Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-03
STAINS DUPllCI1Y
Appeals to European Powers. But Fails to Receive Assistance From Any
 of Them.


 Madrid. Spain, Dec. 31.-(special Cable Dispatch to the world.)-Here are the exact facts concerning what has passed between hte Madrid government and the other European governments in regard to Cuba:
 In order not to give offense to the United States government or arouse its suspicion the Spanish government care-s fully avoided consulting the European governments officially in any shape that would have to appear in an official blue book. Nevertheless the Spanish repre- sentatiyes at the various European courts and the Duke of Tetuan (the minister for foreign affairs), in conversation with the foreign repreSentativesahere have repeat- edly sounded the dispositions and opin- ions of the European courts at every inn portant stage of the Cuban insurrectlon affecting the relations between Spain and the United States.
 The Duke of Tetuan and Premier Can ovas thus derived information which con- vinced them that not even in the event of war with America could they expect more. than moderate platonic sympathy from any European power; certainly no col- lective mediation.
 No pressure of European governments on Washington could be attempted. In the first place all the powers had ascer- tained that none would be tolerated even by President Cleveland, and, in the sec ond place, the European powers have too many interests that clash on more inn portant issues elsewhere to allow them to risk giving offense to the United States.
 When the proposition of sending memorandum to the European powers was mooted last summer it was aban- doned. Immediately after United States Minister Taylor, on Aug. 12, at San &c., bastian, pointed out to the Duke of Te- tuan the lamentable effect 1t would have on the relations between Spain and the United States the Spanish government persisted in sending out memoran- dunn, of which draft had been read to several foreign ambassadors at the court of Madrid and rather coldly received by them.
 On that occasion and on several other occasions, previously and subsequently,, the Madrid government was strongly ad- yised, though quite unofficially, by the other European governments and their ambassa dors, not only to come to an un- derstanding with the United States, but also to make the best and the quickest terms possible with the Cubans by grant ing them as large and liberal measures of elf-government as would be compatible with the preservation of Spanish rule and sovereignty in both the West Indian islands.
 It is absolutely false that Germany has offered to Spain help or mediation up to the present time. though German diplo- macy has coquetted with Premier Can ovas and the Duke of Tetuan to obtain commercial conventions favorable to German imports into Spain and her col onies, especially the Philippine Islands.
 After President Cleveland sent his message to congress, and after the recent demonstration of the American senate, the European powers and their repre- sentatives again repeated the advice to grant prompt, sincere and complete home rule to Cuba as the best means to avert American intervention. Some even rec commended Spain not to discard the prof fered assistance of President Cleveland, if such thing would be consistent with the drift of Spanish domestic politics.
 l repeat that all this passed behind the scenes of diplomacy in conversations, confidential correspondence and exchange of views, of which no compromising off, cial record should be extant which the cortes could call for.
 Nevertheless, the attitude of the Euro pean powers become generally known at court and even among all the intelligent classes throughout Spain. Hence the bit 'gerness of the tone of many newspapers against the European powers and par -icularly against England, for having assented to the pretensions of the Ameri- can government in the Venezuelan affair.
 The Madrid government affects to STedtly ueSiTe tO ulSpel III America all suspicion of its harboring any idea of courting European support or mediation of any kind in it's relations with the United States and Cuba.
 The Tiempo publishes the alleged text of letter addressed by Maxine Gomez to Marshal CampoS at the end of Jan uary, 1896, few days before Gen. Cam pos left Cuba, to which Gen. Campos re- piled that he could do nothing, as he had resigned his command, but would com municate the letter to his successor. The letter runs thus:
 General--As you are a gentleman and, owing to your high qualities, deserve the sympathy of the whole country, I appeal to you. I would not do so to any other person representing the authority of Spain on the island.
 We must all lament the shedding of blood and the ruin of Cuba. For my part would wish to contribute to stop ping so much desolation.
 If you can find some means for work Ing out peace have no scruples In telling me so, because l will make any sacrafice 70 devise on my side some formula of com promise.
 Strangely enough, Gen. Campos was not allowed to carry out the home-rule re- forms, which might have checked the uprising. Most Spaniards, especially the liberals, cannot help thinking now how practical and polite 1t would be under the present circumstances to send the galland marshal back to Cuba.
 There is a widespread rumor tonight in military circles that Gen. Weyler prob ably will be recalled and that he will be succeeded by Marshal Primo de Rivera the captain-general of Madrid. who will have two able assistants in the persons of Lieut.-Gens. Macias and Correa. The change, however, depends on the failure of Gen. Weylers present plan of cam paign and his persisting in refusing to come to terms with the Cuhan nla ntars in regard to allowing the gathering of the crops and the working of the sugar mills. I believe the rumor is premature.
 Premier Canovas has again authorized the Madrid press to deny that he has negotiated with or given any pledge to the American government concerning his plans in Cuba.