The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-11
L68 Will Sail for
Washington al Once
He was the Last to Leave Having Directed the American
Fleet Composed of the OIivette and the
Bache to Precede Him.

the Spanish situation. With the
Presidents message ready to go
to Congress tomorrow, Spain's grant
of an armistice had brought about Il new
condition, which compelled the President
and his advisors to meet and consider
how far the situation was affected by
Spain's concession. AS a result the un-
usual, if not unprecedented condition
arose for two Cabinet meetings on Sun
day, one about noon time, lasting an
hour and half, and another at s O'Clock
tonight. While the streets We're
thronged with people, going to their
easter services early in the day, the car
riages of Cabinet officers were center
ing at the White House to take up the
latest phases of the Spanish situation.
The Cabinet meeting led to no change in
the determination that the President's S
message would go TO Congress to-mor-
row. 1t seemed evident, however, from
the new conditions presented by the
grant of an armistice, that the message
should deal with these conditions in or
der that Congress might be fully advised
on the latest phases of the subject. Cab
met officers were extremely reticent over
the changes in the message, although it
seemed to be understood that the facts
relating to the armistice would at least
be Incorporated, even though the general
policy OF the message underwent no
change.
TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE.
The Spanish government through its
Minister ut Washington, Senor Polo de
Bernabe. tonight delivered an import
ant document to the State Departmet,
stating that the armistice. which the
Queen regent of Spain had commanded
General Blanco to proclaim to-day. was
without conditions, that Her Majesty's
government had granted liberal institu-
tions OH the island of Cuba, which the
coming Cuban parliament would develop;
recalling the coincidence and sympathy
expressed by the Queen regent and her
government on the disaster of the Maine,
and the horror the disaster had occa-
stoned in Spanish hearts, and appealing
to the courtesy and sense of justice of
the United States government to en-
tighten public opinion upon the attitude
of Spain. The note also repeats the
offer of the Spanish government to sub
nit the Maine question to experts desig-
mated by the Maritime powers of the
world. :.
This document was the official notif-
cation OF the Spanish government to the
United States. of the granting of an
armistice and its essential terms. Min
ster Woodford's dispatch last night bad
briefly stated the fact that an armistice
had been agreed upon. but it was not
communicated as coming from the Span
:Sll government. To-day's communica-
ton cleared mp misapprchension OH the
most vital point of Spain'@s concessions,
namely, that the armistice was without
conditions. The note was received by
the State Department after the first
Cabinet meeting, and was one of the
main subjects of consideration ut the
second Cabinet meeting held tonight.
Although the Spanish note was surround
ed with the usual secrecy Of official ne
gotiations, the following summary of its
contents was secured:
THE Spanish Minister in Washington,
deeply impressed by the numerous errors
which seem to have obtained credit i'll
public opinion in America i'll regard to
the Cuban question in America, in re-
gard to the Cuban question, consitArs it
his duty to call again the attention of
the Secretary Of State Of the United
States to the following points:
''First-l1er Majesty. the Queen Re
gent of Spain, DESTROYS of ending the
troubles which are desolating Cuba ha=
commanded u suspension of hostilities.
General Blanco has been ordered to
proclaim to-day an armistice without
conditions. He will determine later the
duration 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-Hea' Majesty's government
has granted 10 the island of Cuba insti-
tntions as liberal as those enjoyed by
Canada under the British flag. The Gu
ban Chambers will meet OH the 4th of
next May. 1T will be their duty and
privilege to put into practice and develop
these institutions In addition to this
Cuba Is represented IN the parliament
mt Madrid
"Third-Public opinion in this country
appears to ignore the fact that the
loss of the Maine was Immediately fol
lowed by official and reiterated express
sions of coincidence from Her Majesty
the Queen. from her g>~rnmenr, from
her Charge d Affaires in Washington
anu from the authorities IN Havana;