The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-04
SAGASRA INTERVIEWED.
The Spanish Premier Talks Of the
Existing Crisis. ~.s.,.
SAYS SPAIN WILL NOT BACK DOWN

While Not Directing in Principle t.
| an Armistice For the Cuban Insur.
| gents, He Declares That the Armis.
| tlce Should Be Asked by Insurgents
London, April 4.-The Madrid CORE
spondent of The Standard telegraphs:
Il have been able to obtain an inter-
view with Senior Sagasta, the premier
and to elicit from him brief state
ment with reference to the present
critical situation. In the course of the
conversation Senior Sagasta said:
In our recent negotiations with the
United States we have used friendly
and conciliatory language in EXPLAIN
Ing our views. Respecting the matters
IN dispute with regard to the Maine dis
aster, we said we considered the ques-
ton to be one for diplomatic negotia-
ton, and that If we and the United
States found 1t impossible to come to
an understanding on the conflicting
opinions of the American and Spanish
commissions as to the cause of the
disaster the matter then ought to be
submitted TO technical experts and to
the arbitration of naval or other
power, who might be selected by mu-
tual agreement between the two gov
ernments.
ON the second point we were able
to inform United States Minister Wood
ford that Governor General Blanco had
issued a proclamation authorizing the
return OF the recOncentrados to their
homes and hot he
ment had sent $500, 900 to the relief Of
the distressed Cubans and would de-
vote to the same object all the pro-
ceeds OF relief in kind and money,
amounting to 100000, which had been
sent by Spanish residents in Mexico,
These measures are supplemented by
the assistance already given by the
Cuban autonomist government. We
have never objected to relief being also
sent by the United States on condi-
ton that 1t did not have an official
character and bear the appearance of
Intervention.
we did not object in principle to an
armistice for the Cuban insurgents. We
are, however, of the opinion that it
does not behoove Spain to take the
hostilities ought to be asked for by the
insurgents. We suggested that the Uni
ted States government might, if so in
clined, exercise its influence with the
insurgents to induce them to apply for
an armistice, with view to further the
ends OF peace, on the understanding,
however, that the armstice would be
destined to lead to the submission of
the insurgents to the new autonomous
regime"
Senior Sagasta assured me that the
question Of the independence of Cuba,
or the sale of that colony, or Of any
invasion Of Spanish rights, was not
mooted in the recent negotiations. AL
luding to the report that Marshal Prim
had Intended in 1870 to sell Cuba, Senior
Sagasta said that such a suggestion
was made to Marshal Prim by the
Americans. but was never accepted.
and that the parleying on the subject
was only kept up for some time to |
avoid increasing the acute tension
which then existed between the two
Senior Sagasta considers that since he |
took office in October last he has done
everything possible to satisfy the Gu
bans and to preserve good relations
with the United States, and that con-
sequently no responsibility for the
present crisis, should 1t lead to a rup-
ture, will rest with Spain. He, how
ever. does not believe that the last |
Spanish memorandum closes the door
to further negotiations. He only ap-
pretended trouble from the pressure
Of the jingoes on the executive in
Senior Sagasta proceeded to say that
ais government had addressed a mem
to the European powers, but
lad not officially taken steps to solicit
heir intervention. He called my at
entiOn to the fact that the people and
'ress Of Spain had shown prudence,
orbearance and patriotism during the
'rsis. even the opposition having put
10 obstacles in the way of the govern
nent. This, he said, led him to believe
hat all classes would cooperate in the
work. Of realizing peace in Cuba and
acing the contingencies of the future,