The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-07
THE POLICY Of SPAIN
Authentic Statement From the
Prime Minister.
CANOVAS DEL CASTILLO
Will Preserve Cordial Relations
With America.
THE SITUATION is DELICATE
After the Recognition of the Cubans
Spain Would Not Permit Any Inter-
ference by the United
States.

States.
New York, March 6.-The World viii
print the following authentic state
ment of the policy Of Spain as to Cuba
and Congress from Prime Minister
Canovas. 1t is accompanied by a per-
sonal message to Joseph Pulitzer from
tfT PRESIDENT Of the Council Of. State
at Madrid authorizing its publication.
The statement is as follows:
Madrid, March Give have as yet
no official notification of the intentions
of the American government and can
not therefore take cognfzance of, or
protest by note against any of the pro-
ceedings of the Senate or House Of
Representatives of the United States.
We have taken no official notice what
ever of the proceedings and speeches
in Washington during the past week
Nor have we sounded the European
powers or courts regarding their sup
port in any form. I'll we have done is
to show to the American government
and to Minister Taylor that we have
endeayored to enforce respect of the
American Legations and Consulates,
repressing so sternly the disturbances
that we have ordered the Madrid,
Granada, Barcelona and Valencia uni
versities closed and we will close all
universities, schools and establish
ments whose students dare to make
demonstrations hostile to the United
States, We viii send to prison and
prompt trial all the authors and pro-
moters of such disturbances. We be
lieYe they are prompted by the adj
yanced republicans.
Nothing will be omitted on our side
10 show our desire to preserve cordial
relations with America. / am con-
vinced that we possess sufficient means
10 quell any hostile demonstrations.
The government of Spain regrets and
has made all the amends possible for
the manifestation already made of the
Indignation which the speeches at
Washington +naturally excited among
the ever loyal people of Spain.
The situation now is one Of extreme
delicacy Indeed i cannot define how
far it is possible for the government
Of Spain TO permit amicable and care
ful mediation OF foreign power,
however honorable and disinterested
it may be, without incurring the grave
risk of being accused Of submitting
TO outside interference pressure and
dictation ia the midst Of a civil war.
The United States are a great power
and until they recognize the object and
encourage the aims of the insurrec-
tionists in Cuba they are friendly to
Spain After the recognition of the
belligerents i'm Cuba, by the United
States, it would be impossible for the
government Of Spain to accept the
good offices Of President Cleveland or
to permit any interference whatever.
Nevertheless / still hope some means
will be found by the President to avoid
alternating the friendly relations with
the United States which Spain has
shown this week that she prizes high
ly.
/ am fully alive to the significance
and the possible consequences of the
vote OF the United States Congress to
the rebels as we'll as to Spain in her
relation with the United States, espe-
eially in connection with the right of
search on he high seas and in the mat
ter of priyateers and filibustering eX
petitions.
The only new and seemingly warlike
preparations yet made by Spain are
made simply with q view to equipping
q feet of warships and transatlantic
steamers to chase filibusterers and TO
guard the coasts Of Cuba. That is the
sole object in view. Gen. Weyler hay-
ing said that he has had enough troops,
only the usual reliefs will be sent to
Cuba until autumn, and no naval de-
monstration is contemplated.
The elections will not interfere with
the action of the government as it i'm
tends to conduct them in tolerant
spirit for all parties, fair representa-
tion being arranged for even the West
Indian constituencies. Besides, in
every imperial and international ques-
ton the Spaniards have always shown
a patriotic spirit. There is misap
prehension concerning General Wey-
ler's character and methods as a sol
der. or his career and his assignments
and Instructions. Both in Cuba twenty
years ago, and in the PHILIPPINE Islands
since then, Weyler has only carried out
the orders of his chiefs.
BEFORE ne leIb CuDd, ble laSb btIne i
saw and spoke to him and approved his |
views. Consequently, he has simply |
acted in harmony with requirements |
of this war in which the insurgents |
have not only set at defiance the rules |
of civilized warfare, but have violated
the provisions Of the treaty Of 1895 be- |
tween SPAN and the United States, and |
of the protocol Of 1877, respecting the |
Gxrac u4aI nf snII ud l. 4
legged American citizens in Cuba.
am determined to carry out the adj |
ministration political reforms already |