Evening journal., 1896-11-14
situation still Critical.

WAsHINGToN, Nov. 1.-The Cuban sit
uation remains serious, despite diplomatic
contradictions and pacific utterancos from
Madrid. 1t is undeniable that moderate
preparations have been made in the last
month under tho navy department, and it
is certain that the navy is in condition for
any emergency. 1t remains Co be seen
whether the aierbncss is justified but the
United States officers deem the situation
sufficiently ominous to remain on their
guard.
An interesting phase Of the Cuban matter
is the claims made by both governments.
Hardly week passes that the state depart
ment docs not receive from American
property owners in Cuba claims for prop
erty destroyed or injuries sustained at the
lands OF the revolutionists. These claims
have been forwarded to Madrid when it
has appeared that there was a basis for
them, and already those adiudged in Wash
ington as meritorious aggregate a sum
well into the millions.
Spirited correspondence has occurred as
a result of some of these claims, notably
In the case Of the Delgados, father and
son, and Anericans by naturalization,
whose property was ruined and one Of
whom narrowly escaped with his life after
sustaining severe injuries from an attack
by the Spanish. Il was asserted in some
quarters that tho presentation of these
claims led to the strained relations now
prevailing between Spain and this coun-
try, and it is certain that while Minister
Taylor has not departed from the usual
eourtesies Of diplomacy he has had to as
sumo oftentimes severity in his transac-
tions which was not altogether amicable.
Spain Has Claims Too.
To offset these claims, it is now learned
that Spain is treasuring up numerous
claims against this government, and it is
estimated by one state department official
that the Spanish demand will also foot up
into the millions. 1t is based on the illi-
clustering expeditions which have gone
from our shores and which have sustained
4 the Cuban revolutionists in their struggle
against the home government. 1t is un-
derstood that the Spanish claim is based
upon no less a precedent than the Alabama
incident and the Geneva award and that
the Spanish authorities, from all accounts,
expect to be successful.
1t has been suggested that The amount
of the claims Of one country would offset
those Of the other This indicates that the
ASpanish estimate Of damage attributable
) to the flibustering expeditions is enor-
NOUS. and the impression prevails that
4 should it be so generous it will be dis
fputed by the Washington authorities.
Senor de LONE, the Spanish minister,
received the following cablegram from the
Duke du Ietuan, Spanish minister of for
elsn AFFAIRS dated at Madrid: "The cable
grams from New York and Washington,
4 published in London referring to the sup
q ] ord notes of Mr.. Taylor and the Spanish
suVerrsont, are entirely false There is
lot the slightest foundation for such ru-
,aors. which are undoubtedly Of flibuster-
H irg origin.
The notes referred to were reported to
have passed between Minister Taylor and
the government at Madrid last August. It
4 was clleged that they were caused by Mr..
JsylCr's discovery that Spain had sent a
s.ete to each foreign representative at Mad
& rid excepting himself endeavoring to dis
cover what their countries would do in
event OF war between Spain and the United
( States Minister Taylor, it was then as
serted, demanded the instant recall of these
notes. He made report to the state de-
& partment Of the circumstances under
which he made his discovery and Of the
steps be took to have the notes recalled.
There win probably be no occurrences
Of a sensational nature within the next
eight weeks, but this government has pre-
y pared itself, in a way not to attract attcn-
tion or to carry insult 20 any country, for
any emergency which may arise