Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-01
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Spain's Reply.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-The reply of
Spain is said, in effect, to be: The indie
pendence of Cuba means the parting or
ces sion of Spanish territory, which can
not I've done without the consent OF the
Spanish Cortes, which is not in session
and will not be in session until April
q, and consequently no definite an.
sWer Gin be returned to the demand OF
the United States until the Cortes as
sembles. Then q counter proposition
is submitted that the Cuban matter
shall be settled upon basis equitable
among nations. The United States is
asked to give Spain time to treat with
the insurgents and ascertain what can
be done in the nature of a peaceful set
Element.
Senators who know the nature OF the
reply say it is very shrewd piece OF
diplomacy and made for its effect upon
the world at large.
1t is said the reply is unsatisfactory
to the President and that he does not
believe it will be satisfactory to Con-
gress. Administration circles feel that
after Monday Congress is likely to take
matters into its own hands end fear l5
! expressed that there may be a disagree
ment between the branches of govern
ment, which would be unfortunate at
this critical period.
No one about the Capitol has under.
taken to speak for the President, al
though those who have seen him say
his hopes of peaceful solution of the
difficulty have been disappointed by the
reply of Spain.
The following is an abstract from the
| telegram received from Gen. Woodford
on the evening of March 81, on the
general situation in Cuba:
He informs the government of the
United States that Gen. Blanco has re-
voked the bando relating to the recon-
Cuba, which are understood to be the
provinces of MatauZas, Santa Clara,
Havana and Pinar del Rio; that the
Spanish government has placed at the
disposal of the encouragement the
credit OF 100000 to the end that the
country people may return at once and
with success to their labors.
The Spanish government will accept
whatever assistance to feed and succor
the necessitous may be sent from the
United States in accordance with the
plan now in operation. He proposes
to confide the preparation for an hon
orable and stable peace 10 the Insular
Parliament without whose concurrence
the Spanish government would not be
able to arrive at the final results, being
understood that the powers reserved
| by the constitution to the central gov
eminent are not essened or diminish
ed. AS the Cuban Chambers will not
meet until the 4.h of May, the Spanish
government will not, on its part, OBJ
ject to a suspension of hostilities, if ask
ed for by the insurgents from the Gen.
ral-in-cbief, to whom it will belong to
determine the duration aud the condi-
ton OF the suspension.
The President will communicate with
Congress as soon as he can prepare
message.
10 connection with the official state
ment made public this afternoon it can
be said on authority that the case as
now made up by the negotiations be-
tween Spain and the United States will
constitute the case as it will be sub
mitted to Congress in the Presidents
message. There is no present inten.
ton Of pursuing negotiations which
will change the status of the Cuban
question as pow presented in the CORE
spondence between Spain and the
United States