Evening journal., 1896-06-22
NGLAND FAVORS SPAIN
itish Want the Spaniards to
Rule Cuba.
OPTIONAL SPANISH ATROCITIES.

fenseiess Women aud Children Re-
ported Ruthlessiy Slaughtered Rspuh-
& lean Utterances on the Cuban Qses-
S ion Causes Unessiness Ia Madrid.
.KEY WEST, June 22.--As refiecting pop
& pr sentiment on the approaching crisis
g Cuban affairs and foreshadowing the
ssble end of the Spanish rule In the is
ld La Discussion Of Havana, under the
e&ption England and Cuba, publishes
nost significant article based on pri-
e To letter from well informed corre-
y ondent in London to prominent person
# Havana, the trend Of which shows the
Etitude Of England on the Cuban ques-
bn. La Discussion, quoting the letter,
is:
"a The British government at the com
< encemept Of the Cuban insurrection is
N ed orders that neutrality laws be vigor-
81 sly observed by Englands subjects in
81 Q Antilles. Great Britain also refrained
ON making any public manifestations
hatever Her ministry in its delibera-
II pms, has apparently ignored Cuban
FAIRS entirely Even the attitude Of the
Exposition has been conservative
i This has been due partly to the fact that
Hle Cuban question arose almost oojnci-
N mt with that of Venezuela; also that
bring the last few months the govern
s ent of Queen Victoria has been seriously
81 coupled with affairs in Egypt and South
81 frica. To have meddled with the Cuban
position would have in measure strained
Il &sr relations with the United States at
me when they were not very cordial.
II With France and Germany, neverthe-
sss continues the correspondent, Eng
nd has not ceased TO exercise strong
sAbd favorable influence at Madrid in
pnnish affairs. She has counseled the
aioption of a humane policy with the in
Slrgents, the concession of radical sys-
"a I'M of self government and the enforce
ent of vigorous military operations in
Euba. In this the English government is
Hot only actuated by friendship, but by
Nslfish motives as we'll as she believes the
Nnly solution of the Cuban question which
=ould not prejudice her interests on the
land is the perpetuation Of Spanish rule
1rder liberal political and commercial
#olicy.
Il England Opposes Cuba's Freedom.
England Is opposed TO the annexation
SO Cuba to the United States, and she op-
Noses Cuban Independence for the reason
4 bat sooner or later that would result in
|nnexation. This would give the United
5 tates menacing strength. Her southern
ase Of naval operations which Is now in
lorida, would be transplanted to Santa
10 de Cuba, whence she could dominate
he Antilles and all waters between them
Ind her possessions in North America.
B The English colonies would lose all
E heir strategic value, and the inufience OF
he United States, besides being strength
ned IN North and Central America, would
lso become felt on the southern continent.
Annexation does not suit England from
commercial standpoint. From an auton-
mist governments under Spanish rule
England can expect more liberal tariff
han would be applied by America. The
British government Is convinced that the
United States has deep laid plan 60 se-
sure the island not by disputing its pos
ession with Spain by force Of arms, but
Jy manifesting to Nhe Madrid government
1 III the hostility necessary to encourage the
F.evolutionists, hoping that the latter in
ihe course Of time will ruin the island
and thus force spain to abandon it. Then
the Washington government could take
possession without incurring the expense
Of war and without tho invasion Of
rights already renounced by the Spanish
sovereignty.
England sees but slight probability
Of the abandonment Of the island, but
upon such contingency is ready to anticl-
pate the United States. She viii not vac
ilate, taking possession of the principal
ports of Cuba and intrenchinR herself
therein, with the assurance that no power
could dislodge her therefrom
Already portion Of the Cuban debt is
held in England, and additional invest
ments are being made for her by English
capitalists. Idle capital, which does not
want to be sent today TO Argentina, and
which is beginning to be Withdrawn from
South Africa, Will be partly invested in
Cuba II proper government reform is es-
tabished
British officials have advised their gov
ernment that the island can easily pay of
its debt II Administrative changes are es-
tablished TO attract capital for the develop
ment Of its natural resources, railroads.
etc.
The correspondent finally says that Eng
land desires Cuba TO remain spanish, and,
when she oeases so TO be- not to fall into
the hands Of the United States.