New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-01
ZEN. WOODFORD'S MISSION.
NEGOTIATIONS IN MADRID BEFORE THE
RUPTURE OCCURRED.
THE NOTES PRESENTED Ely THE AMERICAN MIN.
,srER AND THE SPANISH CABINETS REPLY
DETAILS OF THE EFFORTS FOR
a PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.

1srER AND THE SPANISH CABINETS REPLY
DETAILS OF THE EFFORTS FOR
A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.
London. April SO-"The Times" publishes three
column letter from Madrid the first instaiment of
re history OF the mission of General Stewart L.
Woodford 10 Spain on behalf OF the United States
The letter gives copious extracts from documents
exchanged by General Woodford with Senior Gulion
the Spanish Foreign Minister, and traces the course
n, the negotiations from official documents The
frs, instalment closes with General Woodfords
note OF December 80 The quotations from the cor
respondence appear to be literal and inspired II is
70, believed that they were furnished by the Span
,sh Foreign Office. that the American State De-
,ar:ment has given permission for their publication
and there is reason therefore. 10 suppose that
some orc about the legation has been talking too
.reejv or that the Minister'S confidence may have
been misplaced
The correspondent. commenting upon the cor
r,spondtnoe expresses the opinion that there would
have been rupture had President Cleveland re-
NAMED at the head OF affairs He adds: General
Woodfords mission though conducted by him with
scrupulous courtesy and moderation, made It i'm
rnediately evident that departure to be
taken
with tho advent OF President Mckinley" con-
,,nues the correspondent. "it was remarked that all
such assurances were scrupuiously avoided and in
dieat.ons given tina, only a short time would
~ accorded for the suppression OF the rebellion
The Spanish Government perceived there was dan
ger ahead. When General Woodford arrived he soon
let it be known that he had important mission TO
execute: but ne made distinctly favorable per-
sonal impression by his amiable. conclliatory and
scrupulously courteous manner giving all the Span
,sh Ministers the impression that ne would avoid all
unnecessary diplomatic friction.
Gradually. In the course OF private conversations
touching the matter OF Americas immense interests
illedS ~ no ehelli he haV
:iors O. Americas desires In the matter. and the
,.ca that the humane indignation felt In the United
States at General Weylers operations might eventu-
ally force the hand OF the Washington Government.
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY STATED
"AM this was conveyed IN the most guarded and
eoncia;ory language. but there could be little DOUBT
Of what was meant. On September Is. at San Sc
tas,ian General Woodford had his first interview
with the Duke OF Tetuan. After the customary
greetings had been exchanged. General Woodford
declared In the most positive terms that the f'esi
dent desired earnestly peace and friendship be-
tween Spain and the United States He then pro-
ceeded 10 read extracts from his instructions. AS
these were lengthy delicate and important the
Duke Of Tetuan suggested formal written comnu-
nication which he could submit to the Cabinet Coun-
ell Then followed desultory conversation. Cen
eral Woodford indicating Americas desires TO ten
der her good ofices TO secure peace. the Duke OF
were not doing their best TO stop hloustering Inc
conversation however was main tanned IN a cordial
and friendly tone.
"On September q the promised note was presented
"a prox document wherein the main purpose was
evident enough under a mass OF amaole veroase
After most liberal expressions and friendly assur-
ancex with review OF the history OF the Cuban re-
hel,on the note drew the following conclusion
st Is visionary for Spain 10 hope that Cuba even
II eventually subjugated by sheer exhaustion can
ever bear to spain anysnns b S oSvousy attempts
TO make Cuba worthless to the Cuoans, should they
Worthless TO Spain in the event OF reconquest
whether Cuba be regatned as subject possession
or endowed with reasonable measure or seh-ad-
mnistraton.
Then, representing that the sentiment OF the
American people strongly demands that II the
United States Is 10 maintain neutrality toward the
combatants II must be genuine neutrahty between
combatants fully recognized such in fact as well
q. IN name the note asks in the friendliest terms
.vbether the time has not arrived when spain OF
her own volition. and moved by her own interests
and BY every paramount sentiment OF humanity
will put a stop 10 this destructive war and make
PROPOSALS Of settlement honorable 10 herself and JUST
10 the Cuban colony and mankind
The note then proceeds 10 argue that negh-
boring nation could only for reasonable time re-
main passive spectator OF its endangered interests
before alleging and acting upon the rights II 700
nossesses The President. therefore. feels II his
duty 10 help bring about the results OF peace ana
prosperity in conformity alike with the feelings OF
e.. American neople the inherent rights Of civilized
man and be Of advantage both TO cuba ana 70
Spain.
After an assurance that 1t is far removed from
,he feelings OF the American people and from me
mind Of the President TO propose or suggest any 30
luton 70 which the slightest idea Of humiliation 10
c,sin could IN any way be attached, the note goes
on TO say:
..u Tho, :. asked or expected Is that some safe
way may be provided 'or the action when span pam
may undertake WITH an 5ISi be- lasting one For tho
accomplishment OF this oct now ehc .,e o,,srs
the Government Of the united STATES heieos oA''
its most kindly ofnces
The consequences that might ensue from re-
.,sal OF this offer stated with equal cearhess
81 cannot disguise the gravity OF me shoId
Ss oresent effort be fruitless his duty 10 his coun-
tryrnen will necessiate an early declsioh a. .roer
course OF action which time ana .'a"'0e ~
gencies may demand .
"Before the Spanish Government conio piepe
reply senor Canovas was assass'nated' Loe'"'
Cabine, was Installed. with more hopetu prospec''
{, peaceful compromise with the Cn'eo ''Ae'
THE SPANISH CABINETS REPLY
"a, soon as the Ministers had time TO examine
the situation. they prepared cohcihatoiy 'ep'' "
handed II 10 General Wood.ord on Octooer -
.r, this document Senior Gulon returned Spain 8
ASSURANCES o. sympathy and good WILL addihs 'nat
she took the friendly assurances or 'he On''e'
States to explain any omission or CONFUSION OF S'"
naent originating either in the elevated purpose u
cu.cxly attaining ends which are considered human"
or In the natural and warm defence OF oohsa'o"'
ard Interests which considered sacred "pd'''
therefore. regarded as thereby removed from w
words OF the note any threatening character WHO"
might on first impression be attributed 10 'he''
The reply admitted certain amount ~ nv
Indirectly inflicted the United States as must al
ways happen 10 neighbors when there are 'roo"ee'
disturbances in an adjacent country ana II au
rr.ted that this justified the desire TOT pea" anu
friendly observation; but 1t never )us'i'es '"'e'
ence Intrusion
THE GulIon note believed that the Liberal MIN
!sry was well fitted 10 initiate measures carry 10
te-ui,a,a ~. q,rrccle and Il outlined the autono-