The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-07
HUMBLE PLEA.
Put Forth by Spain For Friendship
of UIated States.
MADE ALL AMENDS POSSIBLE
For Recent Hostile DemonStra-
tionS Against US.

today the following authentic statement
of the policy OF Spain rs to Cuba and con-
gress from Prime Minister Castillo. Ii
Is accompanied 10y personal message to
Joseph Pulitzer, from the president OF the
council of state at Madrid. authorizing its
publication. The statement is as follows:
We have as yet no official intentions OF
the American government, and cannot,
therefore, take cognizance of, or protest
by note against, any of the proceedings of
the senate or house OF representatives of
the United States. We have taken no Off
cial notice whatever 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 through
Minister Taylor that we have endeavored
to enforce respect for the American lega-
tion and consulates, repressing so sternly
the disturbances that we have ordered the
Madrid, Granada, Barcelona and Valencia
universities closed and we will close all
universities. schools and establishments
whose students dare TO make demonstra-
will send to prison and prompt trial all
authors and promoters of such disturb
ances. We beiteve they are prompted by
the advanced Republicans
Nothing will be omitted on our side to
show our desire to preserve cordial rela-
tions with America / am convinced that
we possess sufficient means to suppress
any hostile demonstrations The govern
ment of Spain regrets and has made all
the amends possible for the manifestation
already made of the indignation which
the speeches at Washington naturally ex-
cited among the ever-loyal people of
Spain.
Premier In n Quandary.
r. The situation now Is one OF extreme
delicacy. Indeed, cannot define how far
IL Is possible for the government of Spain
to permit amicable and careful mediation
OF foreign power, however honorable
and disinterosted 1t may be- without in
curing the grave risk of being accused OF
submitting to outside interference, pres
sure and dictation in the midst of civil
war.
The United States are a great power,
and until they recognize the object and
encourage the aims of the insurrectionists
In Cuba they are friendly to Spnin. After
the recognition OF the belligerents in Cuba
by the United States it would be impos-
sible for the government of Spain TO ac-
oept the good offices of President Cleve-
land or to permit any interference what
ever.
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 prizes highly.
am fully alive To tho significance and
the possible consequences Of the vote of
the United States congress to<he rebels,
as well as to Spain, i'm her relations with
the United States, especially in connec-
ton with the right of search on the high
seas, and in the matter of privateer and
hlibustering expeditions.
The only new and seemingly warlike
preparations yet made by Spain are made
simply with u view to equpping fleet OF
warships and transatlantic steamers to
chase filibusters and to guard the coasts OF
Cuba. That is the sole object in view.
General Weyler, having said that he has
had enough troops, only the usual reliefs
will he sent to Cuba until autumn, and
no naval demonstration is contemplated.
The elections will not interfere with the
action of the government, as 1t intends to
conduct them in tolerant spirit for all
parties, fair representation being arranged
for even tho West Indian constituencies.
Besides, In every imperial and interna-
tional question the Spanards have always
shown patriotic spirit.
Backs Up weyIer's Methods.
The misrepresentation concerning Gen.
eral Weyler's character and methods as n
soldier originated in "a misstatement OF
facts In his career and OF his assignments
and Instructions. Both in Cuba, % years
ago, and in the Philippine islands since
then, Weylcr has only carried out the or.
ders of bis chiefs.
Before nc left for Cuba the last time, I
saw and spoke TO him and approved his
views. Consequently he hos simply acted
I'm harmony with the requirements of this
war, I'm which tho insurgents have not
only set at defiance the rules of civilized
warfare, but have violated the provisions
OF tho 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 American citizens in
Cuba
l am determined TO carry ont the admin.
istrativo political reforms already voted
by tho cnrtcs as soon as the pacifcation OF
the island permits, and even such econoni-
teal tariff reforms as may bc consistent
with the interests Of both the colony mud
the mother country. But IL Is impossible
20 altcmpt REFORMS during "a civil war or
under any foreign pressure in the prcscn,
condition OF the island.
When Marshal Campos was sent g.
Cuba as governor general the government
would certainly have allowed him to I'm.
ttitutc the reforms II he had deemed them
advisable. But he soon discovered that 1,
was impossiblo TO do so.