The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-04-01
GENERAL BLANCO
IS CONSULTED
Spain kires Him the Substance Of
the Negotiations.
wooDFoRD AND sAGAsTA
Cannot Agree 10 cohisrsnes. bat Mill Meet
Again Madrid Papers Guarded
10 Their COmmsa,s.

Nev York. March 5i.-A dispatch 10 th'
World from Madrid says:
TIE Spanish government has wired tn
substance OF the negotiations between
this country and the United States T.
Captaln-General Blanco at Havana with
view Of obtaining his opinion Of th'
disposition OF the lnsular government
the autonomlsts and other colonial par.
ties. and as 10 what disposition the army
and the volunteers would show toward
the contemplated means 70 hasten the
paclacatlon Of cuba. While conalctlns
impressions prevail In political and diplo-
matte circles on the issue Of the negotia-
tions. the Impression Is that thu govern
ment will do its best to secure peace by
reasonable concessions 10 America and
cuba. although complete Independence
may not be conceded. Despite the re-
serve observed By both United States
Minister Wo9dford and the Spanish min
listers. II Liberal publishes what Is gen
orally considered an accurate account Of
the interview between General woodford
and Premier sagasta and Foreign Mn
ister Gullon.
According to FL Liberal, General Wood
ford began by earnestly dwelling on the
friendly and pacific disposition Of his gov
ernment and the desire OF the United
States for peace Premier sagasta OBJ
jected to the warlike preparations and at
tltude Of the American congress. but
General woodford explains that they
aimed only at defensive measures in case
OF Spain being the aggressor.
General woodford stated that he had
full power to make proposals, but not 70
make engagements outside OF his in
structions He then stated the views OF
tht American government on the Maine
afIair. making a suggestion which Pre-
mier sagasta pronounced inadmissible.
Then the principle Of arbitration was dis
cussed. General woodford showed con
crlatory disposition in relation to the
question og relief for the distressed Gu
bans which Spain does not object to CO.
operation with the United States. pro-
ylded no Intervention or official demon
stration be implied. Finally General
woodford proposed Americas plan for
the paclfcation OF Cuba, the
first step being an armistice. This led
him TO discuss with the Spanish minis
ters the situation Of the Spanish army
and volunteers. the duration of the armls-
tlee. the means to negotiate with the in
surgents, the concessions Spain would !
make and the course to be pursued in the |
went of the insurgents declining to ac-
,ept anything short OF independence.
No agreement was arrived at, save the |
Expression OF the desire on the part OF
10Th governments to act in concert and
stablish peace in cuba.
At parting General woodford and Pre-
nier sagasta agreed to meet again Thurs
ay after the minister had consulted Pres
dent Mckinley by telegraph and the pre-
nier had consulted the queen regent ana
he council of ministers on the points
iScussed.
Senior Gullon, the foreign minister,
tired full account of the conference to
he Spanish minister at Washington.
The Madrid papers are guarded in their
most of them affecting to
the foregoing account. This.
known to be correct in the main. Con-
derations of domestic Spanish politics
ave probably led Premier Sagasta and
hers of the cabinet to tell the reporters
lat it was exaggerated The ministers
d not however, deny that matters ,
lVa come IN n critical StnCa