Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Woodford to Mr. Day.

Legation of the United States,
Madrid, April 9, 1898.

No. 217.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have just telegraphed you in cipher as follows:

Madrid, April 9, 1898.

Assistant Secretary Day, Washington:

Am just informed that armistice has been granted and that Spanish Government has communicated directly with the President. Please keep me fully advised.

Woodford.

As I was dictating this dispatch I was sent for by the Spanish minister of foreign affairs. He told me that the Spanish Government had this day decided to grant an armistice in Cuba, at the request of the Pope and in deference to the wishes and advice of the representatives of the six great European powers; that the Spanish minister in Washington had been instructed to notify our Department of State, and that authority to proclaim the armistice had been cabled to the Captain-General in Cuba. He handed me written memorandum in Spanish stating officially the action of the Spanish Government.

I have at once telegraphed you in cipher as follows:

Madrid, April 9, 1898.

Assistant Secretary Day, Washington:

Spanish minister for foreign affairs has just sent for me. The representatives of the European powers called upon him this morning and advised acquiescence in Pope’s request for an armistice. Armistice has been granted. Spanish minister in Washington instructed to notify our Department of State and yourself. Authority has been cabled to General Blanco to proclaim armistice. I send verbatim memorandum just handed me by Spanish minister for foreign affairs, as follows:

“In view of the earnest and repeated request of His Holiness, supported resolutely by declarations and friendly counsels of the representatives of the six great European powers, who formulated them this morning in a collective visit to the minister of state, as corollary of the efforts of their Governments in Washington, the Spanish Government has resolved to inform the Holy Father that on this date it directs the general in-chief of the army in Cuba to grant immediately a suspension of hostilities for such length of time as he may think prudent to prepare and facilitate the peace earnestly desired by all.”

I hope that this dispatch may reach you before the President’s message goes to Congress.

Woodford.

I will endeavor to acquaint myself fully with the inside condition of affairs here and will keep you advised.

Very respectfully,

Stewart L. Woodford.

Mr. Woodford to the President.

[Telegram.]

Legation of the United States,
Madrid, April 10, 1898.

President McKinley, Washington:

My personal No. 66. In view of action of Spanish Government, as cabled Saturday, April 9, I hope that you can obtain full authority from Congress to do whatever you shall deem necessary to secure immediate and permanent peace in Cuba by negotiations, including the full power to employ the Army and Navy, according to your own judgment, to aid and enforce your action. If this be secured I believe you will get final settlement before August 1 on one of the following bases: Either such autonomy as the insurgents may agree to accept, or recognition by Spain of the independence of the island, or cession of the island to the United States.

I hope that nothing will now be done to humiliate Spain, as I am satisfied that the present Government is going, and is loyally ready to go, as fast and as far as it can. With your power of action sufficiently free you will win the fight on your own lines. I do not expect immediate reply, but will be glad to have an early acknowledgment of receipt.

Woodford.