The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-06
Minister Says Cruelty Has Stopped
and Cuba Is SPANS.
CONFLICT NOT CIVILIZED.
Still Hopes for Peace Despite the
OminOuS Outlook.

Washington, April 5-The Spanish min
lister, Senior Polo y Bernabe, was seen at
the Spanish legation to-day and consented
to talk on the present condition of af-
fairs He spoke freely and at times with
intense earnestness, The interview is au-
thoritative throughout.
II am still hopeful of peace, said he.
THAT may seem optimistic yat a moment
when such passions are aroused such
naval and military operations are going
on, and when the current of public senti-
ment seems TO be that war is inevitable.
1 cannot say that I base my view that
peace will prevail upon any direct or off,
cial information. On the contrary it is
my individual judgment, based
soleyl upon the conviction that
in these enlightened days two
self respecting nations, made up of men
and women of high aspirations and noble
instincts, cannot and viii not resort to
that last and brutal expedient, war To
be sure, I cannot close my eyes to Ger,
tain obvious circumstances existing both
here and in Spain.
Consider for a moment some of the ele-
ments of this present CRISIS" the minis~
ter went on, speaking with much vigor
"Can it be possible that your people viii
consider only one side of the case? Let
us for a moment admit that there are
two sides to it, Cuba has been a colony
of Spain from time immemorial-from tho
time Of discovery by Christopher Column
bus-and as part of Spain there is clus-
tered about it a reverence almost sacred.
Cuba is regarded by our people Just as
you regard one of the states of your union.
What would be said if some foreign power
said to the United States that Illinois
or Texas or California must be free ana
independent of the United States?
ITO be sure, your press tells of brutal
savagery existing in Cuba. I do not wish
to deal in reetmination. The time for
that has gone by. But I give you my
word that this savagery does not exist at
all; that all reliable reports, official and
unofficial Spanish and American, agree
that whatever may have been the condi-
tion of affairs a year or two years ago.
Gen. Blanco has inaugurated a humane
and beneficent system characlstic of
the man.
Now, as to autonomy. For some rea-
son intense feeling has been aroused In
this country against the home rule regime
which Spain has inaugurated in Cuba. 1t
seems to be overlooked, In the passion of
the movement that this home rule has
. been the aspiration of the Cubans for
years. 1t seems to be overlooked also that
President Cleveland and Secretary Oln az
urged full measure OF home rule as the
means likely to bring about termination
of the Cuban conflict. Spain has granted
that; granted 1t with the deepest SINGER
ity. l do not wish in this to repeat an ar
gument for autonomy, but simply to call
attention to the fact that plain justice die
tates that a system Of home rule, brought
forth after the deepest sollcitude and con-
sideration and based upon what the Gu
bans themselves have long desired, and
on what the United States government
deemed most fitting as a settlement should
not be lightly dismissed on. representa-
tions of the press. or even on the represen-
tatlons of men of sober judgment.
"As to the reconeentrados, / can only
say that the DEGREES Of concentration have
been revoked and urgent steps are being
taken for the relief of these poor crea-
lures. While there is no doubt of the mis-
cry of their condition, yet the government
is making the most heroic efforts to II lle-
viate this condition.
"As to the insurgents they have borne
arms against Spain for three years, en-
failing terrible loss OF life and money.
And yet. believing these men to be mis-
guided, the government has sought to re-
gain their confidence. Even to-day the
official gazette at Havana publishes an
appeal by the home rule government, urg-
ing all those in arms, insurgents as well
as Spaniards, to cease hostlities, join
hands and unite in celebrating the restGs
ration of peace. 1t tells them also that Il
this home rule is not perfect, that 1t may
be improved. In short the insurgents are
invited TO join the Spanish soldiers in lay
ing down their arms, saying that Pc
riod OF calm may be given, during which
Just and wise counsels may prevail soI
permanent betterment of Cuba.
"You ask me as to the latest phases OF
the negotiations. OF this cannot speak
owing to the restrictions of my position.
/ can only say that despite the animosi-
ties aroused. / believe that calm counsel
will yet prevail, and that the United
States and Spain will be able TO solve this
problem on basis just and honorable to
all concerned and without recourse to
arms. fully recognize the earnestness
patriotism and intense vigor Of the Amer
lean people, but ] feel that II Is not i'm
proper for me 70 suggest that at such a
profoundly solemn moment, earnestness