New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-20
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN SPAIN.
THE ACTION OF THE SENATE COM
MITTEE INFLAMES THE POPULACE.
POPULAR FEELING FAVOR DEFYING
UNITED sTATEs-TiIE GOVERNMENT. HOW
EVER. TRUSTS IN THE GOOD OF
FICEs OF PRESIDENT CIEVE-
LAND AND SECRE-

TARY oLNEy.
Madrid Dec. l9.-The excitement in this city
and elsewhere in Spain caused by the receipt
Of the news of the action of :he Foreign Rela-
tions Committee Of the American Senate In de-
Gliding to report in favor of the independence Of
Cuba was intense. wave of popular indisna-
ton has swept over the whole country and the
bitter feeling against the United States has been
greatly intensified. There is no denying the fact
that popular feeling is IN favor of boldly defy
ing the United States and informing the Ameri-
can Government that Cuba will be retained by
Spain If it takes her last dollar and last man
to uphold her sovereignty.
In the cafes and every public place the situa-
ton is excitedy discussed. ord everywhere the
determination is expressed TO uphold the Gov
ernment to the last extremity in maintaining its
rights Dispatches from other cities show the
prevalence Of a feversh feeling among the
populace and it is the consensus OF opinion that
it would take very little to so infiame the peo-
pie as to provoke much trouble for the Gov
ernment should it show any sign OF weakening
before the unwarranted pretensions of the
United States.
The Government itself while deprecating the
action of the committee. maintains dgnihed at
titude ard though some uneasiness was al ilis'
expressed this has been allayed by the receipt
Of DISPATCHES containing Secretary Olney state
ment to the effect that no matter what actioA
the Congress inay take on the Cameron reso!u-
ton the recognition of the independence Of Cuba
rests entirely with the American Executive. Inc
attitude of President Cleveland and Mr.. Olney
has heretofore met with the high approval OF
the Government, and the opinion is freely e\-
pressed in Government circles that there is
scarcely a probability that there will be any
change in their attitude on the Cuban question
1t is said on good authority that Spain has IN
formed the American Government that II Is Will
ing TO go far in order to meet the views oi 'he
United States regarding administrative REFORMS
in the Spanish West Indies. 1t will. it is SAID,
concede at an early date autonomy TO Porto RICO
on the lines laid down In the bill adopted by the
Cortes last year. When the situation in Cuba
warrants such action. reforms Will be begun there
that will prove satisfactory TO all concerned
These will include administrative autonomy
such measure of political and economical auton-
omy will be compatible with the interests OF
the Crown and a change in the tariff laws that
will conduce to the extension Of the trade OF 'he
island with the United States and to closer COM
mercial relations.
OF course. the Governmcn; will not for mo-
mcnt consider any question involving the ahan-
.ionment Of the island, and it can be cmIhati-
cally said that 1t would not dare 10 DO SO Inc
temper Of the people is fairly aroused ana any
Government, Conservative or Liberal. would ID"
signing its own death warrant should IL ever
suggest the ending Of the Spanish rule IN Ouoa'
Efforts have been made to obtain authoritative"
statements from some Of the Ministers as 10 Inc
situation, but they decline at present to eN-
press any views on the subject. 1t can be sau'
however that in Governmental circles no ldea
of war growing out OF the Cuban resolution IS
entertained. and II Is believed that the proies-
s,ons Of friendship made by President Cleveland
and Mr. Oney through Hannis Taylor. the
American Minister here. thoroughly sincere.
An important factor In the situation Is the
Cortes. which at present is not in session II IS
thought that that body Nigh; be compelled by
popular clamor. were it in session. to take some
action that would result in the overthrow OF the
Government but as il does not meet for several
months all danger from that source IS elimi-
mated Even should the Government resign ana
be succeeded by Liberal Cabinet. there c"ud
be no change in the Spanish attitude 'o""u
Cuba for upon the least sign OF its giving way
10 the dictation Of the United States, the popu-
lace and the army would upset it,
Senior Canovas del Castillo the Prime Min
is,er has alwavs believed that the Cuban mat
ter would not cause war with the unlted states
and he also believes that the rantinS oi Amerl-
can and Spanish 1ingoes VIII IAN oi u'"i 9
when the common-sense of the people Of both
countries has had time to reasscrt itself hut
he will maintain all the prerogatives of SOW
ercignty in Cuba, and will not yield TO threats
no matter whence their source.
Every precaution has been taken to guard
apainst anv outbreak by the people. and it is
hoped that the exctment and Indignation thdt
have been aroused Will subsde without II h"lhs
necessary to call upon the military TO suppress
no ST
are a fruitful source Of disturbance. are being
closely watched and any attempt AT demon
stration on their part will he severely put GOWN
All the newspapers here express the most m
tense INDIGNATION. Some Of them declare that
no Government would dare To base setteiheht
of the Cuban question on granting auton"'nS
to ,he island In view Of the strong popular "r-
position to the granting OF any REFORMS Ni',le
the rebellion Is in progress ih, ,,d
contend that the Government VIII be conlp'len
IN maintain determined attitude III ih'' "i
the provocation from the United states. Nctri,
theless. they add. the Government IS resoin@dd r,ed
to repress hostile agitation aealls' ''e O''
states or its representatives in Spain.
The "IfnparciaT' accuses the 'oNrrni"en' -
,ock ~ foresight and declares that Spain Is de-
termned to make every sacrihce h"WrNet
great to maintain her sovereignty III ,ne ,oi W.
indies but she will not tolerate acts caicuia'eu
TO bring her into disrepute. s. ,or,h.a
the committed action as untimey ana lhsoleht.
The "I.bera' advi ises the GoVerhheh. ~ - 80 us
expedition in recovering al Washns.on ,, Wv, &, ~
,Cst in Cuba inasmuch as SPANS future ~ al
stake. j., ,.o.,uio had a
prime Minister CanOva5 del Castliio hau VI
,or =, con ference to-day with the Duke OF Tetuah,
Whistler OF Foreign Affairs and Admirai o,
"a rger Minister OF Marine The subject Oh tnen
deIiberations has not been divuleed oiliciauS'
hnt n is rumored that they considered the queS'
tion of shortly introducing political ara ADMIN m
istratiye reforms in Cuba and Porto Rico 10
grant such reforms al present wo.'u Pro'""'S
sas,,t I'm a reconstruction Of the Cabinet
CONFESSED MURDERER RELEASED.