Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
SENIOR EMILIO CASTELAR,

ders have been placed abroad for arms and ammunition, and Spain's rife and muni- ton factories are working day and night to provide against any possible external combinations that may arise in Cuba or the Philippines.
 Senor Emilio Castelar,, the distinguish ed Spanish Republican, was asked for an expression of his opinion on the relations between Spain and the United States. In reply Senor Castelar, gave the following signed statement:
 Inspired by high patriotism. joined with great appreciation of the American people, believe that the sense of justice and the material interests of the majority of the people of the United States will pre- vent war with Spain, through whose in- strumentality the new world was discover ed, by which Americans have been most highly benefited.
 Union of Spanish Political Parties.
 In the course of an interview Senor Cas- telar said further that he was acting as bond of union between the Liberals and Conservatives in order to secure the agree ment of all parties in Spain to ward of or repel any outrage upon the national honor. He had secured good understanding, he said, between Senor Canovas del Castillo, the president of the council, and Senor Sa- gasta, ex-premier of the Literal govern ment, thus strengthening the hands of the government to carry out the necessary measures to satisfy the reasonable demands of outsiders and affording content to the colonists while always defending the na- tional honor.
 Senor Castelar considers that If she were pushed to desperation Spain could inf1ict serious damage upon the United States in case of war.
 Senor Castelar, pointed out that he con- siders international wars at the present day disgrace to modern civilization. Such a war, he thought, would be more H. logical for the United States than for any other great nation. He regarded the Unit ed States as t.le model for all other nations in avoiding wars and seeking the settle ment Of international disputes by arbitra- tion.
 Admiral Jose Maria Beranger, the min ister of marine, in response to a request from press representative, consented to express his views regarding the existing relations between Spain and the United States.
 Getting warships Ready.
 "I consider a rupture between Spain and the United States improbable" said Ad- miral Beranger, but with a view of avert ing any chance of a conflict the Spanish men-of-war in Cuban waters have received strict instructions to avoid any friction with the United States. Nevertheless, in order to be prepared for any emergency, 1 have ordered the vessels building abroad and at home for the government to be completed rapidly for service The marine infantry will be strongly organized, and all the seamen In the maritime districts will be enrolled. Should war unfortu- nately arise the mercantile marine would fit out numerous privateers, manned by picked crews, which would be capable of . inf1cting great damage upon American shipping on the high seas and on unforti- fled American seaports"
 Admiral Beranger expressed his belief that the Spanish navy, in the daring of the crews and the strength of the ships, was a match for the American. He ex- pressed the hope, however, that Spain would only require her navy to defend her | colonial possessions from insurgent crimi- nals without any international conflict. Acc rdipg to interviews published in the Madrid newspapers, Senor Canovas is | represented as saying that everything is ready t. apply reform in the Spanish West Indies, but that all will depend upon the course of the campaign in Cuba. The re- forms, he says, will be applied first to Por- | to Rico but nothing has been decided up- on the subje pending the receipt of fur ther dispatches from Captain General Wey I Ter.
 While am premier" said Senor Cano- | vas, Spain will not provoke conflict with the United states, ut l will irook | no attack on the sovereignty of Spalu. l say this calmly. but am resolved to abide by 1t. This is my last word" ."