The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-06
By Exclusive Wire from Tho Associated Press.

1898, the question, Would Spain Have
Yielded Independence to Cuba to Avoid
War;" His letter has special reference
to the claim, often since made, in con-
gress and elsewhere, that had the war
party not swept the administration into
declaration OF war, President McKin-
ley would have accomplished Cuba's
liberation by peaceful means. This
Senator Chandler refutes by showing
from the official correspondence in the
"Red book that Spain was never asked
by Minister Woodford to grant inde-
pendence to Cuba. Incidentally, the
senator criticizes severely the conduct
of negotiations at Madrid by General
Woodford, whom he virtually charges
with incompetence, unWarranted pre-
sumption and failure to carry out in
structions. Senator Chandler writes:
In all the correspondence between Washington
and Madrid the principal demand Of the United
States was only for peace. What else was Mr..
Woodford instructed to demand and what did he
demand? Protection to American interests. Re
vocation OF the RECOMMENDATION order and per-
mission to the United States to help feed and
clothc the outcasts. Local government while
remaining within the integral nationality OF
Spain" Peace through the Cuban congress, pro.
yided il shall not diminish or interfere with the
constitutional power vested by the Cuban con-
stitution in the central government" "Further
concessions to Cuba through the insular Cuban
government" An armistce.
Two Other Demands.
The foregoing is, however, not the whole mar
rativc. 1t does appear that our government sug-
gested that two demands additional TO those
above recitcd should be made. Mr.. Woodford
presented neither OF them to the Spanish govern
mcnt. 1t is necessary to look at this part of the
case fully and with care
March go, 1898, Mr.. Day teegraphed Mr.
Woodtord: 'Thc presidents desire is TOR peace"
peace is the desired end and closes: 'For
your guidance, the president suggests that il
Spain will revoke the recommendation order and
maintain the people until they can support them.
selves and offer to the Cubans full selfgovcIn-
ment, with reasonable indemnity, The president
will gladly assist in its consummaton."
This, although suggestion merely should have
been promptly presented TO Spain. But Mr.
Woodord decided not to present it.
March 81. MIR. Woodford tclcgraphs Alr. Day:
"Do the words full selfgOvenmcnt' mean actual
recognition of independence or is nominal Spanish
sovereignty over Cuba still permissible? Instruct
me fully What the words with reasonable in
drmnity' mean and imply; and then lie proceeds
TO inform Mr. Day that only tho Cortes can give
independence and that the Cortcs docs not meet
factory if lie can secure armisticc, and further
says: ut is possible that | may induce the
Spanish ministry to submit the question OF an
early and honorable peace TO the Cuban congress-
provided such authority shall not diminish or in
tcriere with the constitutional power vested by
the Cuban constitution in the central government.
Ii I can secure these two things with absolute
and immediate revocation of the recommendation
order, may l negotiate? / believe that an i'm
mediate armistice means present and permanent
peace. Also l believe that negotiations once open
between insurgents and the Cuban government
some arrangement will be reached during the
summer which the Spanish home government will
approve, and that Cuba will become practically
Independent pass from Spanish control"
The above two dispatches show that while Mr.
Day suggests request for Cuban independence
he does not instruct Mr.. Woodford to make it;
that Mr. Woodford does not want TO make it,
docs not want such an answer to his INQUIRY us
will compel him TO make it and desires TO cvlle
making it, that he wishes to obtain authority to
try to obtain first an armisicc and second peace,
leaving Cuba under Spanish sovereignty; Affect
ing, however, TO believe that "during the sum
mer' an arrangement Will be reached by which
Cuba will become practically independent or
pass from Spanish control" Later it will appear
that Mr. Woodford did not mean nor desire to
have Cuba independent, and why he did not.
Mr.. Day, it now appears, had concluded TO be
careful and specific. Sunday, March %, 1898, Mr.
Day directs Mr.. Woodord to see il the following
can be done: "First. Armisticc until October l.
Negotiations meantime looking TO peace. = = =
Second. Immediate revocation of rcconccntrado
order and the needy to be relieved with
provisions and supplies from United States CO.
operating with authorities so rs TO afford full re-
lief.
"Add il possible: Third II terms of peace not
satisfactorily settled by October l, president Of
i 1,.,+,,-
Spain and insurgents Ii Spain agrees president
will use friendly Offices TO get insurgents 10
cept plan. Prompt action desirable. Day"
Having sent the above despatch, Mr.. Day, on
the next day, answers Mr.. Woodford's inquiry:
"Full self.govcmment with indemnity would mean
Cuban independence"
This, then, was the diplomatic situation at
critical moment: Mr. Day had suggested re-
quest for Cuban independence Mr.. WoOdiord had
asserted the futility OF such request and had
suggested his substitute proposal Mr. Day had
given specific direction TO demand Q) Armistico
until October (2) Revocation Of rcconcentrado
ORDER C3) Ii terms Of peace not satisfactorily set
tied by October the president 10 be the final
abiter. Lool, and see what Mr Woodford did,
March 2S, 1903. Mr.. Woodiord tolesrapls the
president that lie has had conference that after.
noon with the Spanish minister, and has Il sincere
belief that an arrangement will be reached honor
able to Spain and satisfactory to the United
States and just to Cuba.
March 90, 1898. Mr.. Woodford writes TO the
president that he read to Premier Sagasta and
Senior NIorct 4 written statement. This appears
to be the proposition OF Sunday, March o., down
to the words ''add, il possible" and he docs not
add the third proposition which follows these
words, and Mr.. Woodford asks for an answer to
his "two suggestions.
March 30 1905. Mr.. Woodford writes TO Mr..
Day letter in which he gives an account of his
conference on March 90 with Sagasta and Moret,
and says, "T began by reading to them the follow
ing statement" Then follows the statement OF
Mr.. Days demand emitting the third PROPOSE.
tion that followed the words ''add, II possible"
and then Mr. Woodford uses the words, "IIere l
stopped and waited for President Sagastas reply"
April l, 1898 Mr. Woodford writes TO Mr. Day
the exact language Of his statement read 10
Premier Sagasta, repeating it. 1t does not con-
tain the third request after The three words.
''add, if possible" lie adds: Statement ends
here"
spain's Reply.
So Mr.. WoOdford and the secretary OF state
awaited the final answer OF Spain to a demand
which did not suggest an agreement to give free
dom to Cuba The answer came.
March 81. lS0S. Mr. Woodford telegraphs TO
Mr., Day the Spanish propositions made to him in
writing: % Arbitration as to the Maine; (2)
revocation OF the reconeentrado orders with per-
mission to tho United States to send food to the
necessitous (3) preparation for honorable and
stable peace through the irsular parliament, sit
being understood that the powers reserved by the
constitution to the central government are not
lcssened and diminished" and % no tmee until
after the Cuban chambers meet en- May 4th, Mr..
Woodford says that these do not mean peace, but
now needless war;"
April /, lS0s, Mr.. Woodford tclegraphs the
president that yesterdays conference was sor-
po,v IA him le had worked har1 for npopa