The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-06

OF Spain, that "our people are Mortified
anu agtated by the spectacle, at our
very ucorss OF war, not only with all Its
orCinary attendance OF cevastation and
Carnage. but with accomplishments Of
rhrparous shooting OF prisoners OF war,
summary execution by military commits
age"
tne language here used. II will be OBJ
served, Is strong and plain.
:, we should like to know whether the
Uon. Hannis Tay lor, VINO Is now the
american Minister at Madrid, has ever
received from secretary Oiney any des-
patches similar to these upon the same
sroject. Barharous deeds like those which
We're formerly perpetrated In Cuba VAL
maseda are now perpetrated there by Vel.
yer; and our people have been horrihed
ano agitated, for year past, by the fui-
~ authenticated accounts OF them which
nave been received In this country. Sec
retary Fish gave Spain TO understand the
nature OF the sentiment which existed In
this country. Have we mad cause for be-
iieving that Secretary Olney has followed
his example?
General Grant was President Of the
United States when the instructions here
spoken OF were sent TO Minister Sickles
and Minister Cushing.
During the last war in Cuba our friend
~ intervention was rendered TO spain,
and the terms and conditions OF Ii were
made the subject OF discus ion between
General Juan Prim, then president OF the
Spanish Ministerial Council aud the
American Minister at Madrid. So far
from our offer OF Intervention being re-
garded with asperity or suspicion, 1t was
welcomed by the Spanish government
and II was for reasons appertaining to Its
form rather than to its substance that II
proved to be ineffective at that time
There were frequent acts of diplomatic
Intervention in Cuban affairs by this gov
ernment during tie year OF the last Gu an
insurrection, while Grant was President.
AS was shown by Minister sickles, In his
communication to The Sun, We insisted
upon more humane conduct OF the war,
urged spain to grant substantial auton-
omy to Cuba, and offered our good offices
in the arrangement OF basis upon which
Cuban independence might be recognized.
Secretary Fish instructed our minister at
Madrid to communicate TO Spaiu, from
time to time, the views OF this govern
ment upon CUBAN affairs; and these IN
structions were carried out. Spain was
informed that "the refusal of govern
ment to redress wrongs justifies armed
resistance 10 them, I" and that the troubles
IN Cuba had been brought about by
Spanish maladministration there. "While
we acknowledge, said Secretary Fish,
"our obligsti TO the general rule which
requires nation to abstain from inter
ference IN the domestic concerns OF any
other nation, yet circumstances some
times warrant partial exceptions to this
rule" Ana General Grants Secretary OF
State found one OF these exceptions in the
case of Cuba. At that time the Spanish
government was profuse In Its promises
to our Government.
All the statements here made are mat
ters OF officisl record.
Why should not this Government speak
as freely to Spain at his time, about the
case of Cuba as IL hen spoke? Why
should not Secretary Olney address Spain
in language as plain ana as definite as
that which was used by Secretary Fish?
Why should Mr.. Cleveland's administra.
tion shrink from following the example
of General Grants in this matter? We
have certainly as much reason for taking
an interest in Cuba at this time as we
could shave had 20 years ago. Spanish
maladministration there, is certainly as
gross as ever 1t wse. We have certainly az
much reason for demonstrating against
the bloody deeds of Weyler as we ever
had for demonstrating against those oi
any of his predecessors. N. Y. sun.