The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-11

ment on the disaster OF the Maine and
the horror that disaster had occasioned
in Spanish hearts, and appealing to the
courtesy and sense of justice of the United
States government 70 enlighten public
opinion upon the attitude of Spain The
note also repeats the effort of the Spanish
government to submit the Maine question
to experts designated by the maritime
powers of the world.
This document was the official notifca-
tion of the Spanish government to the
United States, the granting of an armis-
tice and its essential terms.
Minister Woodford's dispatch last night
had briefly stated the fact that an armls-
tice had been agreed upon, but it was not
communicated as coming from the Span
ish government. To-day's communication
cleared up Misrepresentation on the most
vital point of Spain's concession, namely,
that the armistice was without condition.
The note was received by the state de-
partment after the first cabinet meeting
held this morning, and was one of the
main subjects of consideration at the Sec
ohd cabinet meeting held tonight Al
though the Spanish note was surrounded
with the usual secrecy of official negotia-
tlons, the following summary of its con-
tents 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 Secretary
of State of the United States to the fol-
| lowing points:
First Her Majesty, the Queen Regent
of Spain, desirous of ending the troubles
which are desolating Cuba, has command
/ ed a suspension of hostilities. Gen. Blanco
has been ordered to proclaim to-day an
armistice without conditions He will de-
termine later the duration and details of
| this armistice, so as to carry out the gen.
| erous intentions of Her Majesty, and the
wishes of the friends of peace.
Second, Her Majestys government has
| granted TO the island of Cuba institutions
as liberal as those enjoyed by Canada un-
| der the British flag. The Cuban chambers
| will meet on the 4th of next 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. Public opinion in this country
| appears to ignore the fact that the loss of
the Maine was Immediately followed by
| official and reiterated expressions of con-
dolence from Her Majesty. the Queen,
| from her government, from her charge d.
| affaires in Washington and from the au-
| thorities in Havana all of which tended
| had caused to arise in Spanish hearts. as
| also the sympathy felt for the United
| States government and navy and for the
| American nation
THE Spanish minister feels confident
| that he can count upon the courtesy and
| sense of justice of the United States gov
| ernment to enlighten public opinion upop
| this subject.
Fourth AS TO the cause of this lament
| oh ion IN n i'm
| of facts which can only be settled by
| material proofs. The Spanish minister re-
| iterates the assurance that his govern
ment is ready to submit the question to
| experts designated by the maritime powers
| whose conclusions are in advance ac-
cepted''
Senior Polo delivered the document in
| person to the state department, and aside
| from the interest in the communication il
| self the call had added interest as an
| evidence Of a renewal of diplomatic nego-
| tiations, this being his first call at the
| department in ten days.
| Later Senior Dubosc, first secretary of
| the legation, made another call at the state
department ON the same general subject.
Besides delivering the note, the call per-
mitted a personal exchange between the
| Secretary of State and the Spanish Off
| cials of an agreeable character.
During Senor Polo's call at the state
| department 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 to-day. The first effect
of this will be to bring about a complete
cessation of all Spanish hostilities through
out 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 insurgents.
| If the insurgents continue their fighting
and make attacks upon the Spanish troops
| the situation will become complicated, for
| il is hardly believed that the Spanish
forces will lay down their arms for any
length of time. If they continue to be un-
der fire from the insurgents.
The attitude of the insurgent advisers
| at Washington is that of rejecting the
| armistice.
Senior Quesada of the junta declared to-
day that the armistice was simply span
ish trick, designed to create the impress
sion that the insurgents were unreason-
! able From his standpoint nothing snort
of independence will satisfy the Cuoans.
1t remains to be seen how far Gen. Co
| uez and the insurgents in the field enter
| tain this view. If they also reject the
armistice, Spain is not likely to continue
n. and thus the resort to arms viii con-
tInue as il has been during the last three
| years,
There is little doubt, however. that
strong influences will now be brought TO
hear to induce the insurgents to suspend
hostilities so that terms for a.complete set
tlernent may be reached One OF the am
bassadors at Washington pointed out to-
dav that the influence of the Pope was
relied upon to considerable extent with
| the insurgents, as they are part OF a
country which is thoroughly Catholic and
loval to Rome While the influence of the
! great mowers is not likely 10 be eXerted in
any material way against the insurgents,
| vel this influence will be brought to bear
as far as possible from every moral stand
| point.
The influence of the United States gov
| ernment also viii be a very material fac
Tor in case the present crisis between
Spain and the United states is averted,
ana the armistice is accepted in Washing
ton as tentative ground for the solution
of the Cuban problem.
The attitude of Congress on the general
| subject is problematic. During recent