Smyrna times., 1896-03-04

The action of the Congress of the
United States especially the passing
by the Senate with only six dissenting
votes a resolution favoring the grant
ing of belligerent nights to the strug-
ling Cuban rebels, stirred up the deep
est kind of feeling in Spain Sunday.
Admiral Berenger, Spanish Minister of
Marine, has ordered the speedy prep
aratiOn of six warships and some of the
naval reserve vessels of the Spanish
transatlantic Company, together with
several torpedo boats and one torpedo
catcher, to be ready for immediate de-
spatch to the Bahama Channel in the
| event of the United States acknOwledg-
ing the Cubans as belligerents. In
Madrid the public buildings, the
American Legation and the residence
Of Minister Taylor are guarded, the
Government fearing that an attack
might be made upon them. In Bar
celOna an attack was made upon the
United States consulate, nOtwithstand-
ing the fact that the building was
guarded, and the gendarmes were
obliged to charge upon the mob with
drawn sabres. A procession, cOmpris-
ing 10000 persons, paraded through
the principal streets of Barcelona as
demonstration against the United
States. At night a mob dragged an
American flag through the streets, and
finally pulled it to pieces amid cries of
''LOng Live Spain" and ''DOwn with
the Americans"
Spain is manifesting a very warlike
spirit towards the United States, and
while we do not want war, this country
cannot help extending sympathy for
the oppressed Cubans for freedom.
In view of the riotous action of the
Spanish people over the passage of the
Senate resolution it was not surprising
that the House should pass their reso-
lutiOns on the same subject but
stronger, Monday, by a vote of 2G3
yeas to II nays. These resolutions
are in favor of recognition of Cuban
belligerency as well as suggesting
friendly intervention on the part of the
United States. Spain of course is in
an uproar and the other European
Countries are sympathising with her
under the impression that this country
is getting too ''uppish.
It is not for moment to be supposed
that the Spanish Government approves
the conduct of the rioters or will en-
deavOr to defend it. Indeed, it is an
nOunced that it has already disavOwed
the Outrages, in advance of any repre-
sentatiOns by the United States. That
is well. Better still if the Spanish
press will cease its wild clamOr against
this country, and the Spanish people
realize that a temperate expression of
American opinion, or even declaration
of neutrality between the belligerent
forces in Cuba, is no cause for breach
OF friendly relations between the two
countries.
1t is quite true that it is a delicate
matter for one nation to intervene. to
even the least extent, between another
Power and an insurgent province.
This country did not relish any hint at
such Intervention in 1861. Yet three
European Powers did recognize the
belligerency of the COnfederates, and
Spain was one of them. Nor did they
wait until the rebellion had been in
progress full year, as this country
has done in the case of Cuba, but they
extended such recognition within a
few weeks, the last of them within two
months, after the fall Of Fort Sumter.
But we did not go to war with them
for it, nor suspend amicable relations;
we did not insult their flags, nor mob
their cOnsulates.