The San Francisco call., 1896-12-21
NO DANGER OF 4 RUPTURE.
Spatn Not in a Hurry to Gross StDords
With the United states.


With the United states.
MADRID, SPAIN, Dec. 20.-Senor Cano-
vas del Castillo, Prime Minister, has re-
ceived the official text o. President Cleve-
lands message to the American Congress,
and will shortly make a declaration on
that part of the document which refers to
the Cuban question. Conf, have
been held during the past few days be-
tween tae most prominent men in politi-
cal life in Spain with the object of seeking
a solution of the problem which confronts
the Government and which it is possible
might cause war with the United States.
1t is conceded IL political circles that
the situation is grave. but it is thought
that the Willingness of Spain to grant re-
forms IN the Spanish West Indies should
tend to avert any display of aggressive
ness on the part of the United States. One
point is settled upon, and that is that no
reforms shall be put into effect in Cuba
until the insurrection be suppressed, for it
is held that to offer reforms with the
Cubans still in arms would indicate weak
ness on the part of Spain and would also
be derogatory to Spanish honor.
Though Indignation caused by receipt of
the news of the action of the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the American
Senate shows little significance, there has
not been many manifestations over its
representatives in Spain. That such mani
testations were expected is shown by the
fact that police and gendarmes were de-
tailed to guard the American legation
here and precautions were taken else where
to protect the various consulates of the
United States should the excited people
attempt to make an attack OF them.
Orders were sent to the Governors Of sew
ersl provinces to prohibit any anti-Amer-
lean demonstrations, and from dispatches
received to-day from provincial ca pitals it
lis known that the orders were faithfully
carried out.
Prominent politicians confirm the state
ments contained in yesterdays dispatches
to the United Associated Presses that it is
the intention of the Government, when
the opportune time arrives, to put into
effect in Cuba political and economical re-
forms which it is said will be wider in
their scope than those proposed by the
Cortes last year.
The death is denied to-day of Senor Don
Manuel Decuerra, Minister of the Colonies.
He was very popular, and it is said of him
that one time he hind cred the sale of Cuba
to the United States.
The Epoca, the organ of Senior Cano-
vas and the Ministerialists in comment
ing on the situation, says that Spain
needs at the present moment much calm.
sound judgment on the part of the pub
lie to avoid greater difficulties than those
the Government is now facing. As long
as prudence is compatible with national
honor. Spain has nothing to do save TO
defend her rights if they are attacked. A
recognition of DeIligerency is not casus
bell unless such recognition is granted by
an interested nation. Formerly Spain
recognized the belligerency of the South
ern States of America, despite the protest
of the Federal Government, which did
not regard the attitude of European gov
ernments in this matter as a casus belli.
If the act indicated by the Cameron
resolution shall be consummated. Spain
will protest. thereby greatly straining the
relations between tie United States and
Spain, but the Spaniards must now forget
the attitude of the powers which, after
President Cleveland's declaration anent
the Anglo-Venezuelan dispute, abstained
from an Intervention. Spain ought to
keep account OF all these precedents.
Prime Minister Canovas holds that un-