The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-11


overnment through it's minister at
Washington. Polo de Bernabe. last night
elivsred an important official document
the state department stating that the
rmistice which the queen regent Of
pain had commanded General Blanco
proclaim was without conditions;
hat her maJesty's government had
ranted liberal institutions to the island
Cuba which the coming Cuban par
ament would develop. Recalling the
pndolence and sympathy expressed by
he queen regent and her government
the disaster of the Maine and the
errors this disaster had occasioned in
panish hearts, and appealing to the
ourtesy and sense OF justice Of the
nited States government to enlighten
ublic opinion upon the attitude OF
pain. the note also repeats the offer of
he Spanish government to submit the
iaine question to experts designated
the maritime powers OF the world.
his document was the official notifi-
alton of the Spanish government 10 the
Tnited States OF the granting Of an
rmistice and its essential terms.
Minister Woodford's dispatch Satur-
ay night had briefly stated the fact
hat an armiatice had been agreed upon,
ut It was not communicated as coming
rom the Spanish government. Sun
avs communication cleared up misap-
rehensions on the most vital point of
pains concession. namely, that the
rmistice was without conditions. It
Xtnu
fter a cabinet meeting Sunday morn
'ng. and was one of the main subjects
consideration at the second cabinet
heeting last night.
Although the Spanish note was sur
ounded with the usual secrecy of Of
cial negotiations. the following sum-
harry OF Its contents was secured: The
panish minister in Washington. deeply
oppressed by the numerous errors which
sem to have obtained credit in public
pinion In America In regard to the Gu
an question. considers 1t his duty to
all again the attention Of the secretary
state to the following points:
"First-Her majesty. the queen regent
< Spain. desirous OF ending the troubles
Yhich are desolating Cuba. has COM
banded a suspension OF hostilities.
feneral Rlanco hay been ordered to pro-
lain an armistice without conditions.
He will determine later the duration and
etails Of this armistice 80 as TO carry.
ut the generous intentions OF her
naJesty and the wishes OF the friends Of
eace.
"second-Her majesty's government
as granted to the island of Cuba insti-
n eel
canada under the British flag. The
Fuban chambers will meet on the 9TH OF
ext May. 1t will be their duty and
rivilege to put into practice and develop
hese institutions. In addition to this
Euba Is represented In the parliament at
.fadrid.
"Third-Public opinion In this country
ppears to ignore the fact that the loss
the Maine was Immediately followed
y official and reiterated expressions of
ondolence from her majesty, the queen.
rom her government, from her charge
'affaires in Washington and from the
uthorities in Havana, all OF which
ended to affirm the horror which this
isaster has caused to arise In Spanish
carts, as also the sympathy felt for the
nited States government and navy
nd for the American nation. The
panish minister feels confident that he
an count upon the courtesy and sense
& justice Of the United States govern
|nent to enlighten public opinion upon
his subject.
"Fourth-As to the cause of this Ia
hentable disaster. II resolved itself into
question OF facts which can only be
ettled by material proofs. The Span
Fh minister reiterates the Assurance
hat his government is ready TO submit
he question to experts designated by
he maritime powers. whose conclusions
re In advance accepted"
Mr.. Bernabe delivered the document
n person to the state department and.
side from the interest In the communi-
alton itself. the call had added interest
an evidence of renewal of diplo-
hattie negotiations, this being his first
all at the department in 10 days. Later
dr. DuBosc, first secretary of the le-
fation. made another call at the depart
nent on the same general subject.
During the ministers call. he notified
Pie authorities that word had come
rom Havana that General Blanco had
cen prompt in executing the orders of
he queen regent and that the proclama-
on Of armistice had been duly promul-
ated. The first effect Of this will be to
ring about q complete cessation of all
panish hostilities throughout the ISL
nd. The Spanish troops win for the
me being 60 into garrison. Their
|uture disposition has not even been
onsidered. for much depends upon the
Duration Of the armistice and the course
Z the insurgents. IL the Insurgents con-
inus their fighting and make attacks on
be troops. the situation will become COM
|licated. for II Is hardly believed that the
fpanish forces will lay down their arms
OF any length s-e time IL they continue
be under fire. The attitude OF the
nsurgent advisers at Washington IN
-