Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-29
Leader of Spanish Liberals Talks of the
War in Cuba.
POINTS OUT THE MISTAKES OF CaNovAS
Public Opinion FnvorS the Prcmicr's
Policy and Romero BoIcro Says
Home Rule In the Antilles
Is Impossible.

In Cuba. Maceo's death has not produced
much in the way of political or military re-
suits up to the present time. The liberal
party believes that political action in the
West Indies would have been very useful
at the beginning OF the Cuban struggle, and
even now, would powerfully aid the mill
tary efforts. | think that both political and
military action ought to have been COM
bined with diplomatic efforts in Europe, and
especially in the United States | cannot
see why our government did not welcome ana
discuss the diplomatic advances Of the United
States, particularly II such advances are ad-
mitted to have implied nothing detrimental
to our rights in the West Indies. The lib
eral party, before going out of office induced
the Cortos to vote the home rule reforms,
which our successors ought to have i'm
planted in Porto Rico at least, to convince
Europe and America OF the sincerity Of our
proclaimed intentions in regard to the colo
MES. The same reforms should have been
applied to Cuba and also the tarif reforms
we obtained In the COrtos. The carrying
out OF these reforms ought to have enabled
the present government to avert all con-
nics with America"
Senor Sagasta assured me that he and the
liberal party have been, and still are most
anxious to create no difficulty OF the gov
ernment and mcst desrous of cooperating
in the pacifcation Of Cuba.
BELIEVE THEY AXE WlNNlNb,
have carefully explored the drift of pub
lie opinion in the last few days and have
consulted many Spanish statesmen and gen
erals in regard to the present condition
of the relations with the United States
Rightly or wrongly, their almost unanimous
opinion now is that SPANS position hao
been much improved lately by the tactics
of Premier Canovas, who practically has
obtained from the American State depart
ment and chief magistrate very much more
than he has ever given in the way of con-
cessons on minor points like the claims
Of American citizens in Cuba. or even in
very indistinct and underlined conditional
promises OF distant reforms OF the West
Indies. But Spanards think that Premier
CanOvas has obtained from President Cleve-
land, In the message to congress, and from
Secretary Olney, in his statements to the
senate committee, admissions and argu-
ments that very much strengthen the Span
ish case in the eyes OF Europe and Amer
lea, and that naturally Will be binding upon
the successors of Mr.. Cleveland and Mr..
Olney, bQth regards recognition of bel
ligerency and the Independence Of Cuba.
The Spanlards also think Sonor Canovas
has clearly proved that the American eX-
ecutlVe and the conservative and moneyed
classes IN the United States are unwilling
TO risk conflict or n war for Cuba. They
are convinced that Canovas has thus secured
a positive truce until March, with every
prospect of even longer delay by the Amer
lean government, which will give the Span
ish generals time enough to clear on the
surface the provinces OF Pinar del Rio, Ha-
vana and Matapzas sufficiently to furnish
the government with the desired opportu-
nifty to proclaim that Spain will begin to
carry out reforms in Porto Rico and Cuba
after the decisive success of her forces.
not under foreign pressure. The Spaniards
are exceedingly proud to see that Senor
Canoyas has shown more resolution in his
controversy with the United States than
Lord Salisbury exhibited They say Senor
Canoyas has faithfully reflected the ma
tiOnal feeling in intimating, publicly in
Spain and by diplomacy to President Cleve-
land, that neither he nor the Spanish gov
ernment would risk the prestige and stabl-
ity of the monarchy by submitting to the
Intervention or medium of the United
States
Last, but not least, they say that Senor
Canoyas has thus strengthened his own
position at court and in office, as he has
made 1t next TO impossible for any prob
able successor TO enter the councils Of the
regency with program of surrender to
American dictaton or very expensive home
rule policy in Cuba, or of too much con-
ceesiol TO American trade.
ROBLEDO SEES NO SOLUTION
ExMinister Romero Robledo has kindly
granted me formal interview.
My opinion" he said 'is the military
aspect of the Cuban question is decidedly
improved under General Weyler. but we
must wait to see the results Of his military
promenade in the province of Plnar del Rio
before we can judge the present outlook, as
the death OF Maceo up to the present has
not made much effect in the attitude OF the
rebels | don't think there is much ground
yet for believing his successors or the
white chiefs OF rebellion are disposed to give
In, aud | certainly believe that they would
not submit if promised any kind of auton-
omy as they are fighting for independence.
! don't believe reforms or autonomy are
likely TO improve our prospects in Cuba,
but | am firmly convinced the Cuban con-
servative party will grow and adhere to any
policy which the government may deem nt
10 adopt to hasten the pacifcatiOn of the
island and maintain Spanish rule there
Il also think our Spanish conservatives
and manufacturers and agriculturists and
all home interest will accept even tariff re-
forms which are detrimental TO their export
trade and favorable for Cuban and United
States interests. If we can thus re-establish
peace and consolidate relations between
Spain and Cuba, our greatest difficulty. even
after pacifcation. would be the restoration
OF Cuban finance. We cannot appeal 10 or
expect much from direct taxation nor any
tariff reforms or treaties with the United
States, which naturally affect the Cuban
customs revenue that barely suficed to pay
the face requirements of Cuban debts be-
fore the present inGurrection. How, then, is
tho cost OF the present struggle and paciiiCa-
tion 10 he met, except by a heavy burden OF
tax for Spain during many years.
u pOSlllNelS cOnSlNer II exceedingly dlt-
Rcult TO prevail against the repugnance Of
the Spanish people aud press for any foreign
Interference and for any recognition OF
American pretenslon to play a part or Sc
cure pledges from Spain In settlement OF
the Cuban question or In fixing the con-
ditious of colonial autonomy"
Senior Romero RobledO is considered In
Spain the principal wircpuller OF the con
seryatlye party in domestic politics In the
Kingdom, and hitherto even In colonial af-
fairs, and he is the exponent of the views
OF the Cuban conservatives Especially is
he credited with great influence over Min
lister Canovas. Though no longer n minis
ter he has been Senor Canoyas colleague
in several cabinets. He always opposed
home rule.
APPROACHES AN UNDERSTANDING.
An evidently inspired editorial in the
Epoca today, foreshadowlpg the possibility
of an understanding between the Spanish
government and President Cleveland has
caused a profound sensation in Spain, Ia
Epoca the principal organ Of the conserya-
tive party, now in power In Spain, says:
American Intervention m Cuba IL per
feetly logical on the grounds of national
interests ana natural sentiment. II miglt
become a necessity OF American home poll-
ties and would eventually be to the interest
of our own country 10 avoid conflict while
We can do so with honor, maintaining our
dignity and sovereignty.
The present efforts OF Spanish diplomacy
all aimed A la usRarted iu diDlpma / p