Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-12
Senior Sasastn's Opinion.

There is no foundation for the rumors
that Captain General Weyler has been dis
missed.
Senior SaSastn's Opinion.
MADRID, May 12.-At a meeting Of the
liberal deputies and senators last even
ing Senor Sagasta admitted the difficulties
attending the immediate application of re-
forms to Cuba and denied the right of the
United States to recognize the insurgents
as belligerents, since, he added. they did
nothing but flee before the Spanish troops
burned property and commit murders.
Continuing, Senor Sagasta expressed the
telief that President Cleveland would not
accord bslligerent rights to "rebels who
have no government, are without place of
residence and who do not hold a fortified
position"
Senior Sagasta also promised to support
the government in the matter of the eX-
penditures necessary to prosecute the Cuban
campaign, and declared that the elections
in Madrid and Cuba should be quashed.
The Correspond alcia says it believes that
if Captain General Weyler resigns he will
be succeeded by Gen. Blanco, governor of
the Philippine Islands, who will proceed to
Cube. via the Pacific and San Francisco.
Confused French Ideas.
PARIS. May 12.-The Figaro, referring to
the attitude Of the United States toward
Cuba, says this morning: "The United
States authorities, since the outbreak of
the reNolt, have observed an attitude of
defiance toward Spain and support the in
surSeats. They ought to consider that
Europe will not sanction this mole of ac-
ton. If the Moaroe doctrine permits the
Americans to drive the Spaniards from
Cuba, it also permits them to turn the
French and the British out of their pos
sessions in the Antilles
TIE Soleil, commenting on the subject
remarks: The United States have no more
right to interfere in the affairs of Spain
than to mix themselves up with the affairs
of Guadeloupe Martinique and Guinea. If
Spain loses Cuba it will be terrible blow
to European influence in the Antilles
The Matin says: Europe will protest
unanimously against the continual inter-
ference of Americans in matters which do
not concern them. The United States gov
ernment does not gain credit by pleading
the prisoners case without extenuatng
circumstances"
The Gaulois expresses the opinion that
the steps taken by the United States in the
Cuban question are not of nature to IA
cilitate its settlement.
A NaturnIized American.
LONDON, May 12.-The under secretary
of state for foreign affairs, Mr.. George N.
Cu-zon. in the house of commons today,
answering q question regarding the na-
tionality of the men captured on board the
American filibustering schooner Competi-
tor, said that among the prisoners was
man named William Hlby (probably the
name referred to in the Havana dispatches
as Gildea), who was born under the Brit
ish flag, but who had, according to dis
patches received from the British consul
at Havana, lost his British nationality by
becoming a naturaiZed citizen of the Unit
ed States.
MIR. Curzon also said the .he British
charge d'affaires at Madrid had been in
formed by the Spanish government that the
sentences of death imposed upon the men
captured with the American flibustering
schooner Competitor have been suspended.
In conclusion, Mr.. Curzon said that the
government must wait for further inforna-
ton from Havana before deciding whether
not to make representations to Spain
regarding Hilby.