The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-21
INDIGNATION in
SPAIN SUBSIDIES
Care, However, Is Taken for the Pr0tec.
tion of American Citizens.
REFORMS MAY YET BE GRANTED
The Spanish Government Thinks
That the InsurrcctiOn should BE
Crushed First .. Anti. American
Demonstrations Have Been Pro.
hibitcd..OpiniOns Of the Press.

Madrid, Dec 2O.-Senor Canovas Del
Castillo, the prime minister. has receiv
ed the official text uf President CleVe-
lands message to the American con-
gress, and will shortly make declara
tIon On that part of the document which
refers to the Cuban question. Confer
enCes have been held during the past
few days between the most prominent
men in political life in Spain with the
object of seeking solution of the
problem which cOnfrOntS the govern
ment and which, it is possible. might
cause a war with the United States. 1t
is conceded in all political circles that
the situation is grave but it is thought
that the Willingness of Spain to grant
reforms in the Spanish West Indies
should tend to avert display of ag-
gressiveness on the part of the United
States. One point Is settled upon and
that Is that no reforms shall be put in
to effect in Cuba until the insurrection
shall have been suppressed. for 1t is
held that to offer reforms with the Gu
bans still in arms would indicate weak
ness on the part of Spain and would
also be derUgatory to her honor.
Though the popular indignation caus-
ed by the receipt of the news of the
action of the committee on foreign re-
la;iOns Of the American senate shows
little signs of diminution. there have
leen no manifestations against the Uni
ted States or its representatives any
where in Spain. That such manifesto
tions were expected, however. is shown
by the fact that police and gendarmes
were detailed to guard the American
legation here. and precautions were
taken elsewhere to protect the various
consulates of the United States should
the excited people attempt to make an
attack upon them. Orders were sent
to the governors of the several proVin-
ces to prohibit any anti-American DEM
onstrations and from dispatches receiv-
ed today from the provincial capitals
it Is known that the orders were faith
fully carried out.
Prominent politicians confirm the
statements contained in yesterdays
dispatches to the United Associated
Presses that it is the intention of the
government, when the OppOrtune mom-
ent arrives to put into effect IN
Cuba political and economical reforms,
which it is said. will be wider in their
scope than those approved by the
Cortes last year.
SPAIN NEEDS JUDGMENT.
The Epoca. the organ of Senor Can
ovas and the ministerialists, in COM
menting uoOn the situation says that
Spains needs at the present moment
much calm. soupr judgment on the
part of the public to avoid greater diff
ficulties than those the government is
now facing. AS long as prudence is
compatible with national honor Spain
has nothing to do save to defend her
rights If they are attacked.
A recognition of belligerency Is not
Causus Belli unless such recognition Is
granted by an interested nation. Form
erly Spain recognized the belligerency
of the Southern States of America de-
spite the protest of the Federal govern
ment, which did not regard the attitude
of European governments in this mat
ter as a Causus Belli. If the act indicat-
ed by the Cameron resolution shall be
consummated Spain will protest. there
by greatly influencing the relations be-
tween the United States and Spain. but
Spaniards must not forget the at
titude of the powers which. after Pres
ident Cieveland's declaration anent the
Anglo Venezuelan dispute. abstaincd
from any intervention. Spain ought
to keep account of all these precedents
Prime Minister Canovas holds that
under the framing of Senator Gamer
On's resolution there will be no armed
intervention on the part of the United
States in Cuba territory though the
partisans of the proposal may obtain
the necessary votes to over ride the
veto which he believes President Cleve-
land will interpose and So make the
resolution an obligatory act of con-
gress it would only effect recognition
of the Independence of Cuba and lead
to an offer of it's good offices by the
United states to terminate the war.
With whatever OtliciOusness the United
States may interpose, Spain will retain
t,.. J..