The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-09
SPAIN WISHES PEACE.

SPAIN WISHES PEACE.
So Says Prime Minister Canovas in .
Statement.
New York, March 1.-THE World prints
the following statement of the policy
Of Spain as to Cuba and Congress- from
Prime Minister Canovas. The statement
is as follows:
MADRID, March Eve have as yet no
official notification OF the intentions of
the Amariosn government, and cannot,
therefore, take cognizance Of or protest
by note against any of the proceedings
of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States. We have taken
no official notice whatever of the proceed
ings and speeches in Washington during
the past week. Nor have we sounded the
European powers or courts regarding
their support in any form.
All we have done is to show to the
American government and to Minister
Taylor that we have endeavored to en-
force respect for the American legation
and oonsulates, REFRESHING so stsrnly the
disturbances that we have ordered the
Madrid, Granada, Barcelona and Valenc-
ia universities closed, and we will close
all universities, schools and establish
ments, whose students are to make dem
onstrations hostile to the United STATES.
We will send to prison and prompt tri-
al all the authors and promoters of
such disturbances. We believe they are
prompted by the advanced Republicans.
Nothing will be omitted on our side to
show our desire to preserve cordial rela-
lions with America. am convinced that
we possess sufficient means to quell any
hostile demonstrations.
The government of
SPAIN REGRETS
and has made all the amends possible for
the manifestation already made of the in
dignation which the speeches at Wash
ington naturally excited among the ever
loyal people of Spain. The situation is
one of extreme delicaoy. Indeed, 1 can
not define how far it is possible for the
government of Spain to permit amioable
and careful mediation of foreign power,
however honorable and disinterested it
may be, without mourning the grave risk
of being accused Of submitting to outside
interference, pressure and dictation in
midst of q civil war.
The United States are great power,
and until they recognize the object and
encourage the aims of the instruction
lists in Cuba, they are friendly to Spain.
After the recognition of the belligere nts
in Cuba by the United otAtes, it would
be impossible for the government Of
Spain to accept the good offices of Presi-
dent Cleveland, or to permit any inter-
ference whatever Nevertheless, / still
hope some means will be found by the
President to avoid alternating the friendly
relations with the United States, which
Spain has shown this week that she high
ly prizes. I am fully alive to the signi-
f1cance and the possible consequences of a
vote of the United States Congress to the
rebels as we'll as to Spain, in her rela-
tions with the United States, especially
in connection with the right of search
on the high seas, and in the matter Of
privateers and f1libustering expeditions.
The only new and seemingly
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS
yet made by Spain are made simply with
view to equipping feet of warships
and transatlantic steamers to chase flli-
busterers and to guard the coasts ofCuba.
That is the sole object in view.
Gen. Weyler having said that he has
had enough troops, only the usual reliefs
will be sent to Cuba until autumn, and
no naval demonstration is contemplated.
The misapprehension concerning Gen.
Weyler's character and methods as sol
dier originated in misstatement OF
facts in his career and of his assignments
and instructions. He has simply acted
in harmony with the requirements of
this war, In which the insurgents have
not only set at defiance the rules of civil
lized warfare, but have violated the pro-
visions of the treaty of 1895 between
Spain and the United States, and of the
protocol of 1877, respecting the lives and
property of all real and alleged Ameri-
can citizens in Cuba.
am Q6Uor1ulucu W CdETy Oub bu6 AL
ministrative political reforms already
voted by the Cortes, as soon as the paci
fication of the island permits, and even
such economical tariff reforms as may be
consistant with the interests of both the
colony and the mother country. But it
is impossible to attempt reforms during
civil war, or under any foreign pres
sure, in the present condition of the is
land.
When Marshal Campos was sent to
Cuba as Captain General, the govern
ment would certainly have allowed him
| to institute the reforms If he had deemed
them advisable. But he soon discovered
that it was impossible to do SO.
We cannot admit that the slightest
ground exists for the recognition of the
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents,
whose so-called President, the Marquis
of Santa Lucia, and the members of his
executive council are nomads like the
rebel bands, ever on the move. For in
stance, they were nearly surprised and
captured this week by Spanish column
tho ,,ror;poo IF nc Villas