The herald., 1898-02-07
Not Very Long But Is Full
of Meat
M'KINLEY MUCH DISQUIETED
BY FADING HOPE OF FRIENDLY
SETTLEMENT
While Warlike Feeling in Spain
Grows Stronger Non-Combatants
in Cuba Are Dying by
Thousands =,

Special to The Herald.
WASHINGTON, Feb. e.-Premier Sa-
gasta has declined third offer OF
friendly mediation on the part Of the
United States. This information was
conveyed in a cipher message from Min
lister Woodford to President Mckinley
on Friday.
The message was most unusual one.
Instead of being addressed to the secre-
tary Of state, it was addressed to the
president, thing which has not hap
pened since Consul General Lees fam
Gus cablegram to President Cleveland
nearly year ago, in which he threat
ened to resign If not upheld in his efforts
to protect the lives and liberties Of
American citizens in Havana.
This cablegram from Minister Wood
ford was not long, but recited the fact
that Premier Sagasta refused to admit
that Spain had reached the end of her
rope in Cuba; that she was unable to
suppress the insurrection; that autono-
my was a failure, or that she needed
the assistance of the Unite States in
bringing the Cuban struggle to an end.
Minister Woodford is of an optimistic
temperament, but he sounded de-
spondent note in the communication,
which seems for the first time to have
aroused a sense of disquietude In Nc
Kinley's breast. The president has, up
to the present time, expressed conf
dence in an amicable solution Of the
whole affair. Today he is less certain
than ever, and inclining to the opinions
which he entertained nine months ago,
that action is to be forced upon him.
Sagasta's refusal to heed the sugges-
tions of the Rothschilds and other great
European bankers, that the war be
brought to an end by the acceptance
of American mediation, is due to the
premier's keen political recognition that
an election to the cortes is impending
and that Conservative majority will
become a certainty should the white
feather be shown toward the United
States prior to election.
Minister Woodford has expressed
doubt that the Sagasta ministry will be
able to control the elections, but since
the entire election machinery is in the
hands Of Liberals, it is fair to assume
that Sagasta will return for himself and
colleagues whatever majority he de-
sires in the cortes.
1t is said here that secret preparations
have been made to maintain an espion-
age over Spanish naval operations at
every point, In order to counteract any
upon the coast.
STARVING CUBANS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6. = (By AS
sociated Press.) Hon. Charles w.
Russell, assistant United States at
torney in the department of justice has
Just received the following letter ac-
knowledging the receipt of a New York
draft, mailed United States Consul
Barker at Sagua lie Grande, Cuba, whose
district of Las Villas embraces Santa
Clara, the capital of the province Of that
name; San Domingo, Remedies and
city in the same province in the eastern
part of the island. In explanation Of
his estimate of the number of deaths
from starvation up to the time of his
recent visit, viz, 10000, Mr.. Russell
says that he got that number from
the common talk in Cuba For instance,
he asked a Cuban what the insurgents
asked about accepting the offer of au-
tonomy, and the answer was that Spain
had put 100000 corpses between her and
them. referring evidently to the recon-
centrados The letter says:
1T is with unfeigned pleasure, as we'll
as with inexpressible gratitude, that we
acknowledge the receipt of your valued
favor of the 9th inst, transmitting $68,
United States currency, as donation to
the dispensario charitable institution
to care for the destitute and sick child
rem of this city, contributed as you say
by certain employees of your department
"JTp to date my district has received
nothing from the relief sent by our peo-
pie except through your thoughtful re-
membranes. OF course Consul General
LIE has not, nor will he ever, in my
humble Judgment, have sufficient con-
tributions sent to have some to share
with us, so remote and inaccessible in
transporting supplies In view of this.
contributions like yours, in money, will
aid in saving thousands who must die
without sustenance and medicine lmne-
diately furnished. For instance, this re-
mittance from the generous employees In
your department will prove more bene-
fcial than ten times the sum thirty days