The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-05-11
AMERICAN PROTEST AGAINST THE
EXECUTION OF THE COMPETE
TORS CREW
TANNING THE EMBERs OF WAR,
WHICH HAVE sMoLDERED SINCE
THE PASSAGE OF THE CUBAN
RESOLUTIONS.
DOOMED MEN HAVE A RETRIEVE
No Action Can Be Taken Until the
Spanish Authorities Act on
the Sentences.

the Sentences.
MADRID, May 10.-There are evidences of
growing popular excitement in Spain over the
attitude of the United States government to-
ward the question of the filibusters captured
on board the Competitor. The riots and out
breaks Of popular hatred towards the United
States at the time of the passage in congress
Of the resolutions favoring the recognition of
the Cubans as belligerents have not been for
gotten, and the sentiments which caused them
are but smoldering. The Spanish government
has on all possible occasions expressed its
appreciation of and satisfaction with the ef-
forts made by the United States government
to prevent, as far as lay in its power. the
giving of unlawful aid to the Cuban insur-
gents By citizens of the United States. But
the widespread sympathy felt for the insur-
gents in the United States is well recognized
by the Spanish people. and the news OF ex-
petitions from the United States landed from
time to time in Cuba creates intense irrita-
ton.
The news OF the capture of the men on
the Competitor was received with great salts
faction and rejoicing. 1t was felt to be the
first opportunity that had been offered to
make an example of those engaged in feed
ing the nsurrection. The popular demand for
their execution is general, and is likely to
become vocferous. Little account Is taken
of the refined questions Of treaty interpreta-
ton involved in the protest OF the United
States government against the execution of
the sentences. The action OF the United
States is regarded rather as an expression OF
sympathy with the insurrection, and there
Will be
STRONG POPULAR CLAMoR
to disregard it, The public feeling on the
question is fostered by the tenor of the ad-
vices received from Havana Dispatches from
there affirm that Capt. Gen. Weyler is great
ly irritated at the attitude of the United
States on the question of the sentence. 1t Is
asserted that IL the Spanish government
adopts a contrary view, owing to the rep
resentations made by the government, Gen.
Weyler will resign his post.
Allegations are made in these Havana dis
patches of very extraordinary conduct on the
part of Ramon o. Williams. United States
consul general. If these are not true, they
are nevertheless certain to add fuel to the
fire of popular indignation in Spain. Mr..
Williams attitude, it is asserted. is the sub
ject of general eensure in Havana, and 1t
is said to be very provocative. The story
goes on to relate that the United States con-
sui general shows himself everywhere in
public places in Havana, using irritating and
menacing language regarding the probable
action towards the authorities in case the SEN
tences upon the Competitor captiyes are ex-
ecuted.
The impartial, commenting upon the atti-
tude of the United States, says that a man ac-
cused of acts of piracy admitted before
court-martal in Havana that the American
police made point of vanishing when fill
clustering expeditions for Cuba were about to
leave Key West.
Ell Liberal declares that the Spanish gov
ernment ought to have sent a squadron to
Cuba, in addition to arming all the trans
Atlantic steamships at its disposal for that
service. 1t asserts that the steamer Bermuda.
belonging to the Cuban insurgent commit
tee, embarked upon the Florida coast 10000
rifles six pieces of artillery, three mitrail-
leuses, quantity of munitions OF war and
600 men, the majority of whom were gunners
of the United States militia. This embarka-
tic z. ook place, Ell Liberal says, In spite Of
the protests of the Spanish consul at jack
sonville against allowing it, and the Bermuda
left without difficulty or obstruction, and,
according to the kilograms received from
Capt. Gen. Weyler. the expedition has already
landed. This report has created sensation
in Madrid, and establishment is expressed by
Ell Liberal at the conduct Of the United
States in the matter
At meeting Of Conservative senators and
deputies on Saturday evening, the premier,
Senior Canovas del Castillo, declared that 1t
would be impossible to introduce reforms
for Cuba before the situation there had be-
come normal again. He admitted that the
Spanish arms alone would fail to terminate
the war, but he said he believed that the
encouragement of the insurgents and the
prevalence of racial hatred among them
would contribute largely to the cessation OF
hostilities.
All the comments of the press manifest the
deep impression made upon the public mind
by the action of the United States towards
the sentence of the Competitor captives. A
later dispatch from Havana confirms the re-
port that Capt Gen. Weyler has threatened
to resign unless the sentences are executed.
Senior Canovas del Castillo, the premier,
being asked for an expression of his opinion
regarding the matter, said 1.-THE affair
must be settled in accordance with the law
and treaties"
The Heraldo compares the offensive con-
duct of the United States consul general at
Havana with that Of the British consul who
made many representations in favor of par
dening the prisoners The Heraldo maintains
that the rebels in Cuba are constantly receiy-
ing assistance from America without which
the rebellion would have been suppressed long
ago.
The Epoca, which is the ministerial organ,
discusses the question in far more conserv-
ative and less embittered manner than the
other newspapers. The Epoca also says
that the attitude of President Cleveland and
Mr.. Olney appears to be incredible, and de-
clares that the theory ascribed to Mr.. Olney
by the New York World deserves no serious
reply, because the offense cannot be regarded
as question Of contraband, according to the
principles of international law.
The Correo says that the demands Of the
United States are unjust and menacing, be-
cause 1t is proved that 1libustering expedi-
tions are organized in the United States
without difficulty, and that the consequences
Of such conduct wound the national feeling
In Spain.
Several papers publish the report that be-
sides Gen. Weyler, Generals Ochando and
Ahumada, who hold important commands in
Cuba, are also threatening to resign IL the
decree Of the court-martial is quashed.
SPAIN MIST APPROVE