The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-24

will prevent a war with Spain, through
whose fundamentally the new world was
discovered, by which Americans have
( been most highly benefited"
In the course Of an interview, Senior
, CASTELAR, said further that he was act
ing as a bond Of union between the lib
| erals and conservatives in order to secure
the agreement of all parties in Spain to
ward off or repel any outrage upon the
! national honor. He had secured a good
understanding, he said, between Senior
Canovas de Castillo, the president of the
council, and Senior Sagasta, ex-premier
of the liberal government, to carry out
the necessary measures to satisfy the rea-
sonable demands of outsiders and afford
contcntment to the colonies, while always
defending the national honor.
Senior CASTELAR, considers that if she
were pushed to desperation, Spain could
inllict serious damage upon the United
States in case of war. She can not re-
fuse it while right and honor are on her
side. Nor would Spain be alone. Grave
international complications would en-
sue
Senior CASTELAR, points out that he con-
siders international wars at the present
day a disgrace to modern civilization.
Such war, he thought, would be more
illogical for the United States than for
any other nation. He regarded the
United States as the model for all other
nations in avoiding wars and seeking the
settlement of international disputes by
arbitration.
A dispatch received here from Havana
says that the rebels in Santa Clara
province have been scattered into small
groups and have thus been made power
less to resist the activity of the Spanish
cavalry. The Spanish government is in
formed that the Dutch government has
given orders to its colonists to prevent
the expectation of arms and ammunition
of war for the rebels in the Philippine
Islands.
According to interviews published in
the Madrid newspapers, Senior Canovas
is represented as saying that everything |
is ready to apply reform in the Spanish |
West Indies, but that all will depend upon |
the course of the campaign in Cuba. The |
reforms, he says, will be applied first to
Porto Rico, but nothing has been decided |
upon definite pending the receipt of fur
Their dispatches from Capt. Gen. Wey-
er.
"While | am premier said Senior
Canovas, "Spain will not provoke con-
ict with the United States, but L will
brook no attack on the sovereignty OF
Spain. l say this calmly, but l am re-
solved to abide by it. That is my last
word"
Admiral Jose Maria Bcranger, the min
ster of marine, in response to request
If a representative of the Associated
Press, consented to express his views
egarding the existing relations between
spain and the United States.
81 consider a rupture between Spain
md the United States improbable said
Aumlrul DeTuuSel, UuI Win " va" Va
lverting any chance of conflict the
Spanish men-of-war in Cuban waters have
eceived strict instructions to avoid any
riction with the United States. Never
heless, in order to be prepared for any
emergency, l have ordered the vessels
building abroad and at home for the gov
to be completed rapidly for ser
ice. The marine infantry will be strong
y organized, and all seamen in the ma
inc districts will be enrolled. Should
| war unfortunately arise the merchan-
he marine would fit out numerous prl-
1ateers, manned by picked crews, which
would be capable of inflicting great dam
,ge upon American shipping on the high
;eas and on unfortified American sea-
PORTS"
Admiral Beranger expressed his belief
that the Spanish navy, in the daring OF
ito crews and the strength of the Span
sh warships, was a match for the Amer
leans. He expressed the hope, however,
that Spain would only require her navy |
to defend her colonial possessions from
insurgent criminals without any inter
national conflict,