The record-union., 1898-04-01
SPANISH CABINET.
Discuss the Cuban Question and
Submit a Reply to Woodford.

|
MADRID, March 31.-The Cabinet
Council to-day lasted an hour and a
half Nothing definite is yet known
regarding the decision arrived at, and
| it is expected it Will not be revealed
until after the conference with General
Stewart L. Woodford. the United
| States Minister The impression pre-
walls. however, that Spain will not
| agree to the proposals of the United
States.
Senor Sagasta, the Premier, in an in
| terview to-day, declared he would do
everything possible to maintain peace"
but he added. We cannot submit to
any attack on the honor or integrity
of the country"
1t has been q day of great anxiety.
The papers have confined themselves
to antiquities on the subject of the
Cabinet council It should be said to
their credit that they have displayed
great prudence in their suppositiOns
and comments, showing their appre-
citation of the fact that in the present
critical time it is hazardous and might
be prejudicial to the country to discuss
the situation without sufficient knowl
edge of the conditions. The evening
papers without exception consider the
situation unchanged, Notwithstanding
the recent conferences. They generally
admit that Minister Woodford's con-
duct of the diplomatic negotiations is
very friendly and that he is desirous
of peace, but the Spanish Government
is reported as ''unfiinchng and opposed
to any, even friendly, interference to
terminate the war except through it's
own Efforts war which they claim is
nearing the end and is daily crushing
the rebellion"
lei Epoca" Conservative says:
THE Queen Regent, presiding at the
Cabinet council to-day, encouraged her
Ministers to continue their animated
patriotic sentiments toward maintain
ing national honor and territorial in
tegrity."
LA Correspondencia de Espana" Gn-
dependent and semi -officiaD Publishes
an interview with an important po-
litical parsonage" who says Peace o.
war hangs by q thread"
There is anxious expectancy respect
ing the reply from Washington.
At the Cabinet council Senior Sagasta.
the Premier, explained with extreme
precision all the details of the confer
ences and negotiations together with
the state of the country and existing
conditions, which he regarded as neces-
sary to the formation Of proper judg-
ment
Another Minister spoke, Senor Sag1sta
listening attentively.
1t is needless to say, after the emo
tions of recent days and in view of the
serious issues depending, every Minister
poured out all he had in his heart.
After four hours discussion, the Min
listers were still without solution, prob
ably because Senor Sagasta judged it
inopportune to take a decision at the
present stage, and advised to wait 1oI
the issue of to-morrow's meetings.
Prior to the council meeting a note
briefly relating to the Queen Regents
views on the subject of a reply to bc
given to the United States was written.
On this being read at the council. Sanor
Sagasta, taking paper from his pocset
announced that he had condensed his
opinion into a few lines, which he pro-
ceeded to read 1t is understood that he
touched, one by oneaupon all the ques-
tions raised by the United States, and
indicated the limits to which in his opin-
ion it would be possible to go without
prejudice to the national honor or dig
nifty.
All the Ministers, including General
Ccrreo, Minister of War, saw their
thought reflected in Senior Sagastas $ ex-
pose, which they unanimously approved.
The Ministers then proceeded to the
palace. where they gave an account of
the proceedings to the Queen Regent,
who approved them
At Minister Woodford's conference
with Seniors Sagasta. Dullon and Moret,
Senor Sagasta's note, translated into
English, was submitted TO General
Woodford. who, after reading it, said:
II am solely authorized to negotiate ad
referendum, and therefore, I will trans
NIT the Cabinets reply to Washing
tom
The text of the Sagasta note has not
been made known. the Ministers main