The herald., 1898-04-01
ARE WE BEING DEcEIvEDp

AHE WE BEING DEUEL. tEOI
The complacency Of the country, under
the delay that has been successfully in
voked by the executive, might be greater
but for the element of uncertainty as
to the nature of the ultimatum that has
been sent to Spain. Upon this vital
point there is confusion of ideas and
a perplexing contradiction in state
ments. Doubt and apprehension will
continue to occupy a large place in the
public mind until removed by an official
declaration. This comes very naturally
from loss Of confidence in the executive.
from the fear that he is being deceived
by the willy Spanish premier, from the
suspicion that his course Is still being
dictated by the stock jobbers, from the
apprehension that the administration is
being tricked.
"And oft, though Wisdom wake, Suspi-
cion sleeps
At Wisdom's gate
Madrid and Washington advices are
suggestively at variance regarding the
nature of this ultimatum. From the
former capital we are assured that the
proposition which Spain will answer COW
ers two points only. as understated:
Spain to proclaim immediately an
armistice In Cuba. to last until Octo-
Der, during which interval the United
States will use its good offices with the
<o 10 <bic
peace permanent; and, second. Spain to
do her best toward relieving suffering
and starvation on the island, with
America to be allowed to assist in TINS
work.
Late Wednesday night the Spanish
legation at Washington received a mes
sage from Havana, saying that General
Blanco reports the pacification Of three
eastern provinces so far advanced that
it has been decided to rescind the re-
concentrate order, allow all subjects to
return to their homes in the country:
the government to grant them military
protection, to look after their immedite
needs, to provide them with seeds and
implements, and to feed them while the
first crop is maturing.
This message was received after mid
night yesterday, long after the receipt
of the Madrid cablegram quoted above.
Unless the message from Blanco was
sent out wholly for effect, it is significant,
as showing that the encouragement
has been advised that the home govern
ment intends granting an American de-
mand for an armistice, and that the
work of pacifying the island with grub
instead of guns is going to be carried for
ward until October, under his direction,
the stock-jobbers in the meantime ar
ranging the terms of the new serfdom
to which the patriots are to be invited,
1t may indeed be true that the state
ments from both Madrid and Havana
were made for exclusive home consump-
ton, and that the Spanish ministry is
scheme of settlement, corresponding
with the plan outlined from Washington
which members of the
presidents cabinet verified, comprehend
ing the immediate and complete with
drawal of Spanish authority from the
island, and the acknowledgment Of the
of the natives.
There is wide difference between the
two propositions, and difference upon
which at last will depend the issue of |
peace or war.
The one will satisfy congress and the |
people. The other will satisfy and sub
serve the interest only of the money |
changers.
If the country has been deceived by the
administration regarding the tenor of
is ultimatum, and it shall develop that |
Spain is only willing to concede what |
neither the Cubans nor the American |
people have ever demanded-in the
Meantime gaining important advantages
oy the dilatory tactics employed by the
Madrid and Washington authorities-the
vhirlwind of indignation that broke out
n congress on Tuesday will be given
.dded accentuation when congress con-
,enes again next week.