Evening star., 1895-06-07
Spain May Make a Claim for Dam
ages.
4 COURT OF INQUIRY TO Be PROPOSED
How Far Have the Neutrality Laws
Been Violated, if at Ali?
REPLY IN THE ALLIANCA CASE

While the statement of the London Stand
ard that Spain, in the end, will call on the
United States to bear part OF the expense
of the Cuban campaign creates some
amusement here II is at the same time well
known that the Spanish authorities are
profoundly disconnected with the attitude
of this country toward the Cuban revolt.
This was referred to In The Star several
months ago, and events since then have
served only to intensity the feeling.
Ground for Complaint.
Spain undoubtedly thinks she has excel
lent grounds for complaint. 1t is stated, in
deed, that, in the opinion of high officials
at Madrid, there would today be peace In
Cuba but for the active sympathy mani
tested in this country for the revolutionists
AS they are informed, the money, the real
leadership and many of the men are con-
tributed by the United States. Editorial
expressions of leading newspapers and
speeches Of American statesmen are quot
ed to show championship of the Cubans
as against the authority of Spain, and
these, it is contended, are important fac
tors in Strengthening the arm of those who
have taken the field for Cuban independ-
ence.
But as yet Spain, formally, has moved
with marked caution in the premises. This
is not regarded the time for any express
sion beyond the politest protest. The
point now is to put down the revolt, and
1t is proving to be no easy matter to do
that. The CubatS are very much in earn
est. seem to be very well led and are keep
ing up, at least, a most disquieting racket
in Spanish ears. Spain's first supply of
men and money won't do the work de-
sired. Another installment of cash is now
being discussed and will probably have to
be voted. The Spanish government still
insists that it will go all lengths to restore
in Cuba, and then, it is thought, specific
charges will be made touching what is
called the American end of the revolu-
ton.
A Court of Inquiry Probable.
1t is regarded as not improbable that a
court of inquiry and arbitration will be
proposed by Spain. with power to go thor
oughly into the whole question Of neutral
ity laws and duties. and to decide wherein,
If at all, the United States has offended
against Spain. The desire will be to have
described and fixed not only the liability
for what may already have occurred, but for
what. without greater care and restraint,
might again occur. Even If the present
revolt Is put down, another will be likely
at any time to break out. Spain is no more
emphatic in announcing q determination
. tasho2dr ON to Cuba than Cuba is IN her de-
termination to throw off the Spanish yoke.
So. first and last the question Of what may
or may not be done In this country In show
of sympathy with the cause of Cuban in
dependence will remain a live question un-
til 1t has been passed upon by some
tribunal with authority.
Curiosity ms to Spnin's Reply.
Meanwhile, there is much curiosity con-
cerning the full text of the correspondence
that passed between the two governments
about the Allianca affair. The episode
opened with a genuine flourish of trumpets.
The Spanish commanders guns didn't
make louder report than did Secretary
Gresham's dispatch. There was a decided
stir on both sides of the water. Spain was
asked to reply promptly. few days time
was allotted in popular expectation. But
the days heightened into weeks, and the
weeks into months, and 1t was not until
very recently that the announcement was
made that the incident was closed. The
terms employed were all general. Spain, it
was stated, had replied in the proper spirit
and had left nothing to be desired. But
the text, of the reply was withheld
and is still withheld. Secretary Gresh-
ans dispatch got into the newspapers
before 1t did into the hands of the
Spanish authorities, although the cable
was used. Why, it is asked, is the full ma
ture of the reply locked up? Spain cannot
give it out. 1t is communication address,
ed to this government. 1t is noted as
matter of regret, too, that Secretary Ores
ham did not live TO read it.