Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-10
SPAIN WANTS A QUARREL
That Country is Now in Exceedingly Des-
perate Straits.
Importance of Conservative and
ForbearfnE Course in Treating
the Cuban Question.

Some of the most conservative and re-
liable men in Congress are discussing the
CUBAN Sltuatioh-more properly the Spanish
sltuatlon-very graYely, and say that they
expect that before long the wisdom of the
recommendations on the subject by the
President in his message will be apparent
to every one. They say that the situation
is such as to render the most conservative
and forbearing course consistent with the
dignity of this government the wisest and
most patriotic that can be followed, and
that every effort should be and will be
made to hold Congress down in the matter.
This opinion is presented with confidence
that such a course will hinder retard
the independence of Cuba, but will serve
as bulwark of strength to this govern
ment when the crisis arrives that is eX-
pected.
The dispatches from Madrid indicating
that SagaSta and the new Spanish ministry
cannot sustain themselves against the
popular antagonisT to the autonomy plan
and the expressions quoted from Sagastas
speech on that subject were not uneX-
pected to the administration The Presi-
dent, it is asserted, was not at the time of
the writing of his message ignorant of the
desperate position of the Sagasta minis
try, and 1t was realized that popular
clamor against policy of Cancellation
might at any time drive Sagasta to seek
quarrel directly with the United States.
With such a prospect in view, 1t is regard
ed as OF the greatest Importance that this
government should appear in the eyes of
all nations as not the aggresSor but
having been patient and forbearing even
to an extreme degree.
Attitude of the Spanish.
One of the best Informed and most con-
servative men in the House said in a
serious private discussion of the situation
today, that there was great probability
that Srain would soon try to fix a quarrel
upon the United States. THE Spanish"
he said. ARE in desperate straits both at
nome and in Cuba. Cuban independence
is now practically assured. The autonomy
exponent is recognized as a failure even
by Sasasta. both or account of the refusal
OF the insurgents to accept it and because
or the urpopularity of the scheme among
the Spanish themselves Ii is a foregonc
conclusion that the cOrtcs will not ratify
the decree OF autonomy, and it is realized
llat the very existence of the Spanish
government would be threatened BIZ per
Sistence in the policy.
Ihe belief is entertained that the Sagasta
government will he driven to seek trouble
with the United States in order to escape
popular condemnation at home and to avoid
the humiliation Of defeat by the Cubans
alone. The administ IA ton realizes that
events are tending in that direction and
the President foresaE the probability of it
Z.
seek and could not get the assistance OF
any foreign government in her efforts to
subdue the insurgents, but the Spauish
have hopes that if the United States could
be placed i'll the attitude of an aggressor
and be drawn into the fight some outside
assistance for Spain might be secured 1t
is regarded as probable that Spain will
take aggressive action herself, in the alb
Sence of provocation from this government
but in that event no foreign country could
ma an excuse to participate as Il SUPP Urter
of Spain. 1t is for this reason that the ad-
mlnlStrttion takes the position it does and
that all possible efforts will be made 10
prevent provocation being given by Con-
grcSS.'
Opposition 10 the Spanish Minister
a story comes from New York that tho
Spanish colony in that city is divided on
the question OF the retention of Senior de
LONE as the Spanish minister to the Unit
ed States. Shcrtly after the assassination
OF Premier sCanovas d petition was sent to
Madrid asking for a strong successor to
Senior De LONE. The petition was drawn
so as to attack Senior De LONE without
mentioning his name, and among the forty
prominent Spaniards who signed it were
several frie1 DIS of the minister, who did rot
see an attack upon him in the apparently
harmless recommendations. The result is
strong bitterness among the factions
me petition speaks of the desire of the
AMERICAN people for the success of the
CuDans and of the necessity of Spain civ
ing the United States to understand that
not only it hnows how to govern its own
affairs, but that it is resolved to govern
them as 1t chooses"
The So-callcd enemies of De Iona are led
by Seniors L. F. Auja and A. TaitovrII who
charge the minister with lack of foresight
and weakness, with permitting Americans
voice in Spanish affairs and with bowling
n no N fh..f~-