The Portland daily press., 1896-12-21
PORTLAND. MORNING.

tho populace. 1t is the consensus oil
opinion that 1t would take very little to
SO lndame the people as to provoke much
trouble for the government should 1t
show any sign OF wee kening before the
uawarranted preteDsions Of the United
States. The government itself, while de-
precating the action of the COMMITTEES,
| maintains dignified attitude.
| Though some uneasineaS was at 1rst
expressed this was delayed by the dis
patches containing Secretary Olney r.
statement to the effect that, no matter
what action Congress may take on tho
Camoneron resolution, the recognition of
the independence of Cuba rests entirely
with the American executive. The atti-
tude of President Cleveland and Mr..
Olney has heretofore meu with the high
approval of the government and the opin-
ion is freely expressed in government cir
cles that there is scarcely any proba hility
there will he any change in their attitude
on the subject.
SPAIN WOULD GO FAR.
1t is stated on good authority that
Spain has notified the American govern
ment it is willing to go far III order to
meet the views of the United States re-
garding administrative reforms In the
Spanish West Indies. 1t will, 1t is said,
concede at an early date, autom ny to
Puerto Kico on the lines laid down in
the bill adopted by the Cortes last year.
When the situation in Cuba warrants
such action, reforms will be inaugurated
there that will prove satisfactory to all
concerned. These will include admins
tratiye autonom, such measure of pollti-
cal and economical autonomy as will be
comuatable with the interests Of the
crown and change in. the tariff laws
that will conduce to the extension of
trade In the island with the United
States, and to closer commercial rela-
tions.
The government will not for moment
abandon aGent of the island and 1t can be
emphatically stated it would not dare to
do So The temper Of the people is fair
ly aroused and any government, conserva-
tive or liberal, would be signing it's
own death warrant should it ever suR-
gest the ending Of Spanish rule in Cuba.
Efforts have been made to obtain au-
thoritative statements from the minis
ters as to the situation, but they decline
to express any views on the subject. 1t
can he stated that in government circles
no idea of war growing out OF the
Cuban resolutions Ia entertained. 1t is
believed that the professions OF friend
ship made BY President Cleveland and
MIR. Olney through the American minis
ter here, are thoroughly sincere.
1t is thought that the Cores might be
compelled by popular clamor, were it In
session. to take some action that would
result in the, overthrow of the govern
ment, but as it doesEnot meet for several
months, all danger from that source is
eliminated. Even should the governments
resign and be succeeded by a liberal
+hov a hn r1n nh ~
Spain's attitude toward Cuba, for upon
the least sign of its giving way to the
dictation of the United States, she popu-
lace and army would upset it.
STERN MEASU RES OF REPRESSION
Every precaution has been taken to
guard against any outbreak BY the peo-
pie. 1t is hoped that the exoitement and
Indignation that have been aroused will
subside without it being necessary to call
on the militia to suppress disorders.
The students of the universities, who are
a fruitful source of disturbance, are be-
ing closely watched and any attem pit at
demonstration on their part Will be &C.
verely repressed.
All the newspapers here express the
most intense Indignation because of the
unwarranted interference OF the United
States with the rights of Spain. They de.
clare that no government would dare to
base the settlements of the Cuban ques-
tion on the granting of autonomy to tho
island in view Of the strong popular op-
position 20 the granting of any reforms
while the rebellion is in progress. They
cor tend the government will be COM
peIled to maintain determined attitude
in the face Of pro vocation from the Unit
ed States. Nevertheless they add the
governments Ii resolved to rspress any
hostile agitation against the United
States or its representatives in Spain.