Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-11
S. S. BROOKS & co.

4prlleoltI
mated by the maritime powers of the
world. This document was the official
| notification Of the Spanish government
to the United States of the granting Of
an armstice ana its essential terms.
Minister Woodford's dispatch, last
| night. had briefly stated the fact that
| an armistice had been agreed upon,
! but it was no; communicated as coming
| from the Spanish government. Today's
I communication cleared up misappre-
| tensions on the most vital point of
| Spains concession, namely that the
armistice was without conditions. The
note was received by the state depart
ment after the first cabinet meeting
| and was one Of the main subjects of
consideration at the second cabinet
meeting held, tonight. Although the
Spanish note was surrounded with the
usual secrecy of official negotiations.
the following summary of it's contents
| was secured:
The Spanish minister in Washington
deeply impressed by the numerous errors
which seem TO have obtained credit in
public opinion in America in regard to
the Cuban question considers it his duty
to call again the attention of the secre-
tary Of state to the following points:
f'irst-Her Majesty, the Queen Regent
of Spain, DESTROYS of ending the troubles
which are desolating Cuba has COM
mandei a suspension of hostilities. Gen.
Blanco has been ordered to proclaim, to-
day, an armistice without conditions. He
will determine later the duration and de-
tails of this armistice 50 as to carry out
the generous intentions of Her Majesty
and the wishes of the friends of peace.
SeCond-Her Ma jeSty'S government has
granted to the island of Cuba institutions;
as liberal those enjoyed by Canada
under the British flag. The Cuban Cham
bers will meet on the 18th of May. 1t will
be their duty and privilege to put into
practice and develop these institutions.
In addition to this Cuba is represented
in the Parliament at Madrid.
Third-Pubic oponion in this country
of the Maine was Immediately followed
by official and reiterated expressions of
coincidence from Her Majesty, the Queen.
from her government, from her charge
d'affairs in Washington and from the au-
thorties in Havana, all of which tended
to affirm the horror which this disaster
has caused to arise in Spanish hearts, as
also the sympathy felt for the Unitei
States government and navy and for the
American nation.
The Spanish minister feels confident
that he can count on the courtesy and
sense of the justice of the United States
government to enlghten public opinion
upon this subject.
Fourth--As to the cause OF this lament
able disaster, it resolved itself into a
question of facts which can only be set
tied by material proofs. The Spanish
minister reiterates the assurance that his
government is ready to submit the ques-
ton to experts designated by the mari
time powers. whose conclusions are in
advance accepted.
Senior Polo delivered the document in
person to the state department and aside
from the interest in the communication
itself the call had added interest as an
evidence of a renewal of diplomatic nego-
tiations. this being his first call at the
department in 10 days. Later Senior Du-
bose. first secretary of the legation. made
another call at the department on the
same general subject. Besides delivering
the note the call permitted personal eX-
change between the secretary of state
and the Spanish officials of an agreeable |
character
During Senior Polo's call at the state de-
pa rtment, he notified the authorities that |
word had come from Havana that Gen |
Blanco had been prompt in executing the |
orders of the Queen Regent and that the |
proclamation of armistice had been duly |
promulgated, today. The first effect of |
this will be to bring about a complete |
cessation of all Spanish hostilties
the island.
The Spanish troops will for the time
being go into garrison. Their future dis
position has not even been considered, for
much depends upon the duration of the
armistice and the course of the insur
gents. If the insurgents continue their
fighting and make attacks on the Span
ish troops the situation will become COM
pIcated, for it is hardly believed that
the Spanish forces will lay down their
arms for any length of time if they con-
tinue to be under fire from the insur-
gents. The attitude of the insurgent adj
CONTINUED on page 81