Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-03-10
POSITION OF SPAIN
PRIME MINISTER CONOVAS TALKS ON
CUBA AND CONGRESS.


Granting of Belligerent Rights to tho
Insurgents Entirely Grouudless The
Sending of Warship, to Cuba Intend
ed Only to Guard tho Coast.
NEW YORK, March 1.-The World
prints the following authentic state
ment Of the policy of Spain as to Cuba
and congress from Prime Minister
Canovas. It is accompanied by a per-
sonal message to Joseph Pulitzer from
the president of the council Of state at
Madrid, authorizing its publication.
The statement is as follows:
Madrid, March Eve have as vet
no official notification of the intentions
of the American government and can
not, therefore, take cognizance of or
protest by note against any of the pro-
ceedings Of the senate and house of
representatives of the United States.
We have taken no official notice what
ever Of the proceedings 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 consulates.
The situation now is one of extreme
delicacy. Indeed, cannot define how
far 1t is possible for the government Of
Spain to permit amicable and careful
mediation of a foreign power, however
honorable and dislnterested it may be,
without mourning the grave risk Of be-
ing accused Of submitting to outside
interference, pressure and dictation in
the midst Of a evil war. The United
States are a great power, and until
they recognize the object and encour-
age the aims Of the insurrectionists in
Cuba, they are friendly to Spain After
the
Recognition OF the Belligerents
by the United States, it would be i'm
possible for the government of Spain to
accept the good Offices of President
Cleveland or to permit any interference
whatever. Nevertheless, I still hope
some means will be found by the presi-
dent to avoid alternating the friendly
relations with the United States, which
Spain has shown this week that she
prizes highly:
am fully alive to the significance
and the possible consequences of the
vote Of the United States congress to
the rebels, as well as to Spain in her
relations with the United States, and
especially in connection with the right
Of search on the high seas and in the
matter Of privateers and flibusterlng
expeditions.
Spain Equipping warships.
The only new and seemingly warlike
preparations yet made by Spain are
made simply with view to equippine
fleet of warships and transatlantic
steamers to chase flibusterers and tc
guard the coasts of Cuba. This is the
sole object in view. General Weylel
has said that he has had enough troops,
only the usual reliefs will be sent tc
Cuba until autumn and no naval dem
onstration is contemplated.
The elections will not interfere with
the acton Of the government, as it in.
tends to conduct them in a tolerant
spirit for all parties, fair representation
being arranged for even the West In
dian constituencies.
The misrepresentation concerning
General Weyler's character and meth
DDS as a soldier originated in
Misstatements of Facts
in his career and of his assignments
and instructions. Both in Cuba &C
years ago and IN the Philippine Islands
since then, Weyley has only carried out
the orders of his chiefs.
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. Fol-
instance, they were nearly surprised
and captured this week by a Spanish
column in the province Of Las Villas.
CANOvAS DEL CASTILLO.