The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-21
SPAIN SHOWING GOOD SENSE.
CAMERON DECLARATION NOT y
CAUSUS BELLI.

In Official Circles the Willingness of
the Mother Country to Grant Re-
forms in the West indies Is Count
ed ON to Avert HOstiIities-In Case
This Country Recognizes the Gu
bans as BeIIigerents Spain VIII
Claim the Right to Search Amer
lean Ships.
Madrid Dec. 2O.-Senor Canovas del Cas-
tillo, the prime minister, has received the
official text of President Clevelands mes
sage to the American congress, and will
shortly make a declaration on that part
of the document which refers to the Gu
ban question.
Conferences have been held during the
past few days between the most promi-
nent men in political life in Spain, with
the object of seeking a solution of the
problem which confronts the government,
and which, it is possible, might cause
war with the United States. 1t is con-
ceded in all political circles that the sit
uation is grave but it is thought that the
willingness of Spain to grant reforms in
the Spanish West Indies should tend to
avert any display of aggressiveness on
the part of the United States
One point is settled upon, and
that is that no reforms shall
be put into effect in Cuba until
the insurrection shall have been sup
pressed, for it is held that to offer reforms
with the Cubans still in arms would indi-
cate weakness on the part of Spain and
would also be derogatory to her honor.
Though the popular Indignation caused
by the receipt of the news of the action
of the committee of foreign relations of
the American Senate shows little sign of
diminution, there have been no manifesto
tions against the United States or its rep
resentatives anywhere in Spain. That
such manifestations were expected, how
ever. is shown by the fact that police and
gendarmes were detailed to guard the
American legation here, and precautions
were taken elsewhere to protect the vari-
GUS consulates of the United States,
should the excited people attempt to make
an attack on them. Orders were sent to
the governors of the several provinces to
prohibit any anti-Amercan demonstra-
tions, and from dispatches received to-day
from the provincial capitals it is known
that the orders We're faithfully carried out.
Prominent politicians confirm the state
| ments that it is the intention of the gov
ernment, when the oppoTtune moment ar
rives, to put into effect in Cuba political
will be wider in their scope than those ap-
proved by the cortes last year.
The death is announced to-day of Senior
| Don Manuel Decerrara, former minister
| of the colonies. He was very popular, and,
| it is said of him that he at one time hind
cred the sale of Cuba to the United States.
| The Epoca, the organ of Senor Canovas
and the ministerialists, In commenting
upon the situation, says that Spain needs
| at the present moment, much calm, sound
| judgment on the part of the public to avoid
greater difficulties than those the gov
| ernment is now facing. As long as pru-
/ dence is compatible with national honor
| Spain has nothing to do save to defend
! her rights If they are attacked.
A recognition Of belligerency is not a caus-
us belli unless such recognition is granted
by an interested nation. Formerly Spain
recognized the belligerency of the southern
| states of America despite the protest of the
| federal government, which did not regard
the attitude of European governments in
! this matter as causus beli. If the act in
| dicated by the Cameron resolution shall
| be consummated, Spain will protest, there
/ by greatly influencing the relations be-
| tween the United States and Spain, but
| Spaniards must not forget the attitude of
| the powers, which, after President Cleve-
| lands declaration, anent the Anglo-Vene-
zuean dispute abstained from any inter
vention. Spain ought to keep account of
! all these precedents.
Prime Minister Canovas holds that un-
| der the framing of the Cameron resolu-
| ton there will be no armed occupation on
| the part of the United State in Cuban ter
ritory. Though the partisans Of the pro-
/ posal may obtain the necessary votes to
| override the veto which he believes Pres
| ident Cleveland will interpose, and so
make the resolution an obligatory act Of
congress, it would only effect the recogni-
| ton of the independence Of Cuba and lead
| to an offer of its good Offices by the
! United States to terminate the war. With
whatever officiousness the United States
may nterpose Spain will retain the right
| to accept or reject the offer Of the Amer
| lean good offices. If the United States
recognizes the independence of Cuba she
will have then to recognize the laws Of
neutrality. If she recognizes the bellig-
erency of the Cubans, Spain will have the
right to stop and board American ships
! at sea.
Senior Canovas does not think that the
! Cameron resolutions need cause serious
perturbance. IL Will only make the rela-
| lions between Spain and the United States
more strained, but need not cause a rup-
ture. He will never consent to foreign in
/ reference in what is a question of Spain's
domestic policies. Spain will regulate her
acts SO that nobody will be able to say
that she made war upon another power, yet
she will Always repel aggression.
The tone OF the newspapers generally Is
more moderate to-day than it was yester-
day. They contain little to excite the
populace.
Ex-Prine Minister Sagasta, In an inter-
| view published here says he considers that
the conduct of the United States makes
difficult the task Of those Spanish parties
and statemen who are most willing to sat
isfy the aspirations of the colonies.
SPAIN THINKS UNCLE SAM A BULLY.