The Portland daily press., 1898-03-28
SPAIN WILL YIELD NO FURTHER.
Substance of Reply Said To Have Been
Made To Minister woodSord.

London, March s7.-The Madrid corrs-
sroniient of the Times noting that Spain
at present is playing relatively passive
part in the development of the situation,
says:
1.-The ministry, however, is eager to
draw President McKinley's attention at
the earliest moment to the report of the
Spanish commission as to the Maine dis
aster, and it is understood that a messen-
ger is going post haste from Havana with
the document, reaching Washington,
probably on tuesday. The governments
believes that the simultaneous presenta-
ton of the two reports to Congress would
advert, or at any rate. mitigate any
.Unpestuous display Of feeling.
The Madrid correspondents Of the Stan
dard says:
Wednesday, United States Minister
Woodford had ar official interview with
the ministers of foreign affairs and the
colonies Seniors Gullon and Moret lt
lasted two hours. General Woodford left
with them an official note explaining
fully the views and intentions Of the
American government.
In this document no comminatory in
timation was made nor any date fixed;
Dut it was clearly and firmly stated that
the United States government could not
longer withhold from Congress the corre-
spondence and consular reports which not
9nly put in full light the condition Of the
distressed rural population of Cuba, the
Inadequate relief and the persistence of
disaffection, but also showed that the new
colonial policy and other efforts of Spain
had not produced the results that would
justify holding out the prospects of early
pacitication.
Consequently, the American note lays
stress upon the fact that contingencies
are now fast approaching for the action
which was foreshadowed in the Presi-
Dental messages and diplomatic corre-
Trondence so frequently and clearly
during the last three years.
General Woodford had by appoint
nient, another official interview with
S'enOr Gullon, in which he received the
official reply Of the Spanish government
to the American memorandum eft N..rch
23
"The Spanish reply, couched in firm
language, says that the Spanish govern
ment cannot agree with the conclusions
the American government has drawn
from inaccurate information, that does
not tally with the recent activity and
progress of the military operations in
Cuba and the visible popularity and
progress OF the new colonial institutions.
Spain, the reply continues, cannot
naturally admit the interference which is
foreshadowed in the Americans note and
ieprecates the sending of official relief
and war vessels to Cuba as being the very
clements that have retarded the paci fica-
tion of the colony. Spain reminds the
American government of all the con-
cessions she has made to preserve peace
full relations and to conciliate the United
States, the last proof being her willing
ness to submit the conflicting commission
reports as to the Maine to arbitration.
s'In conclusion the Spanish reply shows
that the government believes it has
reached the extreme limit of concessions
with the honor and dignity of
Spain and will admit no encroaoh,uents
on her rights OF sovereignty in the west. -
The Washington correspondent OF the
Daily Chronicle says: "Spain has inti-
mated to the governments of the United
States that it has new plan of autonomy
to propose and trusts that the United
States will induce the Cubans to accept
It, The details of the scheme are as yet
but it is believed the Pc oject
would give the Cubans virtual independ-
ence."