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208 "reasonable time." And in very definite language it stated that this time might be drawing to a close, and the duty become imminent. It ended with the suggestion that Spain make use of the offices of the United States in some manner or other to reach a final conclusion.

These instructions had "put it up to" the minister to get the Spainards to agree to concessions in Cuba, to prevent an American war. The record of the subsequent six months is not only of the greatest credit to Woodford, but reveals an advance in Spanish policy that is little short of miraculous, considering antecedents of a thousand years of despotic sway.

The Spaniards' answer to this preliminary broadside consisted in a volume of polite language, a futile repetition of the contention that if the United States would stop filibustering expeditions all would be well. But wonderful to relate, they took action—for them, drastic action. They recalled General Weyler, replacing him with Blanco, under instructions to alleviate the concentration curse.