The herald., 1898-04-01
WANT BLANCO'S ADVICE
TO EFFECT A PACIFICATION OF
THE CUBANs
SPAIN'S SKlLLFUL DIPLOMATS
Confidently Hope to Secure Further
Time for Negotations-and for
Preparations


Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, March 31.-A dispatch to
the World from Madrid says:
The Spanish government has wired the
substance of the negotiations between this
county and the United States to Captain
Blan{S at Havana with view to obtain
ing Is opinion on the disposition Of the
insufsr government. the autonomist and
other colonial parties. and as to what dis
position the army andlthe volunteers would
show toward the contemplated means to
hasten the pacification of Cuba.
While conflicting impressions prevail in
political and diplomatic circles on the
issue Of the negotiations the impression is
that the government will do It's best to
secure peace Unreasonable concessions to
America and Cuba, although complete in
dependence may not be conceded. Despite
the reserve observed by both United States
Minister Woodford and the Spanish min
listers. Ell Liberal publishes what is gen.
orally considered an accurate account of
the interview between Gen. WoodfordD and
Premier Sagasta and Foreign Minister
Gullon.
According to Ell Liberal, General Wood
AotV ucSdu ny wv clAAbb VA t-tC AlAcHNiy anu
pacific disposition of his government and
the desire Of the United States for peace
Premier Sagasta objected to the warlike
preparations and attitude Of the American
Congress. but General Wood6ordl explained
that they aimed only at defensive meas
ures in case Of Spain being the aggressor
General Woodford stated that he had
full power to make proposals. but not to
make engagements outside Of his instruc-
tions.
He then stated the views OF the American
government on the Maine affair, making a
suggestion which Premier Sagasta pro-
nounced inadmissible. Then the principle
Of arbitration was discussed.
General Woodford showed a oonciliatory
disposition in relation to the question of
relief for the distressed Cubans. Spain
does not object to cooperation with the
United States, provided no implicit in
tervention or official demonstration be i'm
piled.
Finally General Woodford proposed
Americas plan for Fastening the pacif1ca-
ton Of Cuba. The first step being an arm
istice.
This led him to discuss with the Spanish
Ministers the situation Of the Spanish army
and volunteers. the duration Of the armls-
tice, the means to negotiate with the in
surgents, the concessions Spain would
make and the course to be pursued in the
event of the insurgents declining to ac-
cept anything short Of independence. No
agreement was arrived at save the ex-
preston Of the desire ON the part of both
governments to act in concert and estab-
lish peace in Cuba. At parting General
Woodford and Premier Sagasta agreed to
meet again Thursday after the American
Minister had consulted President Mckinley
by telegraph and the Premier had con-
suited the Queen Regent and the Consul
of Ministers on the points discussed.
Senior Gullon, the Foreign Minister,
wired a full account of the conference to
the Spanish Minister at Washington.
The Madrid papers are guarded in their
comments, most of them affecting to chal-
lenge the foregoing account.
This is known to be correct In the main.
Considerations Of domestic Spanish poll
tics have probably prompted Sagasta and
other members Of the cabinet to tell the
reporters that It was exaggerated.
The Ministers did not, however, deny
that matters have come to a very critical
stage. Some people think spain's reply
will leave the door open for further nego-
tiations while firmly maintaining Spanish
SAGASTA's ATTITUDE
MADRID, March S1.-The Cabinet Coun-
Gil today lasted an hour and half.
Crowds of people watched the arrival and
departure of tho notabilities. but other
wise there was no evidence of interest in
the subject in Madrid. Nothing definite is