The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-04-09
STRIVING FOR PEACE.
The Position as Seen at Madrid
Minister Woodford's Efforts.


the most liberal Cabinet she has
ever known, has gone as far as a
nation can
The Liberal, Sagasta's organ, says;
SHOULD President Mckinley agree
to it, the danger which threatens
peace will cease, and the tension be-
tween the two countries will cease.
Should he not agree, we accept with
a tranquil conscience the trials
which are in store in defense OF our
honor and our rights"
Following are some OF the details
of the negotiations which have been
going on during the last three days,
leading up to the present issue.
Some days ago q note was sent to
the Spanish Government, not, as has
been stated, suggesting Intervention,
but urging the Spanish Govern
ment to think of some means by
which the present unfortunate con-
dition Of affairs could Immediately
be brought to an end. The reply
made to this by the Minister of For
eigu Affairs was that it was impossi.
BILE.
Senior Gullon is somewhat
naughty statesman, who sticks to
the tradition that Spain is perfectly
able to manage her own affairs, es-
pecially those which concern Cuba.
To save time request was made
chat America should give and distri-
butte food worth half million dol
lars among the starving Cubans,
This latter request was agreed to.
This gave an opening to the
United States Government, and
General Woodford pursued his
course in the cause of peace by sug-
costing that an armistice be an
nouuced by the Spanish Govern
ment, he undertaking that the
United States would obtain the ac-
ceptance of the same by the insur-
gents. He begged that reply
might be given at once.
Again there came from the Spanish
Minister for Foreign Affairs word
that it was impossible.
Nothing daunted, General Wood
ford, seeing his way, and this the
only way, to honorable and just
peace, satisfaction to Spain, the
United States and Cuba, eabled on
Sunday to the President, who gave
General Woodford full power 10 act
in the direction he indicated. Spain
failing to accept any Of the plans,
President Mckinley authorized the
Minister to break off diplomatic re-
lations. This, OF course, meant the
certain Intervention OF the United
States in Cuba
Finding Senior Gullon nen-compli.
ant, General Woodford applied,
through the Minister Of Foreign
Affairs, for conference with Pre-
mier Sagasts, asking Seniors Gullon
and Moret to be present.
This most solemn meeting, which
really meant peace or war, was held,
as | announced, on Tuesday. The
conference. which will be recorded
on a page of history, was truly re-
markable. General Woodford had,
it is said, intended to have delivered
notes of requests, which he had
written down, and retire with few
words, but he changed his mind,
and after reading the requests made,
which are summarized above, he
proceeded in his own eloquent man.
ner, so we'll known in the United
States courts, to plead good reasons
upon the score OF humanity, COM
mon sense, economy and peace,
which made it evident that Spain
had but one course to adopt. He
told them how anxious the United
States was for peace, and how anxi-
Gus his Government was to prove it
in this way.
Sagasta, the veteran Spanish
statesman, at this spoke out, and
in his brilliont oratorical style, cast
doubts upon the methods America
took of showing a desire for peace
by arming to the teeth.