Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-02
CUBANS TRY TO KEEP CALM
Havanese Undertake to Display Indifference
at the senate's Action.
EFFORT PROVES TOO MUCH FOR THEM
News from Spain Causes n Loyal
Echo in the Island Capital and
Much Energetic Comment
is IndulEcd In.


is IndulEcd In.
DOWNRIGHT 1896, by Press Publishing Company.)
HAVANA, Cuba, March 1.-(New York
World Cablegram-Sp Telegram)-The
New York relatives of General Julio San
gully, who was tried in November before
civil court for treason and sentenced to life
Imprisonment. having informed the State
department at Washington that he was suf-
fering greatly in health from confinement.
Consul General Williams was directed to
ascertain General Sanguily's condition Mr..
Williams went to the Cabanas fortress, ac-
companied by DR.. Rogers, the physician to
the consulate. General Sanguily was visited
and examined. / understand that he has
rheumatic pa!ns. which have existed for a
long period. He Is lame from wounds re-
ceived during the former rebellion and limps
when he walks. I do not know the nature
of the report that will be made, but believe
it will be substantially as above.
Consul General Williams resignation
reached Washington Saturday morning. 1t
is to take effect ON the appointment of his
successor.
There was little excitement yesterday over
the action of the United States senate on
the Cuban question, but today, after the news
came of the popular feeling throughout
Spain, a strong tidal wave of Indignation
swept over official circles and all classes
At the clubs very hard things were said
against the United States. The Union-Con-
stitution, representing the Spanish party,
says: 1.-THE action is an insult to Spain, but
of no benefit to Spain's enemies. Instead 1t
will prove injurious to the American repub-
lie. which is putting itself on a level with
mud"
The Diario de la Marina, the leading paper
representing the reform element, in long
article takes moderate tone, which repre-
sents the intelligent public opinion outside
of those in sympathy with the rebels. The
Diario says, in part, in an article headed
playing with Fire.:
ARGUMENT OF THE MoDERATES.
"Where is the proof that the Cuban rebels
have possession-we will not say that OF all
but even any of the things that the
diplomatists and eminent statesmen OF our
neighbor. the United States, have judged
indispensable to establish belligerent rights?
Where is the proof of facts for the bel
lgerency? There is none. On the contrary
there is evident proof that the people VINO
ar, devastating our land act only to destroy
They are incapable of making stable gov
erLment. They belong to the most ab1ect
and villainous kind of material, who refuse
all battle, who always run before our army
and only exercise themselves in kill
ing peaceable inhabitants and burning
property. These are the kind of
people whom the American senate
wishes to dignity by recognizing. them as
belligerents Can the senate think that
such belligerents are sufficiently honorable
to enter into relations of mutual respect
with the United States of America?
eve commented a few days ago on an
article of a New York newspaper on the
decadency of the senate, comparing 1t with
that body in former periods. we diu nor
then nor do wo today, go as FAR as that
newspaper in accusations against the sena-
tors But the truth is that in former times
the senate was composed OF such men as
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison. John
Quincy Adams. Edward Everett, Daniel Web
ster, Henry Clay and others, who would
not have passed this resolution.
Senior Canovas del Castillo has said that
the recognition of belligerency has only
moral value. We also think that recognition,
if 1t comes-something now doubtful-wili
not mean any material help to the enemies
of Spain: neither will it constitute a casus
belli We could also use in favor Of our
cause all the rights under the law and other
privileges that are now allowed neutral
powers But on the whole, the action OF
the senate, If 1t becomes established, would
simply insult Spain, generous nation that
always has acted toward the United States
and other countries in correct manner.
The American government should not inter
fere in this rebellion, that Will soon be
finished From the right way of looking at the
question, it seems to us that the American
senators involve themselves dangerously in
thus playing with fire, because, without
going outside of our duty, the injury they
cffer us will induce us to get the means
most Just and right to formulate reclama-
tions against the government of the United
States for the damages to ships that may
20 out of port, commanded by Americans.
1t is now time for our own government and
our press to study the matter, remembering
the case of the famous Alabama, precedent
worth remembering. 1t may be that In
this way we can demonstrate to the senator's
of the United States the inconvenience and
danger there is in playing with hre.'
SURPRISES THE OFFICIALS.
officials in the higher ranks are too polite,
too diplomatic to express themselves as they
feel. They are pleased over the seizure OF
the Bermuda, but cannot understand why the
senators can consistently do what they nave
done. In the upper official circles General
Grants quoted state paper, fixing grounds Tor
beIl,gerency and refusing to recognize the
rebels in the former rebellion because they
did not attain conditions such as entitled
them to 1t, was believed to have established
precedent on which the Washington gov
err ment would act. None of the conditions
of that precedent having been demonstrated
to exist in Cuba. the senator's course is
pronounced inconsistent, even undignihed,
Senor Canoyas. the Spanish prime min
lister, employs optimistic words, but 1t is
believed they were for effect. When the ex-
ci.able nature of the people Is remembered,
! u will be seen that they have acted with
much greater calmness than might have
| been anticipated. Tlmd American citizens
| by naturalizatlon-and timd is altogether
| too inexpensive a word TO apply to many
| of them-profess to be apprehensive of per-
sonal danger from the excited Spaniards
! They clamor for men-of-war to be sent Ia
Havana. There Is no need of any such
step Americans are Just as safe here as
| ever. 10 they mind their own afairs and II
| they don't champion the rebellion to people
who think they are being insulted.
A cable from Spain states that the armored
ships, Pelayo, Vizcaya, Lepanto, Alfonzo
XIII and Infanta Maria Teresa are to be
prepared forthwith for service, and construc-
| tion will be hastened on the new ships, Carlos
| v and Cardinal Cisneros. large fleet oi
| the Spanish Transatlantic company's steamers
will be armed, 1t Is stated. Preparations
will be made with great energy but with
| out offensive display. Senior Sagastay. the
| leader OF the liberal party In Spain, says
| that in view Of the attitude Of the people
| In the United States, 1t is necessary FOL
| Spain to proceed with much energy, but al
| the same time pruGently.
Another army corps, numbering 25,OOl
| men, is TO be sent to Cuba.
The Spanish mail steamer which sailed to
L 1..-.