Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-14
STRENGTH OF SPAIN
Senor De LONE Says She Will Crush
the Cuban Insurrection.
THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED FREELY
The Spanish Minister Corects Some
Widespread Errors.
IE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED FREELY
SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTS

Senior Dupuy de LONE was visited by
a Star reporter today. In regard to the in
surrectcn in Cuba, the Spanish minister
said that he was surprised at the general
| misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of
facts pertaining to Cuba. He said that the
statements that great advantages would
be derived by the Island of Cuba through
its independence were erroneous, and to
persons acquainted with the situation of
affairs there, absurd. He remarked that
Hayti, San Domingo and Guatemala were
examples of the experience that Cuba
would have if once the Spanish rule were
given up on the island. A firm military
despotism characterized those islands, and
he said that even after seventy-five years
of independence Guatemala had not reach
ed that high state of peace under repub-
licanism which has been predicted for
Cuba. Hayti and San Domingo he consid-
cred to be now what Cuba would be for
very many years to come under ndepend
ent rule. Cuba, once free from Spain.
would be scene of lawlessness. He knew
a number of large investors of capital in
Cuba who We're heart and soul in SYM
pathy with the Spanish cause, and they
had declared to him that If Cuba were
given over to the insurrectionists they
would be ruined. Their interests would
have no CHARGE of fair trea tment under the
lawless sway of the insurrectionists. He
said that most of the substantial people
of the Island of Cuba favored the Spanish
government and were not in sympathy
with the warfare being carried on by the
natives of the island.
Cuban Representa- ton In the COrtes.
Seror de LONE remarked that he had 10
patience with absurd and false reports
which, he said. are scattered broadcast
over this country in regard to the Cuban
cause. 1t did not seem to be generally
known, he said. that the Island of Cuba
was repl esented in the Spanish cortes by
twenty-four members which representa-
ton it had enjoyed since 1878. Just before
the present iHSurrection broke out he said.
the cortes had voted a bill allowing addi-
ticnal home rule for Cuba, giving 1t contro!
of its financial affairs, etc. This measure
had been discussed in the cortes for two
years. and had just been adopted when the
insurrecton broke out.
The atten ton of Senor de LONE was called
to the statement published today in New
York paper that the Cuban insurrectionists
rad purcha sed powerful gunboat from
the Peruvian government The minister
laughed at the report, ard said that it was
in keeping with many other rumors that
were set afioat by Cubans in this country.
He remarked that it would cost half mil
lion dollars to carry gunboat from Peru
around Cape Horn to Cuba in the first
place, and, in the second place, he dis
credited the idea of the purchase of such
q vessel.
Preparing to Crush the Insurrection.
The minister said that he had received
Information from Gen. Martinez Campos. in
command of the Spanish forces in Cuba,
that left no doubt in his mind that the in
surrection would be stamped out during the
coming fall. Gen. Campos, he said, was
confident that the trouble on the island
would be settled in the fall until which
time active hostilities had been suspended.
Senior de LONE showed list of vessels
that had been dispatched from Spain for
Cuba between the 10th and 10Th of August
all of which Were due at their destination
by the 10Th of the present month The to-
tai number cf troops carried in these yes
sells numbered 245J7. In the fall, he said,
probably by the middle OF October, forty
armed cruisers would sail from Spain to
Cuba. These were powerful vessels and in
addition to them large number of steam
launches from 10 to 800 tons would be sent
The forces in Cuba and Cuban waters
would then be ample to crush the rebellion,
whieh would doubtless be done promptly.
SpniH's Strength Surprising to Europc
Senor Dupuy said that the Spanish gov
ernment had received many congratula-
tions over the manner in which it had
modified its forces in Cuba. He said
that the government had not found it
necessary to borrow a dollar outside of
Spain, and that all Spanish troops had
been transported to Cuba in Spanish boats
This had greatly surprised European Ia
t1cns, as It showed a remarkable strength
and power of Spain to carry on a war with
her own resources. He laughed at the
idea that Spain would give up the cons
test because of the amount of debt row
borne by Cuba, all of which, he said was
guaranteed by the Spanish government
He remarked that the Cuban war was not
a commercial transaction, but was mat
ter OF principle with Spain, which proposed
to protect her loyal citizens in Cuba.
Senior De Lone will leave in day or
two for the north to join his family. He
expects to return to Washington about
October 1.