The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-12
NO INTERFERENCE IN CUBA.
The Administrations Policy Is to Be
Perfectly Neutral.

Washington City. Oct. 1.-THE state
ment cabled TO Madrid today 10 the effect
that the United States government had
fntimated TO the Spanish minister here
that there must be prompt action on the
part of his government in putting down
the Cuban insurrection cannot be con-
firmed at the state department. The OFF,
Gals would neither confirm nor deny the
report, though their manner indicated dis
approval Of its accuracy. II is believed
10 he quite probable that representations
have been made to Spain OF the wisdom
Of aggressive and active operations
against the Cuban insurgents, but ii is
thought the United States government did
not make these suggestions. and If made
they came from Minister De LONE and
were based on his personal observation OF
the trend of sentiment in the United
States and his knowledge of the purpose
of the friends Of the insurgents to press
their cause vigorously soon after the as
sembling Of congress. Senior De LONE left
here today on an early train, and no in
formation could be gained from him. The
Spanish minister had a short interview
with Secretary Olney yesterday. in the
course of which he made the statement,
perhaps in answer to the secretary's In
quiry, that the operations in Cuba would
be conducted with greater vigor hereafter
As the president must certainly make
some reference to the insurrection in his
annual message to congress in December
il Is natural that Secretary Olney on
whom he must rely for information
should take steps to gather data upon
which to base his judgment of probable
future events. 1t may be set down as be-
yond belief that Secretary Olney made a
statement to the Spanish minister in the
nature or threat to intervene between
the comhatants In Cuba at this stage. for
inns would amount TO a reversal OF the
policy or this government in such matters.
w ME IL is true that President Grant
Did, as indicated in his messages TO con-
gress. entertain belief that Intervention
IN the then progressing rebellion n Cuba
would be Justihable. il is also true that
this view was never acceptable TO Score
taFy Fish, and IL has not secured the ad-
herence of International LAWYERS. The
whole weight of authority is decidedly
adverse 10 the assertion by neutral ma
ton or right 10 say when war between
two combatants has progressed TO a point
where II must be stopped. II may be re-
called that some such proposition was
made during the last stages of the China
Japan war but 1t never went further
than the exercise OF the good Offices OF
the interested nations to bring about
peace, which function is entirely distinct
from direct Intervention. The question is
also separate from that of the recogni-
ton IF the belliGerency OF the Insurgents
which according 10 our policy and prac-
tiCe, must he determined purely by the
facts IN each case. II is pointed out here
also that the circumstances al present
are different from those surrounding the
last Cuban rebellion. when President
Grant took his stand, in that the rebel
lion then dragged along for nearly ten
years. while the present dnsurrection has
been in progress less than "A year. or not
nearly as long as our own rebellion.
~fa.s-
cause OF Spanish activity against the in
surgents-whether Minister de Lome's
representations or the previously formed
determination Of the heads OF the Span
ish governmental is known officially that
Spain is about TO open a campaign of far
greater energy than any thus far taken.
The wet season has prevented the move
ment Of troops and he maintenance of
an aggressive campaign. But the dry
season begins about three weeks hence.
and this will be the signal, II Is said for
an extensive movement. Gordon con
siSting OF a double line Of gunboats will
surround the island to prevent he land
ing Of arms or ammunition for the insur-
gents and without arms from outside
sources Il is believed they soon Will be
helpless. The new boats about 10 arrive
in Cuba viii not be far short OF twenty.
Several OF them were recently sent from
the United States. About twelve, built in
England. are now on their WAY. Several
more were constructed in Spain. They
are very small. not much larger than a
steam yacht. but are we'll armed and are
such light draft that they can run among
the KEYS that surround Cuba They viii
fora the inner Gordon around the island.
Outside viii be the second Gordon. made
up Of the Condo dc Tenedito and other
large ships which Spain has in Cuban
waters with the island thus cut or
from without Gen. Campos viii look aft
er the fighting within. II IS expected by
the Spanish officials that this forward
movement will change the entire aspect
OF the conflict from one OF minor sktrm-
!shes - extensive battles. The sentiment
among the Spanish authorities Is that a
decisive forward movement IS essential
and the coming campaign IS relied or 20
NEE, fully the requirements % the stu
alton.