The record-union., 1896-12-21
PRIME MINISTER CANOVAS'
OPINION OF THE SCOPE OF CAM
ERON'S RESOLUTION.
Thinks Spain Will Have a Right to
Stop American Vessels
at Sea
at Sea.

MADRID, Dec ZU.-SenOr CanOVaS uei
Castillo, the Prime Minister, has re-
ceived the official text of President
Clevelands message to the American
Congress and will shortly make a decla-
ration on that part of the document
which refers to the Cuban question.
Conferences have been held during
the past few days between the most
prominent men in political life in Spain
with the object of seeking solution Of
the problem which confronts the Gov
ernnlent, and which it is possible might
cause a war with the United States. 1t
is conceded in all political circles that
that the Willingness of Spain to grant
reforms in the Spanish West Indies
should tend to avert any display of ag-
gressiveness 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
shall have been suppressed for it is
held that to offer reforms with the
Cubans still in arms would indicate
weakness on the part of Spain and
would also be derogatory to her honor.
Though the popular Indignation
caused by the receipt Of the news OF
the action of the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the American Senate
shows little sign of diminution, there
have been no manifestations against
the United States or its representative
anywhere in Spain. That such mani
festationS were expected, however, is
shown by the fact that gendarmes We're
Cs1 no 7
ton here and precautions were taken
elsewhere to protect the various consul
Iates of the United States, should the
excited people attempt to make an at
tack on them. Orders We're sent to the
Governors Of the several provinces to
prohibit any anti-American demonstra-
tions, and from dispatches received to-
day from the provincial capitals * is
known that the orders were faithfully
carried out.
Prominent politicians confirm the
statements contained in yesterdays dis
patches to the United Associated Presses
that it is the intention Of the Govern
ment when the opportunity arrives,
to put into effect in Cuba political and
economical reforms, which, it is said,
will be wider in their scope than those
approved by the Cortes last year.
The death is announced to-day of
Senor Don Miguel Decerrara former
Minister of the Colonies. He was very
popular and it is said of him that at one
time he hindered the sale of Cuba to
the United States.
Prime Minister Canovas holds that
under the framing of Senator Cam
eron's resolution there will be no armed
intervention on the part of the United
States in Cuban Territory Though the
partisans of the proposal may obtain
the necessary votes to override the veto
which he believes President Cleveland
will interpose and so make the resolution
an obligatory Act Of Congress, it would
only affect a recognition of the indie
pendence of Cuba and lead to an offer
of it's good Offices by the United States
TO terminate the war. With whatever
officiousness the United States may in
tcrpose, Spain will retain the right to
accept or reject the offer of the Ameri-
can good offices. If the United States
recognizes the independence of Cuba.
she will then have to recognize the laws
Of neutrality. If she recognizes the bell
ligerency of the Cubans Spain will have
the right to stop and visit American yes
sells at sea.
Senior Canovas does not think that
the Cameron resolution need cause seri-
Gus perturbation. 1t will only make the
relations between Spain and the United
States more strained, but need not cause
a rupture. He will never consent to
foreign interference in what is a ques-
tion OF Spain's domestic politics. Spain
Will regulate her acts so that nobody
Will be able to say that she made war
upon another Power, yet she will always
repel aggression.
The tone of the newspapers generally
is more moderate to-day than 1t was
yesterday. They contain little to excite
he faa