Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-03
SPAIN READY ID APOLOGIZE Her Minister Gives His .Govern-
 ment's Regrets. EUROPE DEEPLY CONCERNED Press Opinions Invariably Adverse to This
 Country. AN AFFAIR THAT MAY YET CAUSE WAR Excitement and Indignation of the Spanish People Are Regarded as Nothing
 More Than Natural Resent
 ment Against America.
AN AFFAIR THAT MAY YET CAUSE WA

Washington, March 2.-After a long conference with President Cleveland this morning Secretary Olney gave out for publication the following telegram from MT. Taylor, United States minister at Madrid, under date of March 1:
 "The minister of state has just called to express deep regret that a mob has in- suited the Barcelona consulate, breaking windows, and offered complete repara- ton. He informed me that the govern ment on it's own motion has taken every preeaution to protect the legation"
 Prior to the receipt of the dispatch messages reporting the assault on the Barcelona consulate had been received from both Minister Taylor and Herbert Bowen, consul at Barcelona. Senor De Puy De Lome, Spanish minister, was also informed of the news and he waived cer- emony and called on Secretary Olney at his residence yesterday to express in ad- vance of instructions the regret of his government over the occurrence.
 These indications of the desire of the Spanish government to- make every amend for the insult to the consulate were carefully considered by the presi- dent and Secretary Olney at their confer ence this morning. They were convinced that no affront had been given for which the government was responsible, and it is
  dispatch to Minister Taylor instructing him to make known to the Spanish au- thorities the appreciation of this govern ment of their prompt disavowal of the insult. The incident is believed in official circles to be pra ctically ended with Spain's repudiation of any responsibility for the attack of the mob and her desire to do all that is possible to make amends satis- factory to the United States. There is a contingency, however that the admins tration fears may interfere with the speedy termination of the affair in a gratifying manner, and that is the growth of intense feeling in congress over what may be construed into an insult to the United States
 The view of the administration Is that the insult was committed by a crowd of irresponsible persons and that the prompt explanat ton of the Spanish minister for foreign affairs, and the evident desire of his government to show spirit of friend Illness to this country in promise to make reparation, should be accepted in good faith by the United States. It is feared, however, by some of those officials who take this view that our already strained relations with Spain over the Cuban resolution may be put to further tension by a discussion of the affair in congress. This, it is thought, may has ten action on the Cuban resolutions by the house and result in their adoption in such form that the president will be obliged to commit the executive branch of the government to some definite policy with regard to Cuban belligerency. As the president and Secretary Olney are en- deavoring at the present time to formu- late some plans-wth reference to the United States and Cuba, they may be considerably embarrassed if matters take the turn indicated. Beyond the in- formation in the dispatch quoted nothing can be learned at the state department concerning the present critical aspect of affairs.
 It is not unlikely, however, that the facts may be laid before congress through the medium of a message from the president.