The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-13
SPAIN BACKS DOWN.
Armistics Officially Said to be Uneondi-
tional-
THE SPANISH MINISTER CALLS At THE
STATE DEPARTMENT.

w MASHINGTON. April lO.--j DC cpdbieu
| Government, through its minister at
Washington, Senior Polo de Bernabe, to-
night delivered an important official doc
nmenf to the State Department stating
that the yrnistiee which the Queen Re
gent Of Spain had commanded General
Blanco TO proclaim to-day was without
conditions, that her Majesfy's govern
ment had granted liberal institutions to
the Island Of Cuba, which the cousing
Cuban parliament would develop; resali
ing the coincidence and sympathy ex-
pressed by the Queen Regent and her
government on the disaster Of the Maine.
and the horror this disaster had occsaioned
in Spanish hearts, and appealing 70 the
courtesy and sense Of justice Of the Uni
ted States government to enlighten pub
| lie opinion on the attitude of Spain. The
note also repeats the offer of the Spanish
government to submit the Maine ques-
ton 10 experts designated by the mari
time powers of the world.
This document was the official notifica-
ton OF the Spanish Government TO the
United States Of the granting Of an armis-
tice and its essential terms. Minister
WOodford's despatch last night had briefly
stated the fact that an armistice had been
agreed upon, but it was not commune
Gated as coming from the Spanish gov
ernment. To-day communication clear
ed up misapprehensions on the most vital
point of Spain's concession-namely, that
the armistice was without conditions.
The note was received by the State De-
partment after the first Cabinet meeting,
and was one Of the main subjects OF con-
sideration at tbe second Cabinet meeting,
held tonight. Although the Spanish note
was surrounded with the usual secrecy
Of official negotiations, the following sum-
mary of its contents was secured:
''The Spanish minister in Washington,
deeply impressed by the numerous errors
which seem to have obtained credit in
public opinion in America in regard TO
the Cuban question, considers it his duty
10 call again the attention of the Secre-
tary of State of the United States to the
following points:
'First-Her Majesty, the Queen Regent
of Spain, desirous of ending the troubles
| which are desolating Cuba, has COM
manded a suspension of hostilities. Gen
eral Blaneo has been ordered 10 proclaim
to-day an armistice without conditions.
He will determine later the duration and
details of this armistice so as to carry out
the generous intentions of Her Majesty
and the wishes of the friends OF peace.
''Second-Her Majesty's government
has granted to the island of Cuba institu-
tiOns as liberal as those enjoyed by Can
ada under the British flag. The Cuban
chambers will meet on the fourth of next
May. 1t will be their duty and privilege
to put into practice and develop these in
stitutiOns. In addition 10 this, Cuba is
represented in the parliament at Madrid,
"Third-Publie opinion in this country
appears 10 ignore the fact that the loss of
the Maine was Immediately followed by
official and reiterated expressions Of con-
dolence from Her Majesty, the Queen.
from her government, from her charge
d'affaires in Washington. and from the
authorities in Havana, all OF which tend
ed to affirm the horror which this disaster
has caused to arise in Spanish hearts. as
also the sympathy felt for the United
States government and navy and for the
American nation.
''Phe Spanish minister feels confident
that he can count upon the courtesy and
sense of justice of the United States gov
ernment to enlighten public opinion upon
this subject.
"Fourth-As to the cause Of this lam
entable disaster, it resolved itself into a
question of facts which can only be set
tied by material proofs. The SPANS b
minister reiterates the assurance that his
government is ready to submit the ques-
tion to experts designated by the mari
time powers, whose conclusions are in
advance accepted"
Senior Polo delivered the document in
person 10 the State Department, and,
aside from the interest in the commune
cation itself, the call had added interest
as an evidence of renewal of diplomatic
negotiations, this being his first call at
the department in ten days. Later. SeEor
Dn Bose, first secretary of the legation,
made another call at the department on
the general subject. Besides delivering
the note, the call permitted personal ex-
change between the Secretary of State
and the Spanish officials of an agreeable
| character