The San Francisco call., 1896-12-20
But They May Fe Assured That
Cleveland Will Net Recog-
nize the Cubans.
ICRETARY OLNEY INTIMATES
A PROBABLE VETO.
Slys That the Power of According
Belligerent Rights Rests Solely
With the Chief Executive.

MADRID, SPAIN, Dec. 19.-The excite
ment in this city and elsewhere in Spain
caused by the receipt of the news of the
action of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee OF the American Senate. in deciding
to report in favor of the independence ol
Cuba, is intense. A wave of popular in
dignation has swept over the whole coun.
try and bitter feeling against TIE United
States has been greatly intensified.
There is no denying the fact that popu.
lar feeling is in favor of boldly defyine
the United States and notifying the
American Government that Cuba will be
retained by Spain if it takes her last dol.
lar and last man to uphold her sover-
elgnty. In the cafes and railway public
laces the situation is excitedly discussed,
and everywhere the determination is ex-
pressed to uphold the Government to the
last extremity in maintaining its rights.
Dispatches from other cities show the
prevalence of feverish feeling among the
populace and it is the consensus of opinion
that it would take very little to provoke
trouble against the Government should it
show any signs OF weakening.
The Government itself, while deprecat
ing the action of the committee, main
tains dIgnified attitude, and though
some uneasiness was al first expressed,
this has been allayed by the receipts OF
.dispatches containing Secretary of State
Otney's statement that no matter what
action Congress may take on the Cameron
resolution, the recognition of the inde-
pen ence of Cuba rests entirely with the
executive.
1t is stated that Spain has notified the
American Government that it is willing to
go far TO meet the view of the United
States regarding administrative reforms in
the Spanish West Indies. II will, it is
said, concede at an early date autonomy
TO Puerto Rico on lines laid down last
year. When the situation warrants such
action reforms will be inaugurated there
that will prove satisfactory to all con-
.cerned.
These will INCLUDE administrative au-
tonomy, such measures of political and
economical autonomy as will be COM
patible with the interests of the crown,
and change in the tariff laws that will
conduce to the extension of the trade of
the islan5 with the United States and to
commercial relations.
OF course, the Government will not for a
moment consider any question inyolv-
ing the abandon ment of the island, and it
can be emphatically stated that it would
not dare TO do so. The temper of the peo-
pie is fairly aroused and any Government,
conservative or liberal, would be signing
its own death-warrant should it even sug-
gest the end ng of Spanish rule in Cuba.
Efforts have been made to obtain
authoritative statements from some of
the Ministers as to the situation, but they
decline at present to express any views on
the subject. 1t can be stated, however
that in political circles no idea of war
growing out of the Cuban resolution is
entertained, and it is believed that the
professions of friendship made by Presi-
dent Cleveland and Mr.. Olney, through
Hannis Taylor, the American Minister
here, are thoroughly satisfactory.
An important factor is the Corte S, which
at present is not in session. 1t is thought
that body might be compelled by popular
clamor we're it in session, to take some
action that would result in the overthrow
of the Government; but as it does not
meet for several months all danger from
that source is eliminated. Even should
the Government resign and be succeeded
bv a liberal Cabinet there could be no
change in the Spanish attitude toward
Cuba, for upon the least sign OF its giving
wav TO the dictation of the United States
me popuIace and the army would upset it.
Senor Canoyas del Castillo. the Prime
Minister, has always believed that the
Cuban matter would not cause war with
tse United States, and he also believes
that the ranting of American and Span
h Jfnqoes will fall on deaf ears when the
comnponsense of the people OF both coun-
tries has had time to reassert itself. But
he will maintain all the prerogauves OF
sovereignty in Cuba and will not yield to
threats no matter whence the sour,e.
Every precaution has been taken to
Guard against any outbreak OF the people,
and il is hoped tha: the excitement and
ind.gnation that have been aroused will
subside without it being necessary TO call
unon the military to suppress disorders.
The students at the universities are being
closely watched, and any attempt at a
demonstration on their part Will be Sc
vereiy repressed.
All the newspapers here express the
most intense indignation because OF the
unwarranted interference of the. United
States with the rights of Spain. Some OF
them declare that no Government would
dare to base settlement of the Cuban
question on, granting autonomy to the
island in view of the strong popular oppo-
sition to the granting of any REFORMS
while the rebellion is in progress.
They. therefore, contend that the Gov
ernment will be compelled to maintain .