The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-15

Spanish were prepared or preparing for
war. lie said.
II do not believe there has been any
massing Of armament in Cuba with
view 10 possible trouble with the United
States, nor that the construction of Span
ish war vessels is TO be attributed to any
such contingency. The Spanish may be
improving their defenses wherever pos
sible. but IL does not necessarily imply
an expectation of war. The United States
Is steadily strengthening its fortifications
and defense works. and IL is an old maxim
that says. In time of peace prepare for
war
About the war sentiment i'm Cuba?
The Spanish officials said nothing to me
that indicated an expectation OF war. The
only thing that could be construed to
give that impression Is the mounting of
n battery of heavy seacoast guns along
the coast above Havana. There are from
twelve TO fifteen of these, extending per-
hans a mile or a mile and hair north
OF the limits of the city proper. These
point TO sea. and toward the Insurgents
In case OF an attack. IL is possible these
might be made 10 supplement the defense
given by Moro castle Cabanas and Reina
and other forts.
The Spanish authorities rather CEN
sure the United States for not enforcing
the neutrality laws. and many think that
with the Insurgents than with the Span
ism. our government does not want TO
take the proper precautions to prevent
expeditions leaving United States sea-
ports and landing in Cuba. / told the
Spanish authorities that they must re-
member that there was an immense ex-
tent OF seacoast here. with innumera BILE
inlets and places where expeditions could
ne concentrated and embarked. From the
trouble which they themselves had TO
prevent the landing of such expeditions
on the Cuban coast. Notwithstanding
their ganhoats and war vessels were con-
stantly patroling the coast and on the
lookout for iaiibusterS. some idea could be
formed OF the comparative ease with
which the United States authorities could
be evaded. With the comparatively small
Cuban coast line. knew of only one big
expedition. that of the Three Friends.
which had been captured by them. Yet
this country had certainly prevented the
starting of at least a half-doxen big ex-
pedisions for the island. In view OF this
object lesson OF the difficulty OF put
ting stop 10 tiiibus;erlng. / contend that
the Spanish ought to be careful about
censuring us,
Cleveland Represses sympathy.
Chicago. Nov. IA special 10 the
Chronicle from Washington says To a
senator who called upon him to inquire
about the war rumors In regard 10 Cuba.
President Cleveland replied that the po-
st.cn Of this government vas. as stated
in the last annual message 10 congress.
one of traditional sympathy with a peo-
pie struggling FOR autonomy and for free
dom hut nevegt hesess this government
felt IT'S plain duty honestly IN fuitiil every
international oel CATION. The president
further said thai every precauf.on had
been taken that y occasion should arise
In Cuba. the United States could assert
.tseif with force. eug he did not think The
occasion would arise.
Secretary Lamont expressed his individ-
us, opinion that some authoritative state
msns should be made 20 pat an end 10
these disturbing and untisfifiea ruuors
OF war"
Gag Law in Havana
New Orleans. Nov. 1.-THE F.cayuHe
has received the following from its star
correspondent a. Havana:
The latest application Of sag law is
the decree BY Capt. Gen. WeyEer. whereby
an news dealers are compelled TO send ore
copy OF each snd every newspaper they
are going 10 sell 20 Re approved or dis
approved ny the censor In this manner
an newspapers containing reports o. the
war are quickly ssuelehcd.
There is no doubt the election OF Nc
Kinles Is a source of much worry 20 The
Snantsh government. fer II IS generally
conceded the new president VIII DO some
thing toward recognizing the snsargeny
neflteerency. u conversa;io Officers
high IN the Spanish army. ard who are
ctoss TO the Madrid government. have posi-
tixelv asserted 20 fas that the Cleveland
administration win not reecgnize tire Gu
hans under any circumstances Al TIE
time tisst congress passed tsc yctnt r-so-
luytcn. the Spanish minister had cor
x-exsafian wifh the state department. and