Our pressure for peace was all directed toward the Spaniards. Gomez met their messengers, undertaking to make terms, with instant death by a firing squad.
After this appropriation Sagasta recognized that he would have to take some drastic action.
Under the impression that the object of his negotiations was to keep the peace if possible; Woodford, our minister, worked overtime in Madrid. From March 17th to April 11th he drew proposal after proposal out of the Spanish Council and he never sent a dispatch but that reiterated his conviction that the Spaniard would do anything, no matter what, to prevent a rupture, short of what they considered National dishonour. On the 17th he wrote:
"Señor Sagasta, an experienced statesman, a loyal Spaniard, and a faithful friend of the Queen * * * would do anything for peace that Spain would approve and accept."
On the 18th:
"Sagasta has finally and positively declared
