Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-26
SPAIN TO THE POWERS.
London Times Publishes the Text of
the Memorandum Sent Out
Last Week,

the Memorandum Sent Out
Last Week.
London. April 25.-The Times this morn
ing publishes Spain's memorandum to the
powers, dated April 1S and signed by
Senor Gullon, the Spanish minister of for
eign affairs. The memorandum begins by
recording the moral and material aid the
Cuban! rebels have received from the
United States," in filibustering expeditions
and the operations of the junta. It men
tions Spain's repeated and positive de-
malls to the allegations of cruelty toward
the Cubans, and lays great stress upon
President Cleveland's dispatch of Decem-
ber Z. 1897, to the effect that peace would
be possible if Spain gave sufficient auton-
omy to Cuba. The memorandum contends
that. in face of the new liberal constitu-
ton granted Cuba, which has already
borne fruits" it is difficult to understand
why President Mckinley, in his message
of December 6, 1897. and General Woodwork
| in the note of December 20. 1897, should still
doubt Spain's loyalty.
The document then speaks at some length
of the Maine accident, and asserts that the
Americans. under the preteXt of the extra
territoriality of the vessel, never allowed
the Spanish authorities to visit the wreck
for purposes of investigations; and it most
solemnly asserts the absolute innocence of
Spain's officials and of Spanish subjects
generally.
The fairness and loyalty of Spain are then
shown by a reference to the equitable
treatment which American fIibusters, 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 Span
ish government, the memorandum enum-
crates the four clauses of the Spanish pro-
posals These are:
First-An offer to submit all questions
arising from the Maine affair to arbitra
ton.
Second-An order to Governor General
Blanco to retire into the Western provinces
and to apply 100000 pesetas for the relief
OF agricultural population, with an
ceptance by Spanish government for relief
of Cubans sent by the the United States
providing such relief were sent in merchant
vessels
Third-The cooperation of parliament in
formulating the extent Of the powers to
be reserved for the central government.
Fourth-In view of the Cuban parliament
not meeting before May 4, the proclamation
of an immediate armistice.
The memorandum proceeds to declare
that the United States has not accepted
even these far-reaching concessions. and
that the good offices of the pope have been
equally unavailing. 1t asserts that the
Maine accident was used by political par
ties in America as means of hurting
most gratuitOus and intolerable calumnies
at the Spanish government" and yet, the
document says, Mr.. Olney, in an official
note dated April 4, 1886, to the Spanish min
lister in Washington, himself expressed
very serious apprehensons lest the only
existing bond of union in Cuba should dis
appear in the event of Spain Withdrawing
from that island.
Mr.. Olney-as the memorandum argues
feared at that time that a war OF races
would ensue, all the more sanguinary in
proportion to the experience and discipline
acquired during the insurrection, and that
two republics would at once be formed.
one white and the other black, the up
shot being that one of the two would swal-
low the other.
The grave view thus taken by Mr.. Olney
of the future of Cuba, freed from Spains
rule. is then enlarged upon, and inevitable
racial wars are foreshadowed, which are
certain to wreck the existence of Cuba
sovereignty"
Thus being convinced. as Spain is, that
right and equality are on her side, ''she
will not and cannot surrender her sover-
eighty In Cuba"