The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
Dons Believe Cuba VIII BE subdued,
and Think They Are So Strong
They Can whip Uncle Sam.
ANOTHER BATTLE REPORTED
LACRET's BAND OF PATRIOTS SAID
TO HAVE LOST HEAVILY.
Two Hundred Insurgents Killed, Ac-
cording to the OmcinI Spanish Ac-
counts-Minor engagements.

LONDON, April AIR. Hobart c. Chat
field-Taylor. OF Chicago, who sailed for
America to-day, having only recently ar
rived in London after a winters sojourn In
Spain, gave his impressions Of the political
and social life in that country to reporter
before going aboard the steamer. During his
stay in Spain Mr.. Chatfield-Taylor had ample
opportunity of ascertaining the feeling which
animates the inner circles OF the government
towards the United States. He had an au-
dence OF the Queen Regent, was given an
opportunity of conversing with the prom
inent statesmen, and, by virtue or his ac-
quaintance with the Infanta Eulalie, was
everywhere received and entertained by
Spanish families Of the highest social dis
tinction.
There is one thing that the Americans
don't seem to understand" said Mr.. Chat
held-Taylor. land that is the thoroughly
earnest manner in which the Spaniards
would regard war with the United States.
They would regard 1t in the light Of a ia
tally. Once begun, they would enter on it
in thoroughly whole-souled manner. In
spite of all the reverses which, as a nation.
they have experienced, the old national
pride is far from being extinct. Then. too.
the mass of the people regard their nation
as more than military match for America
They argue that, having conquered Ma
po.eon, they are mighty military power.
The feeling amongst them is also almost uni
versal that the Americans are actuated by
a purely commercial spirit; that if Wall
street should find war imminent and heavy
drop in stocks the inevitable result all
thought of strife would at once be aban-
doned. Even Spaniards who have lived in
America are not afraid of war. One OF
these, who had been in the diplomatic SER
vice at Washington, said to me. We have
nothing to lose by war with your coun-
try We have everything to gain. There Is
also a great deal of reference made TO the
comparative military strength OF the two
countries. The SpaniardS say: We have
135 600 effective troops in Cuba alone where
the American army numbers but z, Geo.
The feeling against American interference
in Cuban affairs Is most intense and bitter.
The consensus of opinion is that Cuba Will
eventually be subdued. All classes are united
in this conviction. 1t is a matter OF senti-
ment with them. and they, will defend Cuba
to their last drop of blood. OF course. this
feeling regarding war only pertains to the
masses of the people. The actual statesmen
consequences. In any event, If war were de-
clared. the government would probably be
forced to accept it by popular sentiment"
the leading Spanish statesmen. Mr.. Chat
field-Taylor instanced Emilio Castelar,, at
one time the President of the Spanish re-
ccere of her statesmen. Being Republican.
he has never put foot inside the palace,
yet he has accepted the monarchy as neces-
sary for the best interests of Spain. but
only because the monarchy has granted re-
iigious and political liberty. His patriotism
shows itself IN everything. His manner of
speaking is wonderfully earnest. He spoke
to me with bitterness of the American atti-
tude toward Cuba, his face coloring with
Indignation. How is Ii possible he asked,
that the United States should be so un-
grateful to the land which gave it birth?
Spain Is the mother of America. and this
Is the base ingratitude of her child You do
not know there: you don't understand
u.s. We have more liberty than England.
What did we do in Spain at the time of the
republic? We declared universal suffrage,
religious and political freedom and manu-
mitted tho slaves Of Cuba 1t is a shame
that the people of America should call us
cruel and unenightened. Spain will fight
for Cuba until the last drop Of blood is
split. Her honor demands it,
In speaking of the social condition OF Mad
rid Mr.. Taylor said: 1.-The smart set In Mad
rid is but reproduction of the smart set in
New York The same social conditions seem
to prevail. The same men of leisure lounge
in the clubs. The women exhibit the same
desire for admiration and thirst for excite
ment. There are the same assumptions of
superiority and the same heartburnings. The
people of the smart set, however, are ex-
tremely intimate and clannish"
Referring to his reception by the Queen
Regent, Mr.. Taylor remarked: aside from
the ceremony of bowling, my reception was
almost wholly informal"