The Portland daily press., 1897-11-06
Ex-MINIsTER TAYLOR REPLIES
To Senator Salvani's Criticism or Ms
Cuban Article.


Some Interesting Facts Regarding Cano-
vas, Proposed Reforms and What
Prompted Them.
New York, November 5.-The Herald
today prints statement from ex-Minister
Taylor regarding Senator Salvani's
criticism of his article in the North
American Review. He says:
I am grateful to my good friend,
Senator Salvani, for removing the seal of
secrecy from my lips as to transaction
Of which I am very proud, am also
of story which I shall attempt to tell in
some detail, as it's unfolding cannot fail
to throw powerful side light upon the
Cuban question, as well as upon my per-
sonal conduct while striving with all my
might to aot as true and fearless friend
to both of the contending parties.
For three years Senator CASTELAR, was
my near neighbor and friend, and Sena-
tor Salvani is his close and personal
political follower, who acts for him when
ever he needs an Intermediary. In that
way became ACC uainted with the latter
and his rela tion to the transaction in
question was simply that of a friendly
agent between his chief and myself.
In the darkest days of the Competitor
case, when feared that q rupture be-
tween the countries was imminent, and
when the fierce passions of the Madrid
populace were SO near fever heat that l
apprehended an attack upon the legation
every day, 1 was convinced that some
thing must be done to lessen the strain
or war would be inevitable.
Meyler was going on unchecked with
hic ha arha arit fbo MadriH do
manding the immediate execution of the
Competitor prisoners, and the minister
OF state was being denounced as craven
because he listened to the good advice I
gave him on that subject.
HIS POLICY SUICIDAL.
At that time no steps had been taken to
offer reforms to Cuba Senior Canovas
was openly declaring that tthe last dollar
and the last man" was the only response
he would ever make to those who had
challenged the sovereignty of Spain in
arms.
had tried in every way to impress him
with the suicidal character of that policy,
and had pleaded in every possible way
with those near to him in the hope of
convincing them that the inevitable re-
suit of his plan of coercion without con-
cession would be intervention upon the
part of the United States. l told every
body that we did not wish to annex Cuba,
that personally was very much opposed
to 1T; but at the same time I said that we
must have peace not only for the sake of
commerce, but because the inhuman
strife SO near our shores thrilled our
people with a sympathy that entered as a
disturbing element into our national
politics.
I failed. however, to make any impress
sion, and those who were nearest Senior
Canovas told me that his word was law,
and that he would not listen to any pro-
ject of reform until the rebellion was
completely crushed or nearly so. At the
moment when to this dreary outlook were
added the perils arising out of the Com
pet1tor case, CASTELAR,, who is one of the
truest of patriots and noblest of men, in
vited me to dine with him, as he very
often did.
CONVERSATION WITH CASTELAR,.
thought saw great opportunity to
do good, and l therefore resolved to en-
gage in dangerous enterprise. CASTELAR,
and Canovas were born in the same
neighborhood, and the affection that be-
gan in their school days continued with
out cloud until the Lamartine of Spain
stood in tears near the body Of his mur-
dered friend at San Aguada. Every week
they dined together, and knew that up-
on every pending political question they
conferred freely with each other.
therefore resolved to drop my repre-
sentative char acter and go to Castelar, as
private gentleman and to appeal to him
as friend to friend to help me to bring
the iron Premier to a sense of reason and
justice. In that capacity and with that
resolve, after dinner WAS over, | quietly
asked CASTELAR, to excuse himself from his
guests, including lady and gentleman
from New York, and to retire with me
into private room.
Strangely enough. we sat down upon a
little sofa over which hung a life size
portrait of General Washington, gift to
CASTELAR, years before from General
Sickles. Pointing to the picture, l said:
'You love and honor him -
"Yes," he said, with all my heartl'
"He," I replied, sis here in spirit to-
If you wi IL not listen to me, you must
listen to him. You know" I said, 'sthe
great lesson embodied in his life, If
colonies are not well governed they are
sure to be free.
URGED GENUINE REF ORMS.
then went on and unfolded my whole
thought. told him that the time had
come when the policy of the Spanish GOV
ernment must be changed, that genuine
reforms must be given at once to Cuba.
that unless something was done my gov
ernment, friendly as it was, could not
control much longer the rising passions
- ~ 10 81 +Io CNl
conclusion / said:
My last hope is in you; you alone can
speak to Canovas with authority, for you
represent the people of Spain. Go to him
at once" said. "and urge upon him
the imminent necessity of a grant of
genuine reform to Cuba; save the island
of Spain; do something of which I can
speak some day as your crowning act as
a lover of liberty
Not q moment did he hesitate or faIter.
Swelling with emotion he took my hand
and said:
tsVo,1 GRO S-,7a