The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1896-11-12
MAY HAVE WAR WITH SPAIN.
AN INCIDENT WHICH SHOWS THE
FEELING AT 1ADRID.
The Spanish Prime Minister Tries to
Learn the Attitude of For
eign Powers.

N
ciaI from Washington says: Appre-
hension of trouble with Spain growing
out OF the Cuban war has determined
President Cleveland and Secretaries
Olney and Herbert to put the navy on
a war footing at the earliest possible
moment.
Since August 2Sth last, when Min
lister Taylor, at Madrid, Informed the
State Department of the defiant atti-
tude of Spain toward the United States.
vigorous steps have been taken to keep
the navy up to its full fighting strength.
During the past few days activity has
been renewed and orders have been is
sued which show the intention of the
Navy Department to have all the ships
ready by the LIST of December.
On August 2Sth last Minister Taylor,
at Madrid, learned at a dinner given by
the British ambassador to the represen-
tatives of foreign Powers that two or
three days previous the Prime Minister
of Spain had sent a note to each EN-
Lassadcr, saying that in view OF the
policy of the United States toward his
Government there might follow a re-
sentiment of its attitude, and in that
event he wished to be informed as to
the probable attitude OF the European
Governments. The note was sent to
every legation at Madrid, and but for
the British representative it's exist
ence would not have been known to
Minister Taylor.
After this dinner Minister Taylor sent
to the Spanish Government a note that
;cL
note, or he would demand his passports
and return to Washington This sew
erance of diplomatic relations would
have been followed by the recall of the
Spanish Minister at Washington. The
prOmptness and vigor of Mr.. Taylor'S
threat produced it's effect, and within
twentyfour hours every ambassador
had returned his note. The incident be-
came known in Washington, however
through a cable message, and the Lon
don and Paris Foreign Offices no doubt
were informed also of the Spanish Gov
ernment's request by their representa-
tives at Madrid.
For months the State Department has
known that Spain is irritated and an
noyed at the manner in which the fill
Southern ports with arms and ammuni-
ton for the Cuban rebels. The Presi-
dent, however, did not realize the ex-
tent of Spain's hostility, or that she
was secretly endeavoring to sound
other Governments as to their feeling
toward the United States, but recently
Mr.. Taylor has forwarded to Washing
ton additional evidence that Spain has
seriously thought of forcing trouble
with the United States in order to escape
from the Cuban dilemma.
From the White House comes the I'M
official statement that there is to be no
reversal of the Administra TONS policy
and that unless the situation is decidedly
changed in Cuba, the President win ad-
here strictly to his original intention of
Withholding recognition of Cuban bel
ligerency until stronger evidence of the
ability of the Insurgents to form some
kind of Government is shown.
While it is generally accepted in army
circles that the President will not rec
ommend to Congress any action in re-
gard to the Cuban situation, he will re-
fer to the defiance manifested by Spain,
and warn the country of the probability
of serious trouble, if indeed it does not
occur before the assembling of Con-
gress.
Military experts can see no possible
way in which Weyler can defeat the in
surgents, If his campaign as outlined be
carried out. Weylers presence in the
field, they say, will inspire the insur-
gents to great activity, and result in
bringing about some of the most stub
bern battles yet fought on the island.
Even with his army of 200. 900 men, it
is thought that it will be impossible for
Weyler to prevent the insurgents from
getting around his flank, and unless his
cities are left heavily guarded, the fol-
lowers of Maceo may be expected soon
to hold some of the important towns on
the island.