Hope Of Settlement

Washington, March 31,-Thc presilent received thia morning a cablegram from Minister Woodford at Madrid in wluch he confirma the published report that he had an extended conference with Premier Sagasta yesterday. No deflnite conclusión was rcached as he minister de aires to piace the matter under cor.sideration before the qneen regent and the other members oí toe mirústry. The conference was adjournc-d untll tomorrow, Thu'rsdav Althourh Mr.Wocdforddóesnotgiveany details of what tranaplred at the eeting, yet. hls meiaage is very hopeful in tone and gives the president hope that a final settlement oL the .question at issue may be de ermined at tomorroWs conference. The main question discussed at the meeting yesterday between Mr. Woodford and Prembr Sagasta is known to have besn the prompt cessation of hostilitles on the island of uuDa, tne release orthe reconcentrados, with permisión for them to return to their homes and resume their oceupations without further molestation. The exact lines upon which Minister Woodford is at work íor a final ssttlsment of the Cuban question can not be stated, as he has received a number ei suggestions from this government as to what would be acceptable to it. The consensus of opinión, however, in administration circles is that it involves a. settlement upon an indemnity basis of something less than $200,000,000. It was stated by a senator who called upon President McKinley torïay and discussed the Cuban question that the administration was taking no part in the alleged purchase negotiations. He said that this may be talked in New York and by New York men, but he did not think it was a part of the r.dministration's policy regarding Cuba. John J. McCook of New York today again denied that he was a rnember or representative of any syndicate to put up an indemnity for Cuban indepsndence, Cuban bonds in return. He added that he thought if there were any such proposition Spain or the Spanish people themselves would take a large portion of any botfds Cuba might issue. The talk about the purchase of Cu!;a was very prevalent at the White House today. but no one presumed to speak regarding Spain's attitude.