Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-11-24
NO WAR WITH SPAIN.

mis- country for several days past.
There has been a diversity of opinion
the subject. Some were confident
nat preparations were being made
10th in this country and in Spain for
,lch an event. The letter alleged to
I'VE been written by Don Carlos to
ling Alfonso, proposing a truce until
egotiations, or, in case negotiations
liled, until hostilities ceased between
spain and the United States. But it
urns out that war has not been seri-
'usly expected in official circles.
The United States made certain
demands for the better protection of
The rights of American citizens in
Cuba, and Spain has yielded. Neither
war with Spain, the purchase of Cuba,
nor the suppression of the rebellion
with Cuba, has had anything what
ever to do with the negotiations.
The local authorities in Cuba
have manifested a disregard or
rather an indifference TO the rights of
Americans, and it was this indiffer-
ence and disregard that the President
wished to correct, through Minister
Gushing. A Washington special to
the Cincinnati Commercial of Friday
morning says the precise nature of
the request from Mr.. Gushing pre-
scented to the Madrid Court was for
more careful observance of the terms
of the treaty of 1895, by which
American residents in Cuba will be
afforded more efficient protection"
The same special says:
{" The Spanish Government was not proba>
bly, willing to go 10 the length thought
desirable by our Government, but it has
made concessions that are considered, for
the time being, satisfactory, and the subject
as between the two Governments is drop
ped, at least for the present.
"Several circumstances conspired TO Gre
ate the recent excitement concerning a
threatening rupture of peace. In the first
place the Associated Press dispatch from
this city, regarding the attitude of the
country toward Spain and Cuba. This dis
patch was taken bodily and verbatim from
the letter Of instructions given to Minister
Cushing in February, 1874 The full let
ter was printed with the message and
accompanying documents last December.
These facts were stated in your columns
some weeks ago.
In the public mind the questions
became somewhat mixed, and for
a while, Notwithstanding vigorous protesta-
tons from the President and the Cabinet
that no rupture of the friendly relations
was imminent, there seemed to be reason to
apprehend the very worst. Back of this
there was and is undoubtedly ring on
Wall street which has famed the flames in
the hope of affecting the gold market, and
they have spared no pains or money to &C.
complish their purpose"
The statement here given, in refer
ence to the Cuban Ring, is explana-
tory of the whole of it. They have a
lot Of bogus bonds, upon which they
expect to make money dishonesty,
and to this end they would like to get
up an excitement whether there is a
basis for it or not.
The Washington Republican of
Friday morning in an editorial on this
subject says:
"Both the President and Gov. Fish are
aware of these peculiarites of the Spanish
Government, and, instead OF being at vari.
ance regarding the manner in which
they should be treated, have been in
thorough accord, their joint object being tc
secure prompt and reciprocal, as we'll al
amicable, compliance with all the obliga
tons imposed upon Spain by the treaty O
1 1896, and subsequent agreements of th'
same character. In doing this they have
not hesitated to point out in the most dis
tinct manner what they believe to be tn,
inevitable result in the future Of th,
present condition Of affairs in Cuba, viz
The independence Of the Island o
European control But they have neve
threatened recognition of that independ
ence as the alternative of any act or failur
to act by the Spanish Government. Re
lying upon the intelligence, patriotism an,
patience Of the American people, they hav
avoided giving publicity to their proceed
4 ings even when proyocation has been givei
to them to do so by publications Of Spanish
inspired assertions regarding the progress
and condition of pending negotiations.
is therefore impossible that any defnit
and authoritative information beyond III
statements above made can now be mad
, public regarding what they have done o
l intend to do.
: "This explanation will probably serv