The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-20
SENSATION IN MADRID
But the Higher Officials Seem
co Understand Situation.
I'D NOT LOOK FOR WAR
The Spanish Press, as Quoted,
ls Much Divided.
RuT REMARKABLY eALAtoED

importance to Senate Resolution
and l. ~ooks For Friendly Agsee-
ment Towards Cuba.
Madrid, Dec 19.-The decision Of the
United States Senate committee on For
eign Relations to report Senator Cam
eron's resolution for the recognition OF
the republic of Cuba has CEASED great
sensation here. The newspapers enlarge
upon the significance of the joint, COM
pared with the concurrent resolution, and
reproach the government and especially
the Spanish Minister at Washington, for
having been too over-canfdent.
A foreign Office official, in an inter
view to-day with a representative of the
Associated Press, said that while the gov~
ernment regrets the action of the Senate,
it does not think that collision with the
United States via follow, as the time
elapsing before the House can adopt the
Senate resolutions will serve to calm the
hasty thinkers in the United Staes and
moderate the noisy patriots Of Spain who
will doubtless indulge in much of the
same kind os talk as the iingoes in
America"
He added: "In case the House concurs
in the Senate resolution, President Cleve-
lands declared policy, as shown in his
message 10 Congress, and In Secretary
Olney's statement, backed up by major
ity of the people of the United Staes, can
be relied upon in Spain to prevent any
hostile action. The talk OF the newspa-
pers of Madrid and New York cannot
be accepted as representing government
policy or desire For instance, the state
ments in the press that Senior Canovas
has been sounding the European powers
regarding the support they might extend
in case of war with the United States, is
absolutely untrue. Naturally Spain has
the sympathy of several of the powers,
as the question Of United States interven-
ton in Cuba may tomorrow be n ques-.
ton Of similar interference in Martinique.
Saint Thomas or Jamaica. But Senior
CanoyaS has not taken a step to seek sup
port for Spain. lie has never believed
that the matter would become aquestion
Of war, and he and the Duke of Tetuan
the Minister of Foreign Affairs), have
been acting with unceasing prudence.
avoiding eyeTy possible thing that might
lead to complications. Senior Canovas
/ has unbounded confidence in Minister
Taylor, and he has belief in the official
professions of United States friendship
Mr.. Taylor and the Duke of Tetuan are
warm friends. Fortunately the Cortes
does not assemble before April, so the
situation is shorn OF possible embarrass-
ments to the government from the fervid-
ness of Spanish patriotism. The situa-
ton is not alarming, as 1 do not believe
that America will go further than wild
talk"
The resolution has reawakened indig-
nation and looked upon as proving that
the attitude of the Americans as regard
ed by the populace is making war almost
inevitable. Spain seems to be prepared
for the worst and is appealing to interna-
tional sentiment to condemn America.
The Spanish press is divided in its
opinion on the subject
The Epoca, MinisterAlist, considers
the adoption Of the resolutions as doubt
full, owing TO ''the contradictory wording
including the independence Of Cuba and
friendly peace offices in one resolution"
The Epoca also thinks that President
Cleveland will veto the resolution if pass
ed, and that it will have weakening
effect
The Nacional condemns what it classes
as the "unpatriotic attitude Of the Spanish
press" in attacking Captain General
Weyler and othe Spanish Generals, claim
ing this hurts their prestige with the
army.
But the Nacional considers that war
between Spain and the United States
IS impossible, even should the resolution
be adopted owing othe disastrous eff
feet which it would have upon American
finances" 1t thinks that Americans
only aim at autonomy in Cuba in order
to secure special advantages in a political
commercial treaty, tantamount to a
monopoly of Cuban trade" and also ex-
presses the opinoin that the
Spanish government establish the
Porto Rico reforms, voted by the Cortes,
while postponing the reforms in Cuba
until the rebels are crushed"
El Correo Liberal, advocates granting
immediate reforms or even autonomy to
Cuba ''to satisfy the Yankees and obviate
war;
The Impartial, although attacking Cap
Weyler, advocates crushing |
the rebellion by arms as the first neces- |
sity, and advises the government to pre- |
pare against the possibility OF war with |
the United States.
The Heraldo condemns the hesitation |
of the government in relying upon the |
friendship Of President Cleveland, who, |
the Heraldo adds, SIS impotent to over
rule public opinion in the United States, |
which is bent upon quarreling with |
Spain and gobbling up Cuba"
The Correspondence considers the gov
to be between the dilemma of |
the friendly, although degrad-
ing Intervention of the Yankees, or war /
which would be ruinous to Spain, while
the United States cannot win unscathed." /
COMMENTS OF CASTILLO.
Madrid, Dec. 19.-Senor Canovas Del
Castillo, in an interview to-day, said that