Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20

iUt UltNlWIu OF FNOltkINIUh IttflFtV llOil
Minister de LONE, that resolution looking
to the independence OF Cuba would he
adopted by the United states senate commit
tee on foreign affairs, but he does not be-
lieve that congress Will eventually pass res
olutions Of this character. even though pub
lie opinion may influence the American con-
gress. Senior Castillo EXPRESSES a doubt
whether it viii be able to influence the other
branch OF the United States government and
President Cleveland. Spain so far accord
ing to Premier Canovas del Castillo, Is sat
isned with the situation. Senor Cauovas del
Castillo was Of the opinion that Secretary
OF State Oncy had supported the cause OF
international law with wisdom. The holi,
days he thought, would give congress time
for reflection. r. however, the members
of the United states house Of representatives
and senate persist In the attitude shown By
the senate committee on foreign a"alrs
Senior Canovas del Castillo said that he had
reason to believe the president OF the
United States would interpose a veto, thus
compelling the reutroduction Of resolutions
favoring Cuban independence, all Of which
would take time.
Senior Canoyas del Castillo made the sig
nifcant and important statement during the
course of the Interview that the recognition
of the bcligtrency and even the independ-
ence Of the Cuban insurgents need not nee
essarily be considered causus beili, But,
nevertheless. he thought any such action on
the part of the United States government
Spanish nation. The government of Spain,
he insisted, however, would determine for
itself what course TO pursue. Energetic
action would not be lacking he added, but
he thought It was necessary that the gov
ernments action should not be embarrassed
by manifcstOes.
In conclusion, Premier Canovas del Cas-
tillo asserted that the course OF events would
indicate before a conflict could arise whether
or not it. would be necessary to convoke
session of the Cortes.
In another interview obtained by the AS
ISOLATED press from Senor Canovas del Cas-
tillo, the president of the council expressed
himself as having confidence that the friend
ship and the correct craftsmanship Of Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Olney and the
good sense OF the conservative section of
the American people would prevent inter-
national war. Spain, the premier said,
would do its utmost to avoid friction with
America but he was of the opinion that no
Spanish government could overlook the ma
tona dignity or oppose the patriotism of
q nation whose history contains only deeds
of heroism and records of brave actions, re-
gardess OF the consequences The warlike
attitude OF the American politicians and GER
tain classes Of citizens and sections OF the
press was eXplainable only In the light of
their absolute ignorance of the true state
of affairs in Cuba. According to the prime
minister the people or Cuba have always
received special favors from the mother cOun-
by the Americans. III the former admins
tration OF affairs i'm Cuba was immoral. con
tinued Senor Canovas del Castillo, it was a
fault largely of the Cubans, who received |
the principal benefit from dishonest govern |
mental employees. The governments is seri |
ously disposed to grant satisfactory powers |
of sef-administratiOn to Cuba on the sub !
mission Of the insurgents he explained, The !
rebels, he added, do not want reforms, but |
independence. This fact. he thought, was |
uprf,ptly gylppt whom Gppqtpr Cameron & |
resolution prOuouncing for the independence |
of Cuba was understood Senior Castillo |
said that Spain would succumb rather than |
give Cuba her independence voluntarily. In !
conclusion, he said that Spain was preparing |
against all eyentualties. Should matters
require the assembling Of the Cortes the
government will instantly summon the |
members Of the Spanish Parliament together
and in case Of a great national struggle he
thought that all Spaniards would become as
one party for the purpose of defending the
national honor.
Admiral Beranger minister of marine. has
wired instructions to the government and
to all private shipbuildng firms to hasten
forward to completion all the war ships now
in course of construction. lie received re
plies to the. effect that all of these orders
would be promptly carried out
Popular excitement because OF the recent
action of the foreign affairs committee OF
the senate continues, but no demonstrations
against the Americans in this country are
reported
Ambassador Hannis Taylor, during the
course OF an interview with the correspond
ent of the Associated press, said he attached
slight Importance to the resolution offered
by Senator Cameron. He thought the prob
able result would be a friendly understand
ing between the American and Spanish gov
ernments, and that this would ultimately
lead to a guaranty by the government of
the United States to the Cubans of salts
factory system of self-administration, but
not OF absolute independence a condition OF
affairs for which the mixed Cuban races
are unfit. Continuing. Ambassador Taylor
made a significant statement to the effect
that should the Cuban insurgents refuse
overtures considered fair by both the gov
ernments of Spain and the United States,
the American government would so help the
Spanish nation that the insurgents, finding
their desperate straits would be compelled
to submit. The solution OF the entire ques-
tion he thought, depended upon the finding
of mode of procedure whereby the United
States could help Spain without offending
and the feeling of the Spanish military
classes, whose spirit and interests require
conciliatory measures.
In view Of the fact that American interests
must suffer enormously by reason of the con-
tinuance OF the Cuban war. business men
everywhere would prefer peace to jingOism,
said Ambassador Taylor. In conclusion, Mr..
Taylor said that Spain now had the op
Of pushing the Cuban war to a
rapid termination, ana that this would |
prove a far better policy than that of ban Z
dying words of defiance with powerful
enemy.