New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-15
SENIOR POLO'S LAST NOTE.
THE MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED AT
WASHINGTON on SUNDAY.
1T CONTAINS a STRONG APPEAL To THE AMERG-
CAN GOVERNMENT TO ATTEMPT TO REVERSE

PUBLIC OPINION N THIS COUNTRY
Washington. April 1.-the full text Of the
Spanish Minister'S note. delivered to the Secre-
tary Of State last Sunday night. which stands as
the last step taken In the diplomatic negotia-
lions between Spain and the United States. be-
came available for publication to-day. 1t fol-
lows:
MEMORANDUM.-The Minister Pienpoten-
tiary OF Spain has the honor to inform the hon
orable Secretary Of State Of the United states
or America that Her Majesty. the Queen Ke-
gent yielding To the reiterated requests OF His
Holiness. and inspired by sentiments Of peace
and concord which animate her, has given proper
instructions to the Genera-in- Chief Of the Army
Of Cuba in order that he should concede an i'm
mediate suspension Of hostlities for sucn zine
as he shall deem prudent for preparing and IA
cilitating peace in that island.
General Bianco has published to-day the corre-
spending proclamation. and reserves to himself
to fix in another the term and other details Of
It's execution. with the sole object of making
sure that measure Of such transcendent i'm
portance may lead in the shortest possible time
to the desired pacihcaton Of the great Antilla
In the fixing Of this term the Genera-in- Chief
Inspired by the most elevated sentiments. far
from raising any difficulties obstacles. is dis
posed to conccde all possible facilities.
The Government Of Her Majesty by this Inn
portant measure has crowned its extraordinary
efforts to obtain the pacihcaton Of Cuba by
means of reason and right.
AS FREE As CANADA.
The auton0mic Constitution. which grants to
the inhabitants Of the island Of cuba political
regime ~ least as liberal as that which rules
In the Dominion ~ Canada. will shortly enter
upon Its complete development when. the cleo
tons having taken place. the insuar Parlia-
ment shall meet in Havana the 18th Of Iay
next and such the franchises and liberties
granted to the Cubans that pretcxt IS left
TO them to ask fer more ample concessions.
Furthermore. "A : 10 island
scented in the Cortes of the kingdom. privilege
which Is not enjoyed by any other foreign
autonomic colony. the Cuba Senator's and Depu-
ties can there Explain their aspirations II they
should have any.
No one who knows the liberal spirit ~ the ma
jority Of the Spanish Cortes recently elected. and
the patriotic attitude OF the principal parties Of
the Opposition. can doubt that the Cubans will
obtain such notifications az they may desire in
justice within the limits OF reason and of the
nation sovereignty. according to the solemn
oner OF the premblea OF the royal decree OF
November -. 1894. while at the came time
the Government Of Her Majesty declared that
II would not withdraw. nor consent that there
should he Withdrawn. anything from the colo
NAL liberties franchises and privileges accorded.
The repeal u ;hc decree Of recommendation an
the aid of all kinds which the Government OF
Her Majesty has granted and has permitted to
be given TO the I-concentradOs. have put an end
TO lamentaple state Of affairs which was the
inevitable consequence Of the bloody conflict
provoked 10y small minority of the sons Of
cuba. directed and supported principally 10y
foreign Influences.
No impartial mind which has fun knowledge
Of the facts. distorted they have been and
are actually In everything referring to the Gu
ban question, can with Justice charge Spain
with being rcmss In seeking the means for
pac!fyng the island. or Gruiging In tie conces-
sion Of privileges. liberties and franchises for
the welfare and happiness 81 iis inhabitants
PUBLIC OPINION CRITICISED
The Government OF Her Majesty does not
doubt that the Government Of the United States
must recognize this. as Il VIII recognize the
manifest injustice with which part OF public
opinion In this country presupes 10 find re
probabilities for Spain IN the horrible catastro-
phe which occurred in tha port ~ HAVANA on
the unhappy night Of February L. last. Her
Majesty the Queen Regent. her responsible
Government. the Governor General Of Cuba the
insular Government and all the principal au-
thoritics OK Havana manifested from the FIRST
moment the profound srntiHrnts II horror
which that immense misfortune caused them
and the rympathy which IN Tint most sal &C.
casion bound them u thu American Govern
rnent and people
The proofs ~ this were the visits OF tho
Charge d'Anaires - Her Majesty 10 the Illus
trous President ~ the United states those ~
the highest spanish functlonarlcs 81 State 70
Mr.. Woodford tn" unsilntod aid given TO the
victims. we'll thr funeral arrangements
provided by the municipality Of Havana and
the notes addressed t. the Department OF State
4
April . Nos. T.. II and 33 respectively
The officers and crew Of the vessels Of war ~
Her Majesty near the Maine disrcgarding the
evident danger which threatened them. az the
officers Of that American battic-shlp recognized
Immediately lowered their boats ana saved Il
number Of the drowning. who only owe their
lives TO the prompt and eficacious ala 81 the
Spanish sailors.
1t IL strange that these notorious facts and
these solemn manifestations appear TO be- for
gotten by public opinion which gives credit on
the other hand, to the most absurd ana offensive
hypothesis.
The Government Of Her Majesty would be
deeply grateful TO the Justice and courtesy ~
that OF the United states If 1t should re-cstab-
lish officially the truth Of facts which appear to
be ignored not appreciated ard ignorance Of
which contributes powerfully 20 maintain the
extraordinary excitement which cndangcrs.
without any reason or motive. the friendly rcla-
tions between the two nations.
ARBITRATION AS TO THE MAINE.
With reference 10 the question Of fact which
result. from the diversity Of opinion between the
reports Of the Spanish and North American
Commissions the Government Of Her Majesty.
which get does not know the official text ~
these opinions. has fastened To declare itself
ready 10 submit the question to the decision of
impartial and disintcrcstcd experts. accepting in
advance the decision Of the arbitrators named
by both par,ics-nn evident proof Of the loyalty
and good faith with which Spain proceeds
this as on all occasions
The Minister Of Spain trusts that these mani
fcstatons, inspired by the loyal desire for peace
and concord which animatcs the Government OF
Her Majesty. will he appreciated ut their just
value by the President and Government Of the
United States.
Washington. April 10. 1898.
COMMENTS OF THE BRITISH PRESS.
THE ATTITUDE OF 1.-THE TINES not SUSTAINED
ny OTHER LONDON PAPERS