The news & observer., 1896-12-30
How Minister Hannis Taylor
Upheld His Country
sPAIN's PLOT WAS FoILED
Creelman's Startling Story and
He Says it is Straight
HOW THE scHsMgwAs HATCHED
The Duke of Tetuan Addressed Note
TO the Powers Asking Them
Jointly to Admonish the
United States.
United States

Madrid. Dec. 27.-Since my interview
with Prime Minister Canovas / have be-
come convinced that nothing but the
weakness Of Spain prevents her from
answering the action of the United
States Senate committee by a direct
threat of war.
The whole kingdom is in an uproar.
It is the rage of proud but helpless
people. The newspapers are passionate
" calling on Senior Canovas to appeal
to Europe and defy the Americans
Last night Senior Salmaron, leader of
the Republican party, and once Presl-
dent of the Republic, left Madrid to fire
the Catalonian heart against the govern
ment. I saw him while he was taking
leave of his friends. He told me that
this was a critical moment in Spanish
history. Sagasta's lieutenants are aroes-
ing the public mind TO the necessity ot
Immediately granting local self govern
ment to Cuba. in order to avoid war with
the United States.
EXCITEMENT INCREASING.
Every hour the excitement increases
All seem to feel that the existence of the
present Spanish dynasty is involved IN
supreme peril Canoyas is firm as
rock. As he said to me, he is determined
not to Weld an inch to the sentiment of
the civilized world until the Cubans are
beaten to the earth.
But while the death of Maeeo has serv-
ed to deceive the common mind, the
Prime Minister knows that the Cubans
are stronger than ever, and that Wey-
ler's campaign is a failure.
There is no braver nor more patriotic
Spaniard than Canovas, but the tide is
rising at home and abroad. He tried to
negotiate a war loan in France and fail
ed. He succeeded in raising a domestic
war loan of about $64, 100000 in gold
but within three months the money will
be exhausted, and then where can the
government look for funds?
TROUBLES THAT BESET SPANS
GOVERNMENT.
The revolution in the Philippines is
spreading; the war in Cuba becomes
more expensive every month; strong
garrison must be kept in Spain, for the
Carlists are armed to the teeth and thor
oughly organized, and no man can say
when the Spanish Pretender may change
his attitude and give the signal from
Italy for a revolution.
Meanwhile the hatred for Americans
increases and the position of the Amer
lean Minister in Madrid grows more pain
full. The guard of soldiers at his door
protects him from actual violence, but it
l. a
The cry for an appeal to armed Eu-
rope rises clear and distinct above all
other sounds in this mighty conflict.
Cuba must be crushed and the United
States humiliated. So far Canoyas has
resisted the pressure to invite war; but 1t
is hard to say at what moment his strong
heart may fail him. He knows that
Spain is unequal to an armed struggle
with the United States, and he fears to
approach the European powers for as
sistance lest he might offend the AmeFi-
can people and hurry his country intu
instant war.
STORY OF SPANS SUPPRESSED
APPEAL.
The situation is grave beyond the pow
er of words to express. Only a few
months ago Spain prepared an appeal to
Europe against the United States, but
was checked by the sudden and bold ac-
ton of the American Minister Although
Mr.. Taylor and the State Department
have declined to make the facts public,
the whole story has leaked out in diplo-
matte circles, and to-day am in posses
sion OF nearly all the facts.
The surprising thing is that Congress
bo Va
in ignorance of an event so tremendous
that but for an accidental discovery by
Minister Taylor followed by his instant
protest, the United States might have
been forced to face hostile coalition Of
European nations, compared to which
the Holy Alliance, which Monroe defed,
was insignificant
/ give the following facts to the Ameri-
can public upon authority which is beyond
dispute.
Last July the Spanish Court moved to
its Summer quarters at San Sebastian, ac-
companied by the whole diplomatic corps.
A few weeks before this the Spanish
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, the Duke Of
Tetuan, held conferences with the six
European Ambassadors.
OUR MINISTER KEPT IN THE
DARK
lie Informed them that it was the pur-
pose Of the Queen Regent to send an
identical note to the six first class pow
ers, asking them to address note Of
advice and warning to the United States
on the subject of American interference
p, Cuban affairs. Ar. Taylor knew moth
ing about the matter. and the Spanish
AEs.s.4,.. I-.,.,A 1, e.. ..,,,.,,,4 ,yy,1f
His purpose was TO carry out his plan
by stealth, so that President Cleveland
would have no opportunity to ,,rotpst or
use his influence against the proposed
rnreat of united Europe. The joint note
Of the powers was to be a surprise.
] know as a fact that he chief spirit
among those who counselled the Duke Of
Tetuan to procure action by the Euro
pean powers was the Austrian Ambassa-
dor, who, as the diplomatic representa-
tive Of the Queen Regents uncle, Francis
Joseph, has been especially active in pro-
noting a belligerent and defiant attitude