The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-11
Spain PrOclaims an Armistice
in Cuba
Without Condition or Reserya.
tiOn of Any Sort.
NO TINE LIMIT FIXED.
Duration Will Be Determined
by Developments.
She Wants to Arbitrate the
Maine Affair,

Washington, April 1.-THE Spanish
government, through its minister at
w washington, Senor Polo Rernabe. last
tilsnt 9asI oenVered an important official
stating that the armistice which the
queen regent of Spain had commanded
zen: Blanco to proclaim was without
conditions; that her majesty's govern
ment had granted liberal institutions to
the island of Cuba which the coming
cuban parliament would adopt; recall
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 mad
occaSioned in Spanish hearts, and ap-
peal1ng to the courtesy and sense of
justice OF the United States government
to enlighten public opinion upon the at
titude of Spain.
The note also repeats the offer of the
Spanish government to submit the
Maine question to experts designated
by the maritime powers of the world.
This document was the official noti-
hcation of the Spanish government to
the United States of the granting of an
arm1St1ce and its essential terms. Min
lister Woodfords dispatch had briefly
stated the fact that armistice had
been agreed upon, but it was not com
municated as coming from the Spanish
government. The communication itself
cleared up misrepresentation on the most
vital point of Spains concession, name
ly, that the armistice was without con-
ditions
Although the Spanish note was sur
rounded with the usual secrecy of Off
cial negotiations, the following summa-
ry of it's contents was secured:
The Spanish minister in Washington,
deeply impressed by the numerous err
rors which seem to have obtained credit
in public 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 following points:
'tFirSt-Her majesty, the queen re-
gent of Spain, desirous of ending the
troubles which are desoIating Cuba, has
commanded a suspension of hostilitfes.
Gen. Blanco has been ordered TO pro-
claim today an armistice without condi-
tionS- He will determine later the du-
ration 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 has granted to
the island of Cuba institutions as Hber-
al as those enjoyed by Canada under
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 institu-
tions. In addition to this Cuba is rep
resented in the parliament at Madrid
''Third-Public opinion in this country
appears to ignore the fact that the loss
of the Maine was Immediately followed
by official and reiterated expressions OF
coincidence from her majesty,the queen,
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 sympathy felt for
the United States government and navy
and for the American nation.
1.-The Spanish minister feels confident
that he can count upon the courtesy
and sense of justice of the United States
government to enlighten the public
opinion on the subject.
''Fourth-As to the cause of this la
mentable disaster it resolves itself into
a question of facts which can only be
settled by material proofs. The Span
ish minister reiterates the assurances
that his government is ready to sub
init the question to experts designated
by the maritime powers, whose con-
ciusions are in advance accepted.
Senior Polo Bernabe delivered the
document in person to the state depart
ment and aside from the interest in the
communication itself, the call had ad-
ded interest as an evidence of a renew
al of diplomatic negotiations this being
his first call at the department in ten
days Later Senior DuBosc, first sec
retary of the legation, made another
call at the department on the same gen.
eral subject Besides delivering the
note, the call permitted personal ex-
change between the secretary of state
and the Spanish officials of an agreeable