and awaiting the rainy season SO to
| take Spain at a disadvantage in Cuba"
The Pals also Expresses the belief that
the Spanish government is prepared to
make further concessions to the United
States, and fears the upshot may mean
'1oss of Cuba, money and dignity" 1t
| further says that all questions pending be-
| tween Spain and the United States were
| discussed yesterday. but that nothing fur
| tber is known.
The Armstrong; Spanish agent, a Span-
| lard who is in touch with the government
| and commercial people in Spain. has ex-
| pressed the belief that, unless the powers
intercede. there will be war. He added: "If
| the United States offered money for our
| clearing out OF Cuba, we could not accept,
but IL the proposition emanated from an
| other power, it is not unlikely that it would
| be accepted"
This view of the case is echoed by a por-
tion of the Spanish press. which advises
| Spain to wash her hands Of Cuba.
Senior Ortiz de Sarato a prominent former
Carlist deputy. who has just been defeated
| at Vittoria. expresses the opinion that there
| would be no war. saying: I'VE have neith-
| er ships, sailors, soldiers. plans nor money,
and the government knows it. It will strug-
gle to the last, and then cave in
Senor Sarato. who was recently at Cadiz,
| says the Spanish warships Pelago and Car
| los ", which the government announced
ready for sea, cannot possibly be made
ready sooner than two months.
severe censorship is exercised to pre-
vent the leakage Of news as to the naval
movements, while the war preparations
continue with the greatest activity and, as
far as possible, the greatest secrecy. The
| utmost efforts are making night and day
| to get the first class ironclads. Pelayo and
| Carlos V. completed. when it is regarded
as certain they will be dispatched with the
cruisers Maria Teresa and Cristobal Colon
| to Join the vizcaya and Almirante in Gu
ban waters. thus forming a squadron of
six armored vessels. against Americas
| seven.
The Marquis Cornillas. president of the
| Spanish transatlantic steamship line to
Cuba and South America, who is an ardent
patriot, has daily conferences with Senor