New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-08
NO CUBAN CRISIS NEAR.
RELATIONS WITH SPAIN PRACTICALLY
UNCHANGED.
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY REMAINS AS AN
NoUNCED IN HIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
NO NEW INSTRUCTIONS SENT TO
MINISTER wOoDFoRD.
fRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.1

much importlnce has been attached In some
parts OF this country. appears to be largely
imaginary Assistant Secretary Day. of the
State Department. has not been Informed by
Minister Woodford Of any material change IN
the situation II has dragged on for severai
months. and it is incredible to him that the
Minister should have Jailed to report by cable
the substance of any disqueting experience.
such as certain press dispatches have described
as taking place when Premier Sagasta replied
to an alleged ultimatum Minister Woodford had
Just presented
IT Is averred. apparently with all sincerity az
the State Department that no recent instruc-
tions modifying his amcable attitude have
been sent to the representative Of the United
States at Madrid and confidence Is felt tnat
General Woodford is too astute diplomat 10
transfer the delicate negotiations into his own
hands and take any step which might provoke
crisis without first consulting the Admins
traton at Washington.
THE NEGOTIATIONS IN MADRID.
No doubt is felt that Spain has formally COM
municated with General Woodford In the last
week in conformity with a promise MADE oy
Premier Sagasta in December that the repre-
sentatons made by this Government at that
time should be considered and formal reply
/
ply however seems not Of sufficient Importance
| TO General Woodford to cable resume OF IT,
| nor does the State Department evince enough
! curiosity as to what the reply may contain 10
! ask for a telegraphic abstract. The answer Is
| known to be merely a counter-rejoinder or an
| argtImentative nature along the lines OF ia
| gasta's first official note to the United States
! following the presentation OF General "ood-
! ford's original instructions. These Instructions
which have almoI passed out OF the pupNc
mind were written in July last and according
! to a high authority have not since peen mate
! rally modified.
Their preparation was only concluded al'er
! the most palnstaking consultation with many
! leading men Of the country. and. according u
President McKinleys annual Message to Con-
! gress last December they directed General
| Woodford to impress upon Spain the sincere
! wish OF the United States to lend It's aid toward
! the ending Of the war in Cuba by reaching
! peaceful and lasting result just and honorable
! alike to Spain and to the Cuban people
! PRESIDENT MKINLEYs ATTITUDE.
| "These Instructions" continued the President.
"recited the character and duration OF the con-
| test the widespread losses 1t entails, the DUR
| dens and restraints 1t imposes upon u.s. with
constant disturbance OF National interests. and
|
ance of this state Of things. 1t was stated tina;
| ut this juncture Government was con-
strained to seriously inquire II the time was not
rIpe when Spain Of her own votion. moved by
| her own interests and every sentiment OF hu-
/ manity should put stop to this destructive
| war and make proposals Of settlement honor
| able TO herself and just to her Cuban colony.
| 1t was urged that neighboring Nation,
| with large interests in Cuba we could be re-
qulred to wait only reasonable time tor the
mother country to establish Its authority ana
| restore peace and order within the borders or
| the Island; that could not contemplate an
indefinite period for the accomplishment or this
| result No solution proposed to which the
slightest idea OF humiliation to Spain could at
| tacb and indeed precise proposals were with
held to avoid embarrassment to that Govern
| ment All that was asked or expected was that
some safe way might be speedily proViueu anu
| permanent peace restored
These representations intended to reach
| Canovas hut his assassination caused the
| change Of Government which gave Sagasta the
| responsibility Of considering them. His reply,
which reached Washington on October % ad-
| mitted that the United States was deeply ar
| fected by the in Cuba, and that It's desires
| for peace were just. 1t declared that the pres
| ent Spanish Government was bound by every
| consideration 10 a change Of policy that should
| satisfy the United States and paclfy Cuba with
| I'm a reasonable time 1t explained the projected
| autonomy plan, and guaranteed the conduct OF
| military operations on more humane lines and
| with ALL regard for private rights 1t COM
| hated the idea OF an indefinite proiongation or
the war asserted that the western provinces
| were already welnigh reclaimed. and expressed
| homes OF very early and complete pacifcation.
In conclusion It intimated that the interna-
t,onal duties and responsibilities Of the United
| ctatea IL completely fulfilled, would materially
assst in the suppression OF flibusters. Early
In December this charge OF dereliction on the
mart of the country was fully met, the enor-
nous expense and extent OF American EFFORTS
to prevent flibustering and the great success
that had marked that vigilance were set forth
in no uncertain language. Satisfaction was ex-
pressed that Spain had so fully met the reason
able demands OF this Government and the hope
WAS expressed that she would speedily realize
her expectations of peace in Cuba
NO CHANGE OF POLICY.
In concluding his discussion Of Cuban affairs
the President used the following words, which
are said to be unchanged in their application
,odov. "The near future will demonstrate |
r,h.,ber the Indispensable condition OF a right |
aqua neace tus, alike the Cubans and to |
cro,n as well as equitable TO all our interests |
an intimately involved in the welfare or CUBA, |
e. likely 10 be attained. II not. the exiSency or |
further and other action by the United states !
r,u remain TO be taken When that time comes
that action will be determined in the line OF In
d,sputable right and duty. 1t Will be faced
without mlsgivIng hestancy. In the light OF
the obligation this Government owes to itself.
70 the people who have confded to 1t the pro-
,ection Of their interests and honor. and to hu-
manity.
sure Of the right, keeping free from all OF
fence ourselves, actuated only py upright ana
natriotic considerations, moved neither by pas |
sion nor selHshness, the Government will con- |