The Portland daily press., 1898-04-09
GEN. wooDFoRD SURPRISED.


had the assurance that the armistice pro-
clamation would be issued today (Ihurs-
day, and as late as 5 O'Clock in the al
ternoon he was confident that everything
was practically settled What caused
the change, has not yet been fully ex-
planned.
The bellicoss tone of todays (Thurs-
day )press reflects the general opinion that
war is inevitable and it produced nut
ter, especially among Americans, who
crowded the legation for news and to
ascertain the measures being taken for
their protection.
1t was rumored during the day that
General Woodford had closed not only
his own house, but the legation as we'll,
and that he had sought refugesat the
British ambassadors. The General, how
unruff1ed and receiving the ambassadors
and other visitors.
''No, sir, this legation is not closed
while I remain said Gen. Woodford.
"And 1 remain until directed to apply
for my passports, or until they are hand
ed to me. When l go, it will not be be-
tween night and morning, but openly,
as soldier should. Americans will have
no reason to be ashamed of the manner
in which their representative leaves Ma
drid when that step is necessary. sent
Mrs. Woodford away because she was ill
My daughter will remain with me and
my house will remain open until the
British flag is hoisted over our legation.
QUIET IN HAVANA.
Madrid, April s, $40 p. m.-The streets
wore more crowded today than yesterday
large numbers of people gathering to
witness the religious procession which is
one of the features of Good Friday. 1t
passed near the United States legation In
which vicinity the crowds were the most
dense, but there was no demonstration.
In fact, perfect order prevails everywhere.
A decree establishing national naval
subscription has been drawn up but the
Queen Regent has postponed placing her
signature to it. The name of the Queen
Regent appears at the head of the SUBJ
scription list
The minister for the colonies, Senior
Moret, is indisposed. On account of his
indisposition which is said to be the re-
suit of cold, there was no cabinet meet
lug today but it Ia said that a meeting of
the ministers will be held tomorrow to
deal with Washington dispatches which
are hourly awaited.
The Liberal this evening says the gov
eminent has decided to send note to the
Pope, thanking him for his good offices
and begging him to preserve, but the
Liberal adds, "the government does not
pledge itself to accept the Papal decision.
The Heraldo also says tonight: Spain
remains in the same state Of expectation
and uncertainty MS yesterday. It is i'm
specting the Pope's mediation and the
Intervention of the great power.
WORKING FROM SENSE OF DUTY.
Madrid, April 8. 4.45 p. m.-General
Woodford has sent cable message to
Washington setting forth that the pub
LEGATION of his statement yesterday had
done good in Madrid and will do good
throughout Spain. But the end is still
very doubtful. The general Is working
from sense of duty rather than with
what hope is left remains upon the evil
dent fact that the sober sense of Spain is
slowly coming to the front and that in
few days if few days can still be bad,
we shall see "a capitalization of public
sentiment that will sustain the present
Spanish government if it has the courage
to do at once the things that are neces-
sary for peace
NO MORE NEGOTIATIONS.
Madrid, April 8, D. ma despatch
from Washington just received says no
negotiations have been initiated there
and none will be undertaken abroad ex-
cept through General Woodford, who is
instructed to negotiate only on the basis
Of the note presented at the recent confer
ence, namely, the immediate cessation of
hostllities and the furnishing OF aid to
the reconcentradOs.
With reference to the above Senior Sa-
gasta says the Spanish government has
no intention of opening further negotia-
tions. The Spanish government today
remitted to Rome it's full reply to the
Pope's suggestion of an arlnistice.
OPPOSITION TO ARMISTICE.
Madrid. April 8, (via Paris.)-The
main opposition to the armistiee in Cuba
which was suggested by the Queen Re-
gent and the ministsr for the colonies,
Senior Moret, came from the ministers for
war and marine, General Correo and Ad-
mtral BermeJo. IT Senior Sagasta, the
premier, had not yielded they would have
and, at the present critical
juncture. such action would have deprived
them of the heads of the two principal
and, it was feared, it would
have been impossible to replace these
in view Of the present temper
IF the army and navy.
SPAIN MUST NOT STRIKE COLORS.
Madrid, ApriIS, Noon-General Correo,
5he Spanish minister for war, in his in
IerVl6W VI yeSUefQdy also sdlus Opetlu
must not be alarmed if war is declared at
5he sinking of a Spanish warship. What
we must at all costs avoid is a Spanish
striking her colors to the Ameri-
IAN flag. She should rather explode her
magazines, / wish to God Spain had not
/ warship from Cuba to the Peninsula.
We could then say to America: We are
acre; meet us when you please.
EPOCA WEAKENS A LITTLE.
Madrid, April 8, p. m.-The Epoca
tonight will give great Importance to the
lction of the European powers in inviting
jhe government not to assume stiff |
1ecked attitude, since their intervention |
nay be advantageous to Spain. 1t thinks |
The key of the situation is in Senior Sa-
gasta's hands and although the Epoca is
the paper which has fought most con-
,istently lately against peace it will say |
hat the country does not want war unless
forced into conflict.
THINKS LEE IN NO DANGER.
Havana, April s, 10. 90 p. MIA Lucia
Today, commenting on the attitude of
Consul General Lee declines to believe
hat he has sent word to the papers in the
United States that the Americans in |
Havana are in danger The article which |
s very fair, says that General Lee repre- |
ents the United States and not Spain, |