La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-04-16
spxlNss Ngw MOVE.
Orders Blaneo to Grant an Armisttes
to the Insurgeuta


Washington, April 1O-The Spanish
government, through Its minister at
Washington. Senor Polo y Bernabe, to-
night delivered an important official
document to the State Department,
stating that the nrmistice which the
queen regent OF Spain had commanded
General Blnnco to proclaim to-day, was
without conditions; that her maJesty's
government had granted liberal insti-
tutions to the island OF Cuba which the
coming Cuban Parliament would
adopt; recalling the coincidence and
sympathy expressed by the queen re-
gent and her government on the disas-
ter of the Maine, and the horror this
disaster had occasioned In Spanish
hearts, and appealing to the courtesy
and sense of justice of the United
States government to enlighten public
opinion upon the attitude of Spain.
The note also repeats the offer OF the
Spanish government to submit the
Maine question to experts designated
by the maritime nations OF the world.
This document was the official notifi-
cation OF the Spanish government to
the United States government OF the
granting OF an nrmistice and Its essen
tial terms. The note was received by the
State Department after the Cabinet
meeting, and was one of the main sub
jects OF consideration at the second
Cabinet meeting held tonight.
During Senor Polo's call at the State
Department he notified the authorities
that word had come from Havana that
General Blanco had been prompt In ex-
ecuting the orders OF the queen regent,
and that the proclamation of the armis
tice had been promulgated to-day. The
first effect OF this will be to bring about
n complete cessation of all Spanish hos
tilities throughout the island. The
Spanish troops will, for the first time,
go into garrison. Their future dispo-
sitton has not yet been even considered
for much depends upon the duration of
the nrmistice and the course Of the in
surgents. II the insurgents continue
their fighting and make attacks on the
Spanish troops the situation Will become
complicated. for 1t Is hardly believed
that the Spanish forces will lay down
their arms for any length OF time II
they continue to be under fire from
the insurgents.
The attitude of the insurgent advis-
ers ut Washington is that OF rejecting
the armistice. Senior Quesada of the
junta declared to-day that the armis-
tice was simply Spanish trick. de-
signed TO create the impression that the
insurgents We're unreasonable. From
his standpoint nothing short OF indepen-
dence will satisfy the Cubans. 1t re-
mains to be seen how far General
Gomez and the insurgents In the field
entertain this view. II they also reject
the nrmistice Spain is not likely TO con-
tinue 1t. and the resort to arms will
continue rs 1t has been doing during
the last three years.
1t is not believed that the announce
ment OF Spain's concessions will pre-
vent the sending to Congress tomorrow
OF the Presidents message. 1t may be
slightly changed SO as to recommend
that Spain be given time to try the new
experiment.
After the meeting. one member Of the
Cabinet said that the Spanish note had
not altered either the message or the
situation. ut is merely" said he.
what Spain has been asking for all
,along-mOre time. 1t does not touch
the situation. and the Presidents mes
sage Is left precisely as 1t was. merely
stating the fact of the latest develop
ment." ,.-,,