The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-25
stand Taken by the Government in
RepIy to Minister Woodford's Note
Is Backed by the Press.
WILL STRENGTHEN ITS NAyY
PLAN OF AUTONOMY TO BE OFFERED
THE ISLAND SHORTLY.
Prominent Spanish OmciaI Does Not
Believe This Country Can
Take Further Offense.

lAC ISpiy Will ICiIEScHl TIE
deep feeling of the nation. The note dwells
at length on filibustering and ''other ma
terial and moral assistance which has
chiefly contributed to the rise and dura-
tion of the rebellion and which in turn has
damaged American interests" 1t clearly in
Inmates that Spain cannot continue the
''forbearance shown by Senior Canovas del
Castillo and the Duke of Tetuan during the
past two years. and that she now calls on
the American government to fulfill more
strictly in the future the rules and duties
of international law" because "the success
of the new home rule policy and the speedy
pacihcation of Cuba chiefly Depend on the
conduct of the United States" Ell Impair
cial publishes z cabegram from Key West
asserting that there is strong party in
Cuba 'fiercey opposed to Marshal Blanco
and the new regime, and that it is feared
his task will be very difficult.
The instructions given to Marshal Blanco
the new governor general of Cuba, are con-
ciliatory and aim to secure the cooperation
of all parties 1t is even asserted that the
Cuban press will "enjoy more liberty, SUBJ
ject to restrictions on criticisms calculated
to affect military discipline" A vigorous re-
form of administrative abuses and care
full wedding of the ranks of oficialdom are
also foreshadowed in the instructions. No
more officials are to be appointed from
Madrid. The early extension of the fran
chise is promised and it is intimated that
the remaining plans of the government win
be made known progressively when the new
governor general assumes office next
month
cablegram from London says: ''The
Daily Mail says editoriallv This morning.
The United States is morally bound to give
the Sagasta Cabinet a fair trial. The good
intentiors with regard to Cuba are so oh
viously genuine that q declaration of war.
at this Juncture, whichever side it comes
from, Will be universally laid at President
Mchinleys door. The Standards editorial
on the same subject says: Events have
proved that the United States fixed the end
or october as the date for Spain to reply
TO General Woodford's note and the change
OF Ministry has not bettered the situation.
as between Spain and the United States.
II, as we have difficulty to believe Spain
has threatened to search suspected vessels
In Cuban waters in case filibustering con-
tnues, it is quite certain that Senor De
LONE will be told that Spain would do SO
at her own peril.
It is highly improbable that the United
may recognize the Cubans as belli&erents-
II, IL would ,!at then devolve on Spain to decide
y 7. Aas o re.oit 70 make 10 tnat damaging move.
IL appears, therefore, that the grave risk
OF rupture behooves Spain, with cool, dis
passionate circumspection, to ask with itself
what would be the result of hostilities with
America. We are thoroughly alive to the
courage and patriotism of SPAIN But She
would be hopelessly overmatched in such a
contest.
THE American navy, though of modest
dimensions, is of excellent quality and could
De increased indefinitely, whereas there are
good grounds for believing that the Spanish
ships in the West Indies are in most un-
satisfactory condition, and even in the inn
portant matter of speed fall far short OF
inevitably mean the loss of Cuba after q
costly and disastrous struggle. which Span
ism craftsmanship ought to do everything
in its power TO avoid
I'VE believe 1t is the idlest of dreams for
Spain to hope for assistance from any Eu-
ropean power. No doubt the United States
would manage to leave with Spain the re-
sponsibility of declaring war and Europ@
has too many burning questions Of its own
in Europe, Africa and Asia to saddle itself
world"
torially on the gravity of the situation, =
says: Neither Spain nor the United States
is likely to yield, and an accident may pre-
cipitate events"
The Morning Post says: sIf Senior Sa-
gasta consistently maintains his present
attitude and adopts more practical con-
uuCI VI NuDdU dildlES ne VIII secure IOI
Spain the sympathy of all civilized nations.'s
After attacking the United States for per
mitting fiibustering." the Morning Post pre-
diets that the result of Spain's protest will
be another dispatch processing anxiety to
observe the law, rehearsing the difficulties
the American Constitution puts in the way
of its strict maintenance, and. with studied
insolence reproaching the Spanish govern
ment for giving it's well-meaning neighbora
so much trouble
The Daily Telegraph says: 'It will be a
serious business for the United States If 1t
stretches its hands to Cuba or Hawaii The
occupation of Cuba would threaten the In
terests Of European powers and involve the
republic in continental policies and relations
ships. To execute the Monroe doctrine thus
summarily rendered amphibious the United
States would need to double its standing
army and treble its navy"