The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-12-24
SPAIN IS CONFIDENT
ASSURANCES FROM MINISTER DU-
PUY DE LONE.



he had a conference with Mr.. Olney the
secretary of state, in the course of which
the latter assured him that Spain might
rest tranquil until March, at least, since
despite the attitude of congress- Presi-
dent Cleveland would not recognize the
Independence of Cuba.
A representative of the Associated Press
sought to secure an explanation from the
war office on the relations with the
United States as influenced by the action
of the senate foreign relations committee
on the Cameron resolution.
General Azcarraga, the minister of war,
was suffering from an indsposition and
was not able to be interviewed But a
number of high officials of the war office
consented to supplement the explanations
secured yesterday from the foreign office.
These officials stated to the representa-
tive of the Associated Press that General
Weyler in Cuba has received Instructions
to hurry up his campaign by the delivery
of a bold stroke against the insurgents in
order to prevent the Cubans from rally
ing from the disaster of Maceo's death,
and in order to deprive the Americans OF
any pretext for a demand for Cuban in
dependence.
1t was added that Spain was quite able
to meet the situation and can promptly
mobilize as many as $4,000 fresh troops
in addition to those now engaged in Cuba
and the PHILIPPINES.
The officials of the war department ex-
planned that large orders have been
placed abroad for arms and ammunition.
and Spain's rifle and munition factories
are working day and night to provide
against any possible external complica-
tons that may arise in Cuba or in the
PHILIPPINES.
Not Afraid of Consequences.
1.-THE war Office" said one of the high
officials in that department, will not
provoke, nor will it finch from, any con-
test upon which depends the national
honor. The army can rely upon abso-
| lutte support, with patriotic enthusiasm
| and with the entire resources of tho coun-
| try We can land half million more
| soldiers in Cuba within three months. VIZ
believe that the principal inhabitants ol
Cuba would unconditionally support
| Spain against the Americans.
The war office officials also assert thai
| Captain General Weylers army will MOI
| be allowed to return to the Spanish pen
insula except as victors. 1t is claimed
| that General Azcarraga, minister of war
| is considered the ablest, though quietest
| organizer of modern times and that he
| is perfectly able to carry out the war Of
| flee statement that if circumstances com
pei them to do SO, they are ready to meet
| complications with the United States.
Senior CASTELAR, Talks.
| Senior Emilio Castelar, the distinguished
4
| to the Associated Press an expression
| of his opinion on the relations between
| Spain and the United States. In reply, he
! gave the following signed statement:
| inspired by high patriotism, joined
with a great appreciation of the Amer
can people, 1 believe the sense of justice
| and a material interest of the majority
| of the people of the United States will
prevent war with Spain, through who's,
| instrumentality the new world was dis
covered, by which Americans have beei
most highly benefited"
In the course of an interview, Seno
| CASTELAR, said further that he was acting
as q bond of union between the liberal
and conservatives in order to secure TIL
agreement of all parties in Spain to war,
off or repel any outrage upon the nationa
honor. He had secured a good under
standing, he said, between Senior Canova
del Castillo the president of the council
and Senor Sagasta, ex-premier of tn
liberal government. thus Strengthening
the hands of the government to carr.
out the new measures to satisfy the rea
sonable demands of outsiders and afford
ing content to the colonies, while alway
defending the national honor. He con
sders that If she were pushed to des
perate measures, Spain could infiict seri
Gus damage upon the United States /
case of war. She can not refuse 1t Will
right and honor are on her side. No
| would Spain be alone Grave interna
tional complications would ensue.
Senor CASTELAR, pointed out that he cor
| sidered international wars at the preser
day a disgrace to modern civilization
Such a war, he thought would be NOR
illogical for the United States than fc
any other nation. He regarded tn
United States as a model for all othe
nations in avoiding wars and seeking tn
settlement of international disputes b
arbitration.
Admiral Heranger Bcnstfu1
| Admiral Beranger, the minister of ms
rine, in response to a request of repr'
sentative of the Associated Press, con sen
ed to express his views on the existing r,
lations between Spain and the Unite
States.
"I consider q rupture between Spa
and the United States improbable" sal
! the admiral, "but with view of avertir
any chance of conflict, the Spanish mel
a of-war in Cuban waters have receive
strict instructions to avoid any frictiC
with the United States. Nevertheless,
order to be prepared for amy emergency,
| have ordered the vessels building abros
and at homie to be completed rapidly f
| service. The marine infantry will
| strongly organized and all the seamen
the maritime districts will be enrolle
Should a war unfortunately arise, L
}. mercantile marine would fit out numero
lprivateers, manned by picked crews, whi
: would be capable of inficting great dar
Il age upon American shipping on the nj:
; seas and on unfortified American Sc
. ports"
u Admiral Beranger expressed his bell
= that the Spanish navy, in the daring
n crews and the strength of the Spanls
was a match for the Americans. He c
. pressed the hope, however, that Spa
would only require her navy to defend n
>, colonial possession from insurgent crii
e. inals without any international conflict.
st Senior Canovas' Views.
q According to interviews published
the Madrid newspapers, Senior Canovas
reported as saying that everything
is ready to apply. reform in the Spanish w,
Or Indies, but that all depend upon the ooui
o. o. Of the campaign in Cuba The reforms,
- says, will be applied first to Porto Hi