Mr. Woodford to the President.
No. 51. Had interview with the minister for foreign affairs this afternoon, Wednesday, in the presence of minister for the colonies. [Page 697] Made official statement in exact terms used at personal interview with the minister of the colonies, reported in my No. 49.
Spanish minister for foreign affairs asked delay until beginning of the rainy season and asserted his belief that insular government will secure arrangement with insurgents before then. I told him, kindly but firmly, that I did not believe such delay to be possible and that my Government wished immediate and honorable peace. I repeated that unless satisfactory agreement is reached within a very few days you must submit the whole question to Congress.
Spanish Cabinet met immediately afterwards. I do not yet know their decision. Minister for the colonies will come to my residence to-morrow morning, Thursday. I will then telegraph fully.