Evening star., 1896-03-02
THE CASE OF SPAIN
Comments on the Barcelona Incident
in Official Circles.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY DENIED
No Notice Will Probably Be Taken
of the Occurrence.
VIEWS AT THE CAPITOL

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The excitement in Spain over the action
OF the United States Senate, leading up to
the insult to the United States consulate at
Barcelona, fails to find a corresponding
reflex in Washington, at least in official
circles, and almost everywhere the feeling
is general that the affair is not one which
must necessarily lead to hostilities 1t ap-
pears that Secretary Olney was officially
advised of the outbreak at Barcelona early
yesterday evening in the following cable
gram from United States Minister Hannis
Taylor at Madrid:
Minister of state has Just called to ex-
press deep regret that mob has insulted
barcelona consulate. breaking windows
and has offered complete reparation. He
informed me that government on it's own
motion has taken every precaution to guard
legation and my residence l have asked
no protection"
SenOr de Lome'x Assurance.
From the terms of the ministers. mes
sage 1t would seem that either himself or
United States Consul Bowen at barcelona
had previously cabled a brief statement of
the attack upon the consulate, but if So
the message could not be obtained here
for publication. However that NAV ne it
Is certain that the Spanish minister here
Sehor de LONE, was early informed of the
trouble at home and lost no time yesterday
IN communicating to Secretary Olney the
Iacts, with an assurance that his govern
ment could be relied upon to do everything
That the prorrieties required to atone for
the insult offered to our consulate OF
course. President Cleveland was at once
advised of the state of affairs in Spain
and later in the evening Secretary Olpey
communicated the facts to a few members
or the cabinet at his own house where
they had gathered for dinner
What is regarded the best indica don
that no serious trouble is expected to fol-
low this Barcelona incident is afforded by
the course of affairs in the NAVY and War
departments, which ran along TODAY in the
usual quiet and formal manner without
the slightest sign of preparati ton of ships
or troops or military stores, wh III might
be expected if it We're felt that an emer-
gency existed.
No Further Omcial Notice.
The prompt action of the Spanish govern
ment in SO completely meeting the de-
mands of outraged International etiquette
is given as the reason for the assumption
by our government of this serene and
forbearing attitude, and in view of the
thoroughness of the apology for an Incl
dent that was clearly without Off .lal sane
ton and is chargeaDle to IRRESPONSIBLE
students on a holiday, it is regarded in
official circles as improbable that or GOV
eminent will take further notice of the
affair beyond instructing Minister Taylor
to acknowledge in suitable terms our ac-
ceptance of the Spanish disclaimer
The Senate Debate.
So far as can be learned the Spanish gov
ernment has not officially taken notice of
the proceedings and debate in the Senate
last week upon the Cuban resolutions, and
it can be stated that our government GER
tainly does not expect to have the subject
matter of discussions In our Congress ,uadc
the basis of remonstrances from any for
eiSn power. Such action would surely be
regarded as an unwarrantable interference
In the internal affairs of our government.
1t is recalled tlat early in our history the
administration in unmistakable terms laid
down the doctrine that it would resent ary
attempt by other nations to question the
right of free debate in our Congress
Our Representation In Spain.
In view Of the intensity of Spanish feel
ing against Americans at present, steps
will promptly be taken to insure the pro-
lection of the governments representatives
iE Spain as well as of all citizens of the
United States who may be temporarily So
journing there. The official representation
of the United States in Spain at present is
as follows:
At Madrid-Mr. Hannis Taylor of Ala
bama. ervoy extraordinary and minister
pie nipotentiary: H. Clay Armstrong of
Alabama, secretary of legation; Capt. J.
Fl. H. Perkins military attache, and Lieut.
Commander r. 2. Rodgers. naval attache
ISnacio F. Hernandez of Spain is vice con-
sui
At Barcelona-Herbert w. Bowen of New
York, consul general; Henry H. Rider of
Spain. deputy consul general.
At CadiZ-ChaS. i. Adams of Mississippi
m nf .f,,jx
consul
At Alicante-Wm. L. Giro of Spain. con-
sul and John l.. Giro of Massachusetts,
vice consul.
At Carthagena-Cirio Molina of Spain.
consul and Alberta Molina of Spain. vice
cCEsul.
AT Corunna-Julio Harmony of New
York, consul; Raimundo Molina of Spain,
vice consul.
At Denia-Andrew F. Fay of New York.
consul. and Ambrose Bordehose Of Spain,
At Malaga-David n. Burke of Vermont.
consul and Thomas r. Geary of Spain,
Wee consul.
There are also number of consular off,
GERS in Cuba, Canary Islands, Philippine
Islands and Porto Rico, as well as MANY
commercial agents scattered throughout
Spain and its dominions.
Mr.. Taylor Careful and Prudent.
Mr.. Hannis Taylor who occupies the re-
sponsible post of United States minister %
Spain, is regarded at the State Department,
careful and prudent officer, who can
be depended upon to conduct the pending
delica te negotiations, involving as they do
a. possible rupture between the two conn
tries, in wise and patriotic manner. He is
specially well fitted for his task because of
his thorough acquaintance with fnterna-
tional law and procedure. He is the au-
thor of a history of the English consti.u-
ton which has been accepted as an su-
thority on that subject, and his extensive
knowledge Of constitutional law was dem
onstrated in an argument he made before
the United States Supreme Court several
years ago. in opposition to the course Of
The government in closing the mails against
the Louisiana lottery. Although the court
decided against him he was generally con-
graduated upon the strength of his aryn
ment. He Is a resident of Alabama. ana
was appointed to his present position in
April, 1888. Senator Morgan, Assistant
Secretary Adee of the State Department
and Mr. Malet-Prevost, secretary of the
Venezuela commission, speak in the nigh
est terms of his character and ability At
the State Department he is described a
"a safe man."
Consul BOwcn> Conservative.
Mr.. Herbert Bowen, the United States can
sui general at Barcelona, is also spoken of
as a safe, conservative man, who is not
apt to lose his head in an emergency like
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