The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-07
FRIENDLY SPAIN.
Premier CanOvas Explains the
Spanish Contentious.
Desires Peace and Continuance
Il of Cordial Relations.
WEYLER is DEFENDED.
Recognition OF Cuba Would Be.
Very Hostile.
Have Tried to Protect the Amer
lean Legation.
WEYLER is DEFENDED.

MADRID, March Prime Minister
Canovas del Costello has given out the
following statement concerning
SPANS position on the Cuban ques-
ton:
1--WE have as yet no official notifica-
ton of the intentions of the Ameri-
can government and cannot. there
fore, take cognizance of nor protest by
note against any of the proceedings
of the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of the United States. We have
taken no official notice whatever of
the proc ceilings and speeches In
Washington during the past week.
Nor have we sounded the European
powers or courts regarding their sup
port in any form All we have done
is to show to the American govern
ment and to Minister Taylor that we
have endeavored to enforce respect
for the American legation and
consulates, depressing so sternly the
distur dances that we have ordered the
Madrid, Granada, Barcelona and VAL
encia universities closed, and we will
close all universities. schools and es-
ia Adjustments whose students dare to
make demonstrations hostile to the
United States. We will send to prison
promoters of such disturbances. We
believe they are prompted by the ad-
vanced Repu blicans-
Nothing will be omitted on our
side to show our desire to preserve
cordial relations with America. L am
convinced that we possess sufficient
means to quiet any hostile demonstra-
tons. The government of Spain re-
grets 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.
THE situation is now one of ex-
IRENE delicacy. Indeed, 1 cannot de-
fine how far it is possible for the gov
eminent of Spain to permit amicable
and careful mediation of a foreign
power, however honorable and disin-
terested it may be, without mourning
the grave risk of being accused of
submitting to outside interference,
pressure 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 Spain. After the recogni-
ton of the belligerents in Cuba by
the United States, it would be impos-
sible for the government of Spain to
accept the good Offices of President
Cleveland, or to permit any interior
ence whatever.
Nevertheless, I still hope some
means will be found by the president
to avoid alternating the friendly rela-
tions with the United States which
Spain has shown this week that she
prizes highly.
~ am fully alive to the significance
and the possible consequences of the
IL
the rebels, as well as to Spain, in her
with the United States, and
especially in connection with the right |
of search on the high seas and in the |
matter of privateers and flibusterinR |
1.-THE misapprehensions concerning
General Weyler's character and meth |
DDS as soldier originated in a mis- !
statement of facts in his career and of |
his assignments and instructions. |
Both in Cuba, twenty years ago, and |
in the Philippine islands since then.
Weyler has only carried out the or
1ers of his chiefs.
l. II am determined to carry out the
political reforms
already voted by the cortes as soon as
The pacifcation of the island permits,
md even such economical tariff re-
iorms as may be consistent with the
interests of both the colony and the
mother country.
but it is i'm possible to attempt re-
orms during civil war or under any
oreign pressu re in the present condi-
ion of the island
I'VE cannot admit that the slight
st ground exists for the recognition
f the belligerency of the Cuban in
whose so-called president,
he Marquis of Santa Lucia, and the
nem bers of his executive council, are
omsds, like the rebel bands, ever on
he move. For instance, thev were
early surprised and captured this
week by a Spanish column in the
rovince of Las Villas