The herald., 1896-05-12

concerned. Senior Canovas del Castillo
Will have to consider the effect which q
surrender to the United States might
have upon the stability of the monarc ".
He may have to choose between rup-
ture with the United States and revo-
luton at home.'
The Madrid correspondent of the
Daily Mail believes that it has already
been resolved to respite the Competitor
prisoners at Havana, the queen regent
being especially desirous to avoid COM
pl1cattons. The ministers, this corre-
Spondent continues, are with her and
Will do nothing to jeopardize the posi-
tion of Cuba
In an interview which the correspond
ent mad with Senor Sagastas, the Lib
eral leader, he refused to discuss
whether the men taken on the Competi-
tor were simply smugglers or filibusters,
bue he said 1t was evident that If pardon
were granted to the British prisoner it
cannot be withheld from the Americans.
The Chronicle says in an editorial:
Mr.. Olney is an exceedingly determined
man, and 1t is therefore quite certain
that the filibusters will not be shot.
There is only one course of action that
can save Cuba to Spain, and that is to
make terms with the insurgents and to
grant reasonable autonomy.
Tne Graphic, commenting upon the
question at issue between the United
States and Spain over the men SEN
fenced to death at Havana. compares
the Competitor cases to the Jameson
raid, and says: "Englishmen can SYM
pathize with the United States, looking
at the scandalous misgovernment in
Cuba. But the analogy collapses when
the attitude Of the United States to it's
raiders is compared with England to
hers. What would Europe have said If
Mr.. Chamberlain had talked to Presi-
q Mr. %oIIy 80
Spain. We trust, however, that Spain
Will show clemency to the filibusters;
for the knowledge that she will not do
so twice may help to put Mr.. Olney on
his guard. and to moderate the enthusi-
asm of the Florida-Cuba Nophiles."
The Times says: Spain is well ad-
vised In yielding to Mr.. Olney's demand
for delay. He has thus averted an ex-
plosion of popular indignation in the
United States which no administration
could have resisted. 1t is extremely
fortunate that the sentences have not
been summsNly executed, so that Spain
is able to avert unappeasible quarrel. A
friendly discussion of the points at is
sue VIII give time for angry passions
on both sides to cool. 1t will not be
denied that Spain has the right on her
side, but to insist upon the letter of her
rights would be in the highest degree i'm
polite, The United States can make
strong case on merely technical
grounds. Spain can hardly seriously
advance the quibble that the privilege
of civil trial Ito American citizens
under the treaty. only belongs to resi-
dents of Cuba While. in face of the
death sentence, it could not be hoped
that Irregularities in the trial would be
overlooked.
If President Cleveland had yielded to
the pressure to acknowledge the insur-
gents as belligerents the Competitors
captives would have been entitled to the
privileges Of prisoners of war. There
fore 1t would be singularly bad policy to
give the United States an irresistible
reason for comforting upon the insur-
gents an advantage hitherto withheld.
Both the Spanish government and press
ought scrupulously to avoid anything
tending to make the continued neutral
ity of the United States impossible.
Captain General Weylers attitude
could be better understood IL he had any
success In dealing with the insurgents,
Whatever the explanation may be, cir
cumstances seem to be rapidly settling
bly, for Spain.
Ihe New York correspondent Of the
Times warns the Madrid press that its
hostile tone to the United States makes II
more difficult for this government to
pursue the friendly course which it still
des1reS to follow and weakens the in
huence Of those still numerous and pow
erful classes who hope to avert collis-
ion between the two countries. In speak,
ing of the Laureda expedition the CORE
spondent says: "These vessels outwIt
both Spanish and American vigilance.
Their voyages are innocent at the start.
but they engage their character after
ward. Considerable American sympathy
goes with them. even when their purpose
is illegal. but 1t is certain this govern
ment does all in its power to prevent
such expeditions. It IS the inability of
Spain to crush the rebellion which Gre
ates anger and the continual reports of
General Weyler's seventies which in
fiuence American feelings"