Mr. Day to Mr. Woodford.
Washington, April 3, 1898.
The President has made no suggestions to Spain except through you. He made no suggestions other than those which you were instructed to make for an armistice to be offered by Spain to negotiate a permanent peace between Spain and insurgents, and which Spain has already [Page 733] rejected. An armistice involves an agreement between Spain and insurgents which must be voluntary on the part of each, and if accepted by them would make for peace. The disposition of our fleet must be left to us. An armistice, to be effective, must be immediately proffered and accepted by insurgents. Would the peace you are so confident of securing mean the independence of Cuba? The President can not hold his message longer than Tuesday.