The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-25
Grover VERY CONSIDERATE
He Doesn't Want to Give the Spanish
Government Any Trouble.
THEY NAY TAKE THEIR TINE
Secretary Gresham's Policy Is Virtually
Reversed by the Prcsidcnt-Spain's
New Ministry Is Generally Re.
gardcd Conservative One.

Washington, March 24.-No assur-
ances are obtainable at the state de-
partment that the Spanish government
intends to comply with Secretary
Gresham's demand for an apology for
firing ON the Allianca, or that any
haste Is being shown in investigating
the affair at Madrid or Havana. There
is every indication, however, that the
ardor of the enthusiasm displayed by
the administration on March IA over
Secretary Greshams vigorous dispatch
has been suddenly and thoroughly
cooled. That dispatch called for imme-
date reply, prompt apology, and an
assurance that hereafter American
commerce should not be molested in
Cuban waters. None of these condi-
tions have been complied with as far as
can be learned, and yet the president,
Secretary Gresham, and everybody else
connected with the administration ap-
pear to be contented with the situation,
and confident that sooner or later there
will be a satisfactory outcome of the
controversy. The seriousness of the
affair is poohpoohed now, and even
Secretary Gresham seems anxious to
create an impression that its import
ance was exaggerated and that what
ever complications grew out of the fir
ing upon the Alllanca will soon
straighten themselves out.
Doesn't Want to Crowd Spain.
1t is reported that at the cabinet
meeting yesterday one of the members
became annoyingly inquisltive on this
subject, and persisted in asking ques-
tons about the why's and wherefore of
the Allianca incident until it was found
necessary to satisfy him by an intima-
tion that President Cleveland desired
very much to make matters as easy
and as pleasant as possible for the
| Spanish government and to extend to
the utmost limit the time in which Il
/ would be proper to send reply TO
! Secretary GreSham's peremptOry de-
mand for an apology. The fact that
/ the Spanish ministry has resigned and
/ a new one is about coming into power Is
urged as a reason for not displaying
/ haste, and the most direct evidence
that the president is disposed to take
| the sharp edge off of the first patriotic
/ dispatch penned by an official of the
! Cleveland administration Is found in
| the orders sent to Admiral Meade to
proceed to Kingston with his fleet with
! out visiting Cuban ports en- route. The
/ Columbia had been ordered to stop at
| Havana before President Cleveland re-
| turned from his duckng trip. He ar
rived in Washington two days after
| Secretary Gresham's dispatch had been
sent to Madrid, and Immediately the
orders for the Columbia We're revoked.
and Admiral Meade has since been re-
Quested to make all possible haste in
reaching Kingston and to be very par
ticular about not making any stops in
| Cuban waters.
New Principle of Law.
The diplomatic experts of the state
department. as well as Commodore
| Ramsay. the acting secretary of the
navy. several days ago announced the
/ heretofore unknown principle of inter-
national comfy, that no war vessel
should be sent to country whose gov
ernment was engaged In an interna-
tional dispute with the government to
whom the ships belonged. At the state
department no admission whatever has
been made officially, not even that Min
/ isterTaylor at Madrid has acknowledged
/ the receipt of Secretary Gresham's des-
patch. 1t is absurd, however, to sup
pose that the minister has neglected to
| inform Secretary Gresham that he laid
the despatch before the Spanish min
lister of foreign affairs, and it is gener-
/ ally taken for granted that there is on
file in the state department an official
acknowledgment OF the despatch, and a
statement that its contents will be con-
sidered and acted upon in due course
/ by the new Spanish government. Moth
/ ing further has been received at the
state department, however, and the
short-lived patriotism of Secretary
Gresham Is thought to be due to an in
timation from President Cleveland that
| there is no necessity to add to the pres
cnt trouble of Spain by forcing her to
exercise haste in apologizing for her in
suit to the American flag.