Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
DESIRE TO PRESERVE PEACE
Official Statement of the Position of the
Spanish Government.
PROMPT PUNISHMENT FOR DlSTURBERs
In Case Cuban BciliGcrcncy IL Rccog-
niscd the Good Offices OF the United
states Could Not lie Accepted
wcyler Obcying Orders.

NEW YORK, March 6.-The World will
print tomorrow the following authentic state
ment of the policy of Spain as to Cuba and
congress, from Prime Minister Canovas 1t
is accompanied by personal message to
Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher. from tho
| council Of state, authorizing its publication.
The statement is as follows:
MADRID, March Eve have as yet no
| official notice of the intentions of the Amer
lean government, and cannot therefore, take
| cognizance or proceed against any of the
| proceedings of the senate and the house OF
| representatives. We have no official notice
| of the proceedings and speeches in Washing
| ton the past week. Neither have we sounded
| the European powers in regard to their in
tentions or for support in any form. All we
have done is to show to the American gov
ernment and to Minister Taylor that we have
| cndeavor.d to enforce respect for the Amer
| lean legation and consuates, repressng SO
sternly the disturbances that we have or
| dered the Madrid, Granada. Barcelona and
Valencia universities closed and we will
close all universities, schools and establish
ments whose students dare to make demon
strations hostile to the United States. We
will send to prMon and prompt trial all the
authors and promoters of such disturbances.
We believe they are prompted by the ad-
vanced republicans. Nothing will be omitted
on our side to show our desire to preserve
| cordial relations with America. / am con-
vinced that we possess sufficient means to
quell any hostile demonstrations The gov
ornment of Spain regrets, and has made all
the amends possible, for the manifestation
already mede of the indignation which the
speeches at Washington naturally excited
among the ever loyal people of Spain.
SITUATION is DELICATE.
1.-The situation now is one of extreme deli
cacy Indeed, / cannot define how far 1t
is possible for the government of Spain to
permit amiable and careful mediation of
a foreign power, however honorable and
disinterested it may be, without mourning
the grave risk of being accused of sub
mitting to outside dictation in the midst
of the civil war. The United States is a
great power and until they recognize the
object and encourage the aims of the insur-
rectionists in Cuba. they are friendly to
Spain. After the recognition Of the bell
iigerents in Cuba by the United States, 1t
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 may be found by the president to
| avoid alternating the friendly relations with
the United States which Spain has shown
this week that she prizes highly. l am
fully alive to the Significance and the pos
sible consequences of the vote OF the United
States congress to the rebels as well as to
Spain in her relations with the United
States and especially in connection with
| the right of search upon the high seas and
in the matter of privateers and filibustering
expeditions.
1.-The only new and seemingly warlike
preparations yet made by Spain are made
simply with view of equipping a fleet Of
war ships and transatlantic steamers to
chase 1libusters and to guard the coasts
of Cuba. That Is the sole object in view.
General Weyler having said he had enough
troops, only the usual reliefs will be sent
to Cuba until autumn, and no naval DEM
onstration Is contemplated
THE elections will not interfere with
the action of the government, as 1t intends
to conduct 1t In a tolerant spirit for all
parties fair representation being arranged
for even the West Indian constituencies.
Besides, in every internal and international
question, the Spaniards have always shown
a patriotic spirit.
DO WEYLER AN INJUSTICE.
"The misapprehension concerning General
Weyler's character and methods originated
in a misstatement of facts in his career
and of 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 COM
mander. Before he left for Cuba the last
time, | saw and spoke to him and approved
his views. Consequently he has simply
acted in harmony with the requirements
not only set at defiance the rules of civil
lied warfare, but have violated the pro-
visions of the treaty Of 1895 between Spain
and the United States, and Of the protocol
of 1877, respecting the lives and the prop
erty of all real and alleged American cit-
Zens in Cuba. / am determined to carry
out the administrative political reforms al
ready voted by the Cortes as soon as the
pacification Of the island permits, and even
such economical tariff reforms as may be
consistent with the interests of both tho
colony and the mother country.
But 1t is impossible to attempt reforms
during civil war or under any foreign pres
sure In the present condition of the. island.
When Marshal Campos was sent to Cuba as
governor general the government would GER
tainly have allowed him to institute the re-
forms II he had deemed them advisable;
but he soon discovered that 1t was impossible
to do so. We cannot admit that the slight
est ground exists for the recognition Of the
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents whose
so-caled president, the marquis OF Santa
Lucia, and the members Of his executive
council nomads, like the rebel bands,
ever on the move. For instance, they were
nearly surprised and captured this week by
a Spanish column in the province of Las
Villas CANOVAS DEL CASTILLO."
Great Array of Legal Talent.
LONDON March G.-The Chronicle an
nouncaa that Inrd Salisbury onnolntad