Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11

proclaim yesterday was without conditions:
that her majesty's government had granted
liberal institutions on the Island of Cuba,
which the coming Cuban parliament would
develop; recalling the coincidence and SYM
pathy expressed by the queen regent and
her government on the disaster Of the
Maine and the horror this disaster had
~occasioned in Spanish hearts, and appeal
ing to the courtesy and sense of justice OF
the United States government to enlighten
public opinion upon the attitude of SPAIN
The note also repeated the offer of the
Spanish government to submit the Maine
question to experts designated by the mari
time powers of the world.
This document was the first official noti-
fication Of the Spanish government to the
United States of the granting of an ar1nfs-
tice and it's essential terms. Minister
Woodford's dispatch Of Saturday night had
briefly stated the fact that an armistice
had been agreed upon. but it was not COM
municated as coming from the Spanish
government. Last nights communication
cleared up misrepresentation on the most
vital point Of Spain's concession, namely,
that the armistice was without conditions.
Summary of the Note.
Although the Spanish note was surround
ed with the usual secrecy of official nego-
tiations 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 PUB
lie 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 follow
ing points:
"1st. Her majesty the Queen Regent of
Spain, DESTROYS of ending the troubles
which are desolating Cuba, has commanded
suspension of hostilities General Blanco
has been ordered to proclaim today an
armistice y'thout conditions. He will de-
termine lar 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.
I'd. Her majesty's government has
granted to the Island of Cuba institutions
as liberal those enjoyed by Canada I'M
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.
I'D Public opinion in this country APP
pears 10 ignore the IdcI tDat the loss OF
the Maine was Immediately followed by
official and reiterated expressions of con-
defence from her majesty the queen from
her government, from her charge d'affaires
in Washington and from the authorities IN
Havana; all of which tended to affirm the
horror which this disaster had caused to
arise in Spanish hearts, as also the SYM
pathy felt for the United States govern
ment and navy and for the American ma
ton.
THE Spanish minister feels confident that
he can count upon the courtesy and sense
of justice Of the United States government
to enlighten public opinion upon this SUBJ
ject.
18th. AS to the cause of this lamentable
condition, 1t resolves itself into a question
of facts, which can only be settled by ma
terial proofs The Spanish minister reit-
crates the assurance that his government
is ready to submit the question to experts
designated by the maritime powers, whose
conclusions are in advance accepted"
Senior Polo delivered the document in per-
son to the State Department, and aside
from the interest in the communication it,
self, the call had added interest as an evil
dence of a renewal of diplomatic negotia-
tions. this being his first call at the de-
first secretary of the legation. made an
other call at the department on tn. same
general subject. Besides delivering the
note, the call permitted a personal ex-
change between the Secretary of State and
the Spanish officials Of an agreeable char
acter.
During the minister's call at the State
Department he notified thu authorities that
word had come from Havana that Gen.
BlitEco had been prompt in executing the
orders OF the queen regsnl and that the
proclamation of armistice had been duly
promulgated. The first effec: If this will
be to bring about compiet. cessation of
all Spanish hostilities throughout the is
land. The Spanish troops will for the tina
being so 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 thu insurgents continue their fighting,
and make attacks upon the Spanish troops,
the situation will become complicated, for
the Spanish forces will hardly lay down
their arms for any length Of time If they
continue to be under fire from the insur-
gents.
Last Nights Cabinet Meeting.
Immediately after the call of Senior Polo
at the State Department another cabinet
meeting was called by the President and
assembled at the White House last night
At the close of the second cabinet meet
ing 1t was announced that the Presidents
message undoubtedly would go to Congress
at noon today. On the best authority OBJ
tainable it was stated that the meeting was
devoted wholly to the consideration of the
| addition to the message of the latest note
| from Spain advising this government of the
declaration of an unconditional armistice
The suffix to the Presidents message
merely recited this latest event in the de-
velopment Of the Spanish question, giving
| the substance of the Spanish note and
| recommending the earnest attention of
| Congress" Otherwise, 1t was declared. the
| message stood unchanged.
| After the meeting one member of the
| cabinet said that the Spanish note had not
| altered either the message or the situation.
| at Is merely" said he, what Spain has
been asking for all along-more time. It