Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-11-13
AN ATTACK FROM SPAIN.

AN ATTACK FROM SPAIN.
 No Fear at Washington From the Many
 Bumors That Are Out
 NEW YORK, Nov. 18.-A special to The Herald from Washington says that important developments in the Cuban affair may be expected at an early date, but not from this end of the line The administration thoroughly understands the situation in Cuba as it exists today and does not regard the time as ripe for any action by this country.
 Many sensational reports are ahoat about immediate intervention by the United States and extensive military preparations for prospective trouble with Spain. It can be stated authori- tatively that the president regards the military situation in Cuba as far too critical to warrant any action by the United States at this time. It is the firm conviction of the administration of fioials that real crisis is approaching in Cuban affairs and that the only safe course for this country to pursue is to await developments.
 The presence in the city yesterday of Admiral Bunce and his long confer enee with Seoretory Herbert has given rise to many sensational reports about prospective trouble with Spain. One of the alarming reports. told with much detail by pessimistie naval officers, Is that the administration has now become thoroughly convinced that Spain,s ex- tensive naval preparations at home and the recent large augmentation of the military forces in Cuba are ill anticipa- tion of q conflict with the United States, which is about to be provoked by the former for the purpose of pre- serving her dignity ill the loss of Cuba
 The visit of Admiral Bunce here yes terday only pertained to the report of work on the vessels of his squadron and his cruise after the fleet is got together again. The secretary and Admiral Bunoe spent some time together going over the ports of southern waters. The main object of the conference was as to the winter cruise and 8 plan of maneu- vers. The secretary is anxious to avoid the necessity of keeping the squadron in rendezvous at Hampton Roads as he did last year, because of the fear that the Venezuelan and Cuban controversy might become further complicated by the presence of the ships in the Garib- bean sea. The Venezuelan question is now out of the way and unlsss there should be 0 crisis i'll Cuban affairs dur ing the coming month. the squadron will probably make southern cruise, touching at sone of the Venezuelan ports, but carefully avoiding Cuban waters. A definite programme, how ever, will not be outlined until the squadron is brought together in Deeem- Der and Admiral Bunce's future move ments will then depend upon the situa- tion In Cuba.
 One of the incidents which has given rise to the many sensational rumors which the alarmists are circulating is a story which comes from Spain to the ef- feet that Minister Taylor has discovered that the Madrid authorities have been consulting the representatives of the European powers as to their attitude in the event of war between the United States and Spain According to the re- port Minister Taylor found that note was addressed to each of the foreign ministers at Madrid making the inqui- ry, and upon learning of the matter he went to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs and demanded all explanation. His interview, 1t is said, resulted in the notes being recalled. All of this hap pened several weeks ago, and was duly reported to the state department. It is further stated that Mir. Taylor has re- ported the existence of a bad state of feeling toward Americans in various parts of Spain, and the danger of the inability of the Spanish government to prevent outbreaks
 There Is 10 justification for this in- zane war talk at this time. Secretary Herbert is not unmindful of the possi- bilities of the Cuban war, but he has not changed his naval policy by reason of any recent developments. Both the military and naval establishments have been unusually active during the last year in the way of military prepara- tiops and orders have been issued by the secretary of both republics to expedite work on various branches, not because of any certainty of immediate trouble