Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-03-05
THE CABINET MEETS.
DISCUSSES THE SPANISH STU
ALTON.
Spain Apologies for tho Action Of the
the Mob nt barcelona. hut Wants an
Apology for tho Action of Our Senate,

Washington, March 2.-The Spanish.
American situation, growing ont Of ths
reports of riots In Barcelona and other
cities In Spain. was regarded 80 serious
ly by the president that n special meet
Ing Of the cabinet was held last night,
though the call was Issued under the
guise of n dinner at Secretary Olney's.
This dinner conference lasted until after
ten o'clock. During the dinner Secretary
Olncy produced scme important inforlna'
tion that had come to him by cable.
He read a letter from Minister De
LONE, the Spanish minister. inclos!ng n
cable message lie had recci ID from his
government. This message directed the
Spanish minister to inform the United
States government that Spain was exert.
Ing all her power to amply protect the
United States legation and consuls and
that he could give assurances that they
would be protected from any harm. Al
so that Americans visiting and residing
In Spain would be safe from the attacks
Of mobs and other riotous assemblies.
The communication from the Spanish
minister Is couched In pleasant and
friendly terms and reiterated on his own
behalf assurances of his government that
no outrages should be perpetratcd upon
Americans In Spain.
Secretary Olney submitted another
communication which created profound
surprise. 1t was message from the
Spanish minister of foreign affairs in
Madrid Insisting that the United States
government disavow the action Of the
Senate, rs condition preccndent to con
tinued friendly relations between the
two governments.
This was something the administration
had not expected to be confronted wits,
and the president and cabinet ministers
present were inclined to excuse 1t to
some extent upon the basis Of the ignor-
nnca OF even Spanish ministers Of the
United States and their form Of govern
ment.
The only result Of the conference nj
Secretary Olney's was a practical agree.
mcnt that the secretary Of state should
promptly respond in kindly terms to the
communication of Minister Dc Lone,
and through him thank his government
for Its readiness to protect Americans
and American interests In Spain. Tie
demand for disclaimer of the Senate's
resolution will be ignored, but at the
same time there Is reason to assert that
the president Is not regardless Of the crit.
ical situation.
The secretary Of the navy, purely rs
measure of precaution. will take steps to
bring an efficient fleet Of war vessels
near enough together to mass then,
promptly at any point that may be
threatened.
The Spanish government took steps
very promptly to make amends to the
United States for the outburst OF mob
violence at Barcelona. This action, and
especially the fact that 1t was taken I'm.
medlately on news Of the affair reach.
ing the Spanish government and with.
out waiting for any suggestion from the
United States, doubtless will tend great
ly to relieve the situation and prevent a
serious outcome of the mob's attack on
our consulate.
The intelligence of the disavowal by
Spain reached the state department car.
ly this morning In cablegram FROM
Mr.. Hannls Taylor, United States minis
ter at Madrid. This telegram was dated
yesterday, and says that the Spanish
minister of state has expressed deep re.
gret at the Barcelona affair and has Of
fered complete reparation. The dispatch
added that measures have been taken t.
accord the United States legation protec
tion.