Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-11


"Senor Canovas del Castillo has pub
licly stated that America has not pro-
tested against Srain's right to punish
fiilibusters, but only again the summary
trial American citizens are entitled
to be tried in the civil courts under the
treaties of 1895 and 1877. The Spanish
government is willing TO consider the
demand. and has cabled to Captain Gen
eral Weyler to delay the executions
pending the result OF negotiations which
are actively proceeding between Wash
ington and Madrid to define the inter-
probation of the aforesaid treaties.
"Senor Canovas made long speech at
a meeting of Conservative senators and
deputies on Saturday evening, in which
he declared that this was
A NATIONAL QUESTION
which must some cay be settled with
the assistance of all the parties. He de-
clared that it was impossible to intro
duce reforms into Cuba before the situa-
ton there should resume its normal
condition. He confessed his belief that
war alone would fail to terminate the
insurrection, but he believed that the
insurgents would become discouraged
and that racial hatred would contrib
ute largely to cause a cessation OF hos
tiities. If, however, the premier went
on. public opinion in Spain should pro-
nounce for a more radical and quicker
introduction of colonial home rule, the
conservative government and party
would
WILLINGLY RESIGN
the direction of affairs to the hands Of
those consenting TO assume such re-
sponsibility.
THE Epoca (the government organ)
in guarded language, recommends pru-
dence and deprecates demonstrations.
1t clearly intimates that the govern
ment will make another effort TO concil-
late President Cleveland by ordering
General Weyler to send all the papers
caring upon the case here for the SUI
preme court to pronounce upon. The
| execution OF the sentences would thus
be virtually shelved.
The rest of the Madrid press are
unanimous in the opinion that America
has taken an ungenerous and unjusti-
/ fable advantage of Spain's difficulties.
THE DAILY NEWS COMMENTS.
! London, May 10.-The Daily News
will say in an editorial tomorrow, re-
garding the cases of the Competitor cap
tives at Havana:
THE serious news from Cuba places
the Spanish government between two
fires. 1t is difficult to see how either
side can recede. If the Spanish gov
ernment sacrifices General Weyler, it
will probably have to be prepared to
sacrifice its own life. Public opinion
in Madrid is hardly we'll informed
enough to profit by the Virginius case
in 1878. The Spaniards ought to dis
trust their own natural ferocity in
cases of this sort. The butchery of the.
men of the Virginius, which many Of
them applauded at the time as fine
and spirited act, was received with
horror and eXecration throughout the
world"
THE STANDARD.
The Standard has an editorial COM
menting upon the sentences to death of
| the men captured on the Competitor,
which says:
"The situation is undoubtedly grave,
| but the dispute involves a direct issue
! of fact, or, at the utmost, conflicting
/ Interpretation of international law,
| which may furnish a means Of escape
| from a position Of extreme difficulty.
! The opinion seems to prevail that the
| sentence of the British subject (William
! Gildea) will be commuted in recogni-
! tiOn of Great Britains friendly atti-
| tude. But this would be impossible, as
mercy in one instance would render a
! denial in the others more invidious.
! The position of the Spanish government
| must attract general sympathy. It has
| a choice of evils. but it cannot be doubt
| ed which it will choose, provided it is
! possible to avoid hostilities consistent
ly with the Spanish conception of ma
tional dignity, and if the Washington
| government is in earnest. which is al
ways uncertain on the eve of a presiden-
| tial election"
THE CHRONICLE.
| The Chronicle says editorially:
The storm cloud which has been so
long hanging over the Spanish domin-
ion in Cuba is breaking at last The
! significant words of Mr.. Joseph Pulit-
Ger will have prepared our readers for
the alarming news. The real cause of
the dispute lies deeper than the ques-
tion Immediately at issue. Free Cuba
! has long been the eager desire of a
| large body of American opinion The
| present incident may or may not be
| tided over; but il seems to be the be-
! ginning of the end. President Cleve-
alnd has an admirable opportunity. We
will not regret if he has used it to the
| fullest. Nothing can so foFcibly strike
the imagination Of the electoral as the
emancipation of Cuba. There cannot
be any doubt as to the merits of the
case. We assume that there are faults
on both sides, but it is obvious to all
that Spanish rule in Cuba is inapt and
abomniable It's rulers have learned
nothing from progress and less than
nothing from disaster. Their cup is full
and unless some marvel in
! tervenes TO save them again
! from their own folly. it seems
inevitable that the end will come soon. .
After picturing the probable benefits
of a free Cuban republic. which might
| even, IL lHIHhS' cFohtudilN dsh W pS III
cOrporated into the United States in or
der to warn off English competition, the
Chronicle concludes its article as fol-
lows:
IF Washington presses the question
Spain is powerless. War is an ugly
! thing at best, and we should be the last
to invoke it. But an American ulti-
:.