Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-03-10


The statement is as follows:
Madrid, March 1--WE have as yet. no
Official notification of the intentions of the
American government, and cannot, there
fore, take cognizance Of or protest by note
against any of the proceedings of the SEN
nte and house of representatives OF the
United States We have taken no official
notice whatever of the proceedings and
speeches in Washington during the last
week.
Anxious to Remain Friendly.
Nor have we sounded the European pow
ers or courts regarding their support In any
form. All we have done is to show to the
American government and to Minister Tay-
Tor that we have endeavored to enforce re-
spect for the American legation and con-
Rulates, REFRESHING SO sternly the disturb
ances that we have ordered the Madrid
Granada, Barcelona and Valencia univer-
stiles closed, and we will close all univcr-
stiles. schools and establishments whose
students dare to make demonstrations hos
tile to the United States. We Will send to
prison and prompt trial all the authors and
promoters of such disturbances. We be-
republicans.
Nothing will be omitted on our side to
show our desire to preserve cordial rela-
tons with America. I am convinced that
yo possess sufficient means to Queu any
hostile demonstrations. The government
possible for the manifestation already made
Of the Indignation which the speeches at
Washington naturally excited among the
ever loyal people of Spain.
Near the Danger Line.
1.-THE situation now is one of extreme
It IL possible for the government Of Spain
to permit amicable and careful mediation
Or noreign power, however honorable and
diRintSrVsted 1t may be. without mourning
Ghe grave risk of being accused of submit
ting to outside interference. pressure and
dictation In the midst of civil war. The
United States are great power and until
they recognize the object and encourage
the aims Of the insurrectionists in Cuba
they are friendly to Spain. After the recog-
milton Of the belligerents in Cuba by the
United States 1t would be impossible for
the government of Spain to accept the good
Offices of President Cleveland or to permit
any interference whatever.
Nevertheless I st1ll hope some means
Will be found BY the president to avoid
United States. which Spain has shown this
week that she prizes highly.
Il am fully alive to the significance and
the possible consequences of the vote OF
tho United States congress to the rebels
IS well as to Spain in her relations with the
United States, and especially in connection
With the right Of search on the high seas
and in the matter Of privateers and hlibus-
tertng expeditions.
Wsrships to Chase Fillbustsrs.
1.-THE only new and seemingly warlllse
preparations yet made by Spain are made
simply with view of eQuipping a fleet
Of warships and transatlantic steamers to
chase filibusters and to guard the coasts
Of Cuba. That is the sole object in view.
Gen. Weyler having said that he had enough
troops. only the usual reliefs will be sent
to Cuba until autumn and no naval demon
stration 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
Besides. in every imperial and information
al question the 6paniards have always
shown patriotic spirit.
Defends weyler.
''The Misrepresentation concerning Gen.
Weyler's character and methods as SOL
dier originated IN misstatement Of facts
in his career and of his assignments and
Instructions. Both in Cuba 20 years ago
and in the Philippine islands since then
Weyler has only carried out the orders Of
bis chiefs. Before he left for Cuba the
lest time I saw and spoke to him and APP
proved his views. Consequently he has
simply acted in harmony with the require
lnents of this war. in which the insurgents
have not only set at defiance the rules of
civilized warfare, but have violated the pro-
visions OF the treaty OF 1875 between Spain
and the United States and Of the protocol
Of 1871 respecting the lives and the prop
erty Of all real and alleged American citi-
Gems in Cuba
Fl am determined to carry out the ad-
illustrative political reforms already voted
by the cortes as soon as the pacifcution of
the island permits, and even such economi-
cal tariff reforms as may be consistent with
the interests of both the colony and the
mother country. But is is impossible to at
tempt reforms during civil war or under
any foreign pressure in the present condi-
ton OF the island. When Marshal Campos
was sent to Cuba as governor-general the
government would certainly have allowed
him to institute the reforms If he had
deemed them advisable. But he soon dis
covered that 1t was impossible to do so.
I'VE cannot admit that the slightest
ground exists for the recognition of the bel
ligerency of the Cuban insurgents, whose
so-called president. the marquis Of santa
Lucia, and the members Of the executive
council are nomads, like the rebel bands,
ever on the move. For instance, they were
nearly surprised and captured this week
by Spanish column in the province of
Las Villas.
"CANovAs DEL CASTILLO"