The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-21
Spain IS READY.
Officials at Madrid Inter
viewed on the Situation.
Any Issue WhichMay Arise With
United States Will Be Met.
War Will Not Be Provoked, But Spanish
Sovereignty Must Be Sustained.

Madrid. Dec. 21.-while there is In
tense feeling here I'm regard to the ac-
tion of the United States senate COM
mittee In adopting the Cameron resolu-
ton, government officials are very tenn
perate in the expression on the situa-
ton. The Spanish minister at Wash
ington has informed the government of
an interview with Secretary of State
Olney. during which the latter gave as
surance that President Cleveland would
not recognize the independence Of Cuba
at this time. The secretary further
stated that Spain need not look for any
action in the Cuban matter before next
spring at the earliest.
General Marcelo De AZcarraga, the
minister Of war. was suffering from an
indisposition, and was not able to be in
terviewed on the situation, but a num-
Der of high officials OF the war Office
consented to supplement the expressions
from the foreign Office.
These officials stated that Captain
General Weyler In Cuba has received
instructions to hurry up his campaign
by the delivery OF bold strokes against
the insurgents in order to prevent the
Cubans from rallying from the disaster
prive the Americans Of any pretext for
q demand for Cuban independence.
THE war Office" said one of the high
officials In that department yesterday,
will not provoke. nor will II finch from
any contest upon which depends the
national honor. The army can rely
upon absolute support, with patriotic
enthusiasm. and with the entire re-
sources of the country. We can land
100000 more soldiers In Cuba within
three months. We believe that the
principal inhabitants Of Cuba would un-
conditionally support Spain against the
Americans"
War officials also assert that Captain
General Weyler's army will not be al
lowed to return to the Spanish peninsula
except as victors. 1t is claimed that
General Azcarraga, minister Of war, is
considered the ablest, though quietest
organizer OF modern times, and that he
Is perfectly able to carry out the war
Offices statement that IL circumstances
compel them to do so they are ready to
meet complications with the United
States.
Senor Emilio Castelar, the distin.
guished Spanish Republican. gave the
following signed statement:
Inspired by high patriotism, Joined
with q great appreciation of the Ameri-
can people. l believe that the sense Of
Justice and the material interests OF the
majority Of the people of the United
States will prevent a war with Spain,
through whose instrumentality the New
World was discovered, by which Ameri-
cans have been most highly benefited"
Senor &" stellar said further that he
was acting as a bond of union between
the Liberals and, Conservatives in order
to secure the agreement of all parties
In Spain to ward off or repel any outrage
upon the national honor. He had Sc
cured a good understanding. he said
between Senior Canovas Del Castillo,
the president OF the council, and Senior
Sagasta. ex-premier of the Liberal gov
ernment, thus Strengthening the hands
Of the government to carry out the neces-
sary measures to satisfy the reasonable
demands of outsiders and affording
content to the coonists. while always
defending the national honor.
Senor Castelar, considers that II she
were pushed to desperation. Spain could
infict serious damage upon the United
States i'm case of war.
"Spain will not provoke a quarrel. ;"
he continued. but she cannot refuse il
while right and honor are on her side.
Nor would Spain be alone. Grave in
ternational complications would ensue."
Senor Castelar, pointed out that he
considers international wars at the
present day a disgrace to modern civi-
lization. Such n. war, he thought. would
be more illogical for the United States
than for any other great nation. He
regarded the United States as the model
for all other nations in avoiding was
and seeking the settlement of interna-
tlonal disputes by arbitration.
According to interviews published I'm
the Madrid papers Senor Canovas is re-
ported as saying that everything is
ready TO apply reform i'm the Spanish
West Indies, but that all will depend
upon the course Of the campaign in Cuba
The reforms. he says, will be applied
first to Porto Rico. but nothing has
been decided upon the subject pending
the receipt Of further dispatches from
Captain General Weyler
while | am premier" said Senior
Canovas. Spain will not provoke o con-
fict with the United States. but will
brook no attack on the sovereignty of
Spain. / say this calmly. but ! am re-
solved To abide by II. This is my last
word"
Admiral Jose Maria Beranger, the
minister of marine. said:
II consider rupture between Spain
and the United States improbable. but.
with view OF averting any chance OF A
conflict. the Spanish memo of-war I'm
Cuban waters have received strict in
structions to avoid any friction with the
United States. Nevertheless. in order to
be prepared for any emergency. have
ordered the vessels building abroad and
al home for the government to be COM
pleted rapidly for service. The marine
infantry will be strongly organized, and
all the seamen I'm the maritime districts
will be enrolled. Should n war unfor-
tunately arise, the mercantile marine
would ht out numerous privateers man
ned by picked crews. which would be
capable OF infiicting great damage upon
American shipping on the high seas and
on unfortified American seaports."
Admiral Beranger expressed his belief
that the Spanish navy. in the daring OF