Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-07
MAY ASK UNCLE SAM TO STOP THE
WAR IN CUBA.
EVERYTHING ELSE HAS FAILED
WANTED, PENDING Me-
GOTIATfONs FOR PEACE.
Independence for n Money Consider
alton Not Ont of the Question:
Gomez Ready to Purchase
the Independence
of Cuba.

Chicago, Jan. GA special to the Trib
une from Washington says:
Spain is considering formal request
to the United States TO use Its good offices
to stop the fighting in Cuba.
..Intimations have been received at the
state department that the Sagasta gov
ernment had become convinced that the
only way to save Cuba was to accept the
often proffered good offices of the United
States.
"Canovas repeatedly replied to President
Cleveland declinig these good offices. and
Sagasta did the same last November. Now
the prime minister has become completely
disheartened over the evident failure of
autonomy.
'All efforts of Spain to bring the suoor-
dinates of Gomez to surrender on the ba-
sis of home rule have proven futile. Blanco
has completely failed in his efforts to open
up communication with the insurgents, and
Pando has likewise been defeated in the
field. The Spanish minister now feels that
the only thing left is to accept the good
offices of Uncle Sam. in spite of the humil-
iation involved. They hesitate only because
they feel that public announcement OF
this fact would result in a revolution in
Spain.
"Secret negotiations with the state de-
l.artment are now actually in progress
The Spanish government has lost the con-
fdence of the Loyalists in Cuba, and 1t
, recognizes the fact that the island itself
is lost entirely unless this country WILL
at this late day, negotiate with the in
surgents for some basis Of peace.
THE Spanish propose that the Cuited
States should propose to the insurgents an
actual armistice, pending negotiations for
peace on the basis of American guarantees
Ct the integrity of home rule. or even OIL
tndcpendence. on a money consideration.
while no such formal proposition has
been made by Minister de Lone, the state
department has been given to understand
that only the fear of revolution in Spain
stands in the way now of accepting the
friendly offices Of the United States, which
have been rejected so often. 1t has been
even intimated that if this country sees
flt, on its own motion, TO open up COM
munication with the insurgents, Spain VIII
rot throw any objections in the way.
Any Sucn move Woulu De d plac'iSai ie'-
c2nition of the insurgents as belliserents.
but things have reached such crisis in
Cuba that even this contingency must be
faced.
1T is understood that the Cuban repub-
| lie will insist on formal recognition before
| undertaking any negotiations with the
| United States. claiming that 1t cannot
treat with Il power which regards it only
| as an organized conspiracy of riot and
! piracy. The situation is critical in Cuba,
| and the frequent visits of the Spanish
| minister to the state department are a
| sufficient indication that the Spanish en-
| pire in Cuba is almost at an end.
Officials here are inclined to the belief
| that the public announcement of the ac-
| ceptance of this country as a mediator will
result in instant revolution in Spain, hut
| they admit it is the last hope, and is be-
| ing seriously consdered.'