Evening journal., 1898-04-11
THE CABINET MEETING.
Tho Presidents Message VIII Go to Con-
Eross Practically Unchanged.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE cabi-
net was In almost continuous session
yesterday afternoon and evening The
Information before the president and
his advisers consisted Of a dispatch
from Minister Woodford that the queen
had directed Captain General Blanco to
grant an armlstioe with a view 10 tho
cessation Of hostllitieB, the terms and
conditions, II Is understood. being left
for General Blanco to determine. The
members were rather reticent when
Hsked as to the questions discussed dur
ing the meeting, but one member whose
tendencies always have been strongly
conservative and pacific, said that the
new Information at hand did not in
any important degree change the situ-
alton. There seemed TO be practical
unanimity among the members that the
new development would not have any
influence with the president in deferring
the sending Of the message to congress,
and one OF the members said in reply
10 an inquiry that practically there
would be no change In the document:
hat 1t would not be different from what
has been stated in the newspapers re-
peatodly to be its substantial features
and that It would declare for armed in
tervention.
Replying to another question as to
whether any steps had been or would
be taken by this government with a
view TO having the insurgents consid-
cred and recognize the principle Of an
armlstlce IL proposed by General Blan-
co, one member of the cabinet replied
in the negative.
Assistant Secretary Day was at the
White House during "A considerable por-
lion Of the time OF the meeting Of the
cabinet, but he declined positively to
make public any information the state
department had.
General John NJ. Schoneld, retired,
called at the White House during the
day. but the president. being engaged
with his cabinet he failed TO see him.
General Schofield has been mentioned
as a possible military adviser to the
president In the case Of hostllities, and
when spoken 10 on the subject said. Il
am at the service Of the president"
The spanish government. through It's
minister at Washington, Senior Polo y
}ernabe, last night delivered an lmpor-
tant official document to the state de-
partment, stating that the armistice
which tho queen regent Of Spain had
commanded General Blanco TO proclaim
was without conditions; that her maj
csty's government had granted liberal
Institutions TO the island Of Cuba which
phe coming Cuban parliament would de-
vciop. Recalling the coincidence and
sympathy expressed by the queen re-
sont and her government on the disas-
er of tho 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 govern
ment to submit the Maine question to
experts designated by the maritime
powers OF the world.
This document was the official notifi-
cation Of the Spanish government to
the United States OF the granting of an
! arnistice and it's essential terms.
Minister Woodfords dispatch Satur-
day night had briefly stated the fact
that an armistlce had been agreed up
on, but II was not communicated as
coming from the Spanish government.
Yesterdays communication cleared up
misapprehension8 on the most vital
| point OF Spain's overwhelmingly
Il
tlons. The note was received by the
state department after the first cabinet
meeting and was one Of the main sub
iects OF consideration at the second cab
met meeting held last night. Although
] the Spanish note was surrounded with
1 the usual secrecy of official negotiations
the following summary Of its contents
! was secured:
| THE Spanish minister In Washington
deeply impressed by the numerous err
rors which seem to have obtained credit
In public opinion in America in regard
TO the Cuban question, considers It his
duty to call again the attention OF the
secretary Of state of the United States
to the following points.
'First.-Her majesty the queen re.
| gent Of Spain, desirous Of ending the
troubles which arc desolating Cuba. has
| commanded a suspension of hostllitles
| General Blanco has been ordered L,
| proclaim today an armistice without
conditions. He will determine later tn,
duration and details of this armistic,
so as To carry out the generous inter.
tions of her majesty and the wishes o
the friends OF peace.
| "Second.-Her majesty's government
has granted TO the island of Cuba in
stitutions as liberal as those enjoye,
by Canada under the British flag. Tn,
Cuban chambers will meet on the an
of next May. II viii be their duty an,
privilege to put into practice and de
velop these institutions. In addition I,
this. Cuba is represented in the parlia
ment at Madrid.
"Third.-Public opinion IN this coun
try appears TO ignore the fact that tn
loss OF the Maine was Immediately fol
lowed by official and reiterated express
sions of coincidence from her majesty
the queen, from her government. from
her charge d'afaires I'm Washingto,
and from the authorities in Havana. al
Of which tended to affirm the horro
which this disaster has caused to aris
in Spanish hearts, as also the sympath,
felt for the United States government
3 and navy and for the American nation
THE Spanish minister feels confiden
. that he can count upon the courtes
? and sense of justice of the United State
government to enlighten public opin
I ion upon this subject
= 'Fourth.-As to the cause OF this la