Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-07
SPANS POSITION
Clearly Set Forth by Prime Min.
lister Canovas.


lister Canovas.
WOULD RETAIN OUR FRIENDSHIP,
But Nsves at the Expense Of Spain,s Best
InteressS-The Powers Have Not Been
Appealed To-Says Reforms In Cuba Arc
Impossible While tho War Goes On-De-
mics That Any just Grounds Exist for 40
cordins Beiiigersat Rights to the Cubans.
NEW YORK, March THE World will
print today the following authentic state
ment Of the policy Of Spain as to Cuba
and congress from Prime Minister Cano-
vas. 1t Is accompanied by q personal mes
sage to Joseph Pulitzer from the presi-
dent Of the council Of state at Madrid arl-
thoriEing its publication. The statement,
which is dated Madrid, March 6, is as fol.
lows:
I'VE have as yet no official notification
Of the intentions Of the American govern
ment, and cannot therefore, take
cognizance of, or protest by note
against. any Of the proceedings Of the SEN
ate and house of representatives of the
United States. We have taken no official
notics whatever Of the proceedings end
speeches in Washingto during the past
weeks.
Lave Not Sounded the European Powers.
''Nor have we sounded the European
powers or courts regarding their support
in any form. All we have done is to show
to the American government and to Min
lister Taylor that we have endeavored to
enforce respect for the American legation
and consulates, REFRESHING SO sternly the
disturbances that we have ordered the
Madrid, Granada, Barcelona and Valencia
universities closed, and we will close all
universities, schools and establishments
whose students dare to make demonstra-
tions hostile to the United States. We
will send to prison and prompt trial all
the authors and promoters of such dis
turbances. We believe they are prompt
ed by the advanced Republicans. Moth
ing 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 quell any hos
tile demonstrations. The government Of
Spain regrets and has made al the
amends possible for the manifestation al.
ready made of the Indignation which the
speeches at Washington naturally ex cited
among the ever-loyal people of Spain.
Prizes the Friendship of Uncle Sam.
'"The situation now is one of extreme
delicacy. Indeed, l cannot define how
far it is possible tor the government of
Spain to permit anicable and careful
meditation Of a foreign power, however
honorable and disinterestedi it may be, with
out mourning the grave risk of being &C
cused Of submitting to outside interior
ence, pressure and dictation in the midst
OF a civil war. The United States arc q
great power, and until they recognize the
object and encourage the aims of the in
surrectionists in Cuba they are friendly
to Spain. After the recognition of the
bellcgercnts in Cuba by the United States
it would be impossible for the govern
ment OF Spain to accept the good offices
Of President Cleveland or to permit any
intereference whatever. Nevertheless I
still hope some means will be found by
the president to avoid alternating the
friendly relations with the United States,
which Spain has shown this week that
she prizes highly.
spain's Sole Objective View.
II am fully alive to the Significance and
the possible consequences of the vote Of
the United States congress to the rebels as
well as to Spain in her relations with the
United States, and especially in connec-
ton with the right of search on the high
seas and in the matter of privateers and
| filibustering expeditions The only new
and seeming warlike preparations yet
made by Spain are made simply with o
view to equipping fleet o. warships and
transatlantic steamers to chase f1libusters
and to guard the coasts of Cuba. That is
the sole object in view. General Weyler
having said that he has had enough
! troops, only the usual reliefs will be sent
| to Cuba until autumn, and no naval dem
onstrstion is contemplated. The elections
| will not interfere with the action of the
| government, as it intends to conduct
them in tolercnt spirit for all parties,
| fair representation being arranged for
| even the West Indian constituencies. Be-
] sides, in every imperial and international
| question the Spainards have always shown
n patriotic spirit.
weyler Has Simply Obeyed Instructions.
The Misrepresentation concerning Gen
| eras Weylcr's character and methods as q
| soldicc originated in q misstatement of
| facts i'm his career and OF his assignments
and instructions. Both in Cuba twenty
years ago, aud in the Philippine islands
since then. Weyler has only carried out
the orders of his chiefs. Before he left
| for Cuba the last time I saw him and
| spoke to him and approved his views Con.
| sequently he has simply acted in harmony
| with the requirements Of this war. in
which the insurgents have not only set at
defiance the rules of civilized warfare, but
have violated the provisions of the treaty
of l7a5 between Spain and the United
States, and OF the protocol Of 1877 re-
| speeding the lives and the property of all
| real and, alleged American citizens in
Cuba am determined to carry out the
administrative political reforms already
| voted by the cortcs as soon as the pacifica-
ton Of the island permits, and even such
economical tariff reforms as may be con-
sistent with the interests of both the