Mr. Woodford to Mr. Sherman.
San Sebastian, September 23, 1897.
Have delivered note to Spanish minister for foreign affairs. Have followed very closely text of State Department instructions number 4. Have ended with these words: “To accomplish this end now and in the future, the Government of the United States hereby offers its most kindly offices. Allow me to assure your excellency that in suggesting as early answer to this tender of good offices as the gravity of the question permits there is nothing further from [the] thought of the President or from the purpose of the Government of the United States than the possibility of embarrassing the Spanish Government, but it is sincerely hoped that during the coming month of October the Government of Spain may either be able to formulate some proposal under which this tender of good offices may become effective, or may give satisfactory assurances that peace in Cuba will, by the efforts of Spain, be most promptly secured. Permit me to close this note as I began, with the most sincere and respectful suggestion that peace in Cuba is necessary to the welfare of the people of the United States, and that the only desire of my Government is for peace and that sure prosperity which can only come with peace.”