Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-21
SITUATI0NGRAVE
Conceded by All the Political
Parties in Spain.
Prime Minister Will Shortly Make
Declaration on CIeveiand's Message.
Spanish Newspapers Contain NOTHING 10 Ex.
cite the Populace.

Madrid, Dec. 20.-Senor Canovas del
Castillo, prime minister, received an
official text of President Cleveland's
message to the American Congress and
Will shortly make a declaration on that
part of the document which refers to
the Cuban question.
Conferences were held within the past
few days between the most prominent
men in Spain with the object of seek
ing solution of the problem which
confrcnts the government and which.
it is possible, might cause war with the
United States. 1t is conceded in all
political circles that the situation is
grave. but il is thought that the will
ingness of Spain to grant reforms in
the Spanish West Indies should tend
to avert any display of aggressiveness
on the part of the United States. One
point is settled upon and that Is that
no reforms shall be put into effect in
Cuba until the Instruction shall have
been suppressed. for il is held that to
offer reforms with the Cubans still in
arms would indicate a weakness on the
part of Spain and be also derogatory
to her honor.
Though the popular indignation by
the receipt of the news of the action OF
the committee on foreign relations of
the American Senate shows little sign
eff diminution. there has been no mani
festations against the United States or
its representatives anywhere in Spain.
That such manifestations are expected.
however. is shown by the fact that
police and gendarmes have been de-
tailed To guard the American legation
here and precautions taken elsewhere
To protect various consulates of the
United States should the excited peo-
pie attempt an attack upon them. Or
ders sent to the governors of the sew
eral provinces to prohibit any anti
American demonstration and from dis
patches received today from provincial
CAPITALS it is known that the orders
have been faithfully carried out. Promi-
nent politicians confirm the statements
contained in yesterdays dispatches
that ii is the intention OF the govern
ment, when the opportune moment ar
rives to put into effect in Cuba political
and economical reforms which, it is
said. will be wider in scope than those
approved by the Cortes last year.
The death is announced, today, of
Senior Don Manuel Decerra. formerly
minister of the colonies. He is very
popular and it is said of him he at one
time hindered the sale of Cuba to the
United States.
The Epoca, the organ of Senior Cano-
vas and mnisterialists. in commenting
upon the situation says that Spain
needs at the present moment. much
calm. sound judgment on the part of
the public to avoid greater difficulties
than those the government is now fac
ing. AS long as prudence is compati-
BILE with national honor Spain has moth
inc to do save defend her rights if they
are attacked.
\ recognition of bclligerency is not a
casus belli unless such recognition Is
granted by an interested nation. For
nerly Spain recognized the belligerency
of the Southern states OF America, dc
spite the protest of the federal govern
ment, which did not regard the attitude
of the EuroUean governments in tins
matter as a casus belli. If the act indi-
Gated by the Cameron resolution shall be
consummated Spain will protest. thereby
greatly influencing the relations between
Spaniards must not forget the attitude
OF the powers which after President
CIeveIand's declaration anent the Anglo
Venezuelan dispute. abstiined from any
intervention. Spain ought 10 keep ac-
count of all these precedents.
Prime Minister Canovas holds that UNI
der the framing of Senator cameron
resolution there will be no armed inter
vention OH the part of the United State,
in Cuban territory. Though partisans of
the proposal may obtain the necesSars
votes to override the veto. he believes
President Cleveland will interpose aud
so make the resolution an obligatory act
of Congress. 1t would only erect a
of the independence OF Cuba
and lead to the offer of its good ofiiccs
by the United States to terminate The
war With whatever officiousness the
-nited States may interpose. SPAN viii
retain the right to accept or reject TIE
offer of the American good offices II the
United States recognizes the indepen-
dence of Cuba she will then have to
recognize the laws of neutrality. If she
recognizes the belligcrcncy of the Cubans
Spain will have Il right to stop ana WISH
American vessels at sea.
Senior CanovaS does not THINK the
Cameron resolution need cause serious
1t will only make the reia,
lions between Spain and the United
states more strained but need not cause
A rupture. He will never consent to for-
eign interference in what IS IA question OF
Spain's domestic politics. Spain VIII reg
Mate her acts so nobody will be able 10
saw that she made war upon another
newer. vet she will always repel aRSres-
sion. u
The tone of the newspapers generally
are more moderate. today. than NeSt,"-
populace.