The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-14
WARM UNDER The COLLAR.
SPAIN EXERCISED OVER UNCLE
SANS STAND IN THE COM
PETITOR CASE.
GEN. WEYLER THREATENS 70 RESIGN
If Spanish Government Interferes With
the Death Sentence-Premier Costil-
10 Says He Is Willing to Look
Into the Case


of growing popular excitement in Spain
over the attitude of the United States
towards the question of filibusters cap
tured ON board the Competitor. The
riots and outbreaks of popular hatred
towards the United States at the time
of the passage through congress of the
resolution favoring the recognition of
the Cubans as belligerents have not been
forgotten and the sentiment which
caused them have been but smoldering.
The Spanish government has, on all
possible occasions, expressed its appre-
citation of and satisfaction with the eff
forts made by the United States gov
eminent to prevent, as far as it lay in
it's power, the giving of unlawful aid to
the Cuban insurgents by the citizens of
the United States; but the widespread
sympathy felt for the insurgents in the
United States is well recognized by the
Spanish people and the news of the ex-
petitions from the United States land
ing from time to time in Cuba creates
intense irritation. The news of the
capture of the men on the Competitor
was received with great satisfaction and
rejoicing. 1t was felt to be the first
opportunity that had been offered to
make an example of those engaged in
feeding the insurgents. The popular de-
mand for their execution is general and
is likely to become vociferous. Little
account is taken of the refined questions
of treaty Interpretation involved i'll the
protest of the United States government
against the execution of the sentences
The action of the United States is re-
garded rather as an expression of SYM
pathy with the instruction and there
will be a strong popular clamor to dis
regard it.
The public feeling on the subject is
fostered by the tenor of the advices from
Havana. Dispatches from there affirm
Capt. Gen. Weyler is greatly irritated
at the attitude of the United States on
the question of sentence. 1t is asserted
that if the Spanish adopt a contrary
view, owing to the representations made
by the United States government, Wey-
Ter will resign his post. Allegations
are made in the Havana dispatches of
very extraordinary conduct on the part
of Consul General Williams. If these
are not true, they are nevertheless GER
tain to add fuel to the fire of popular in
dignatiOn in Spain.
Mr.. Williams attitude, it is asserted,
is the subject of general censure in Ha-
vana and is said to be very provocative.
The story goes on to relate that the
United States consul general shows him.
self everywhere in public places in Ha-
vana using irritating and menacing Ian
guage regarding the probable action of
the United States towards the authori-
ties in case the sentences upon the Com
The impartiale, commenting upon the
attitude of the United States, says that
a man accused of acts of piracy admit
ted before court martial in Havana
that the American police made point
of vanishing when tiibustering eXpedi-
tons for Cuba were about to leave Key
West.
Ell Liberal declares the Spanish gov
eminent ought to have sent Il squadron
to Cuba in addition to arming the trans
Atlantic steamboats, at its disposal for
that service. This newspaper asserts
that the steamer Bermuda, belonging to
the insurgent committee, embarked on
the Florida coast 10000 rifles, six pieces
of artillery, three Mitraileuse, a guam
tity of munitions of war and 3OO men,
the majority of whom were gunners of
the United States militia, for the supply
of insurgent forces in Cuba. This en-
barkation took place, Ell Liberal says,
in spite of protests in the Spanish con-
sulate at Jacksonville against allowing
it and the Bermuda left without diff
Guilty or obstruction and according to
kilograms received from Capt. Gen.
Weyler, the expedition has already
landed. This report has created sen
sation in Madrid and astonishment is
expressed by Ell Liberal at the conduct
of the United States in the matter.
= Of
and deputies on Saturday evening, the
premier, Senior Canovas del Castillo, de-
clared that it would be impossible to in
troduce reforms for Cuba before the situa'
ton there had become normal again. lie
admitted that the Spanish arms alone
would fail to terminate the war, but he
said he believed that the Encouragement
of the insurgents and the prevalence OF
racial hatred among them would con
tribute largely to the cessation of hostili'
ties.
All the comments of the press mani
fest the deep impression made upon the
public mind by the action of the United
States toward the sentencing of the Com
petitOr captives.
A later dispatch from Havana con,
firms the report that Capt. Gen. Weyler
has threatened to resign his post unless
the sentences are executed.
Senior Canovas del Castillo, the pre-,
mier, being asked for an expression OF
his opinion regarding the matter, said:
"rhe affair will be settled in accord,
ance with the law and existing treaties.
The Heraldo compares the offensive
conduct of the United States consul gen
eral at Havana with that of the British
consul, who made friendly representa-
tions in favor of pardoning the prison
erS.
Public opinion, says the Heraldo, We
hemently opposes American Interior
ence.
This paper maintains that thu. rebels
in Cuba are constantly receiving. as
sistance from the United States, without
which the rebellion would have been
suppressed long ago. Both the public
and press express indignation over the
landing of the Bermuda expedition,
which has been announced in mghly
sensational manner by the newspapers
here.
The Epoca, which is the ministerial
organ. discusses the question III a far
more conservative way and less emblt-
tered manner than the other newspapers.
1t declares that Americas demands ap,
ply exclusively to the form of trial and
not to the penalty. 1t believes that the
Spanish government will decide that the
matter shall be submitted to the supreme
military and naval court,