Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-18
THE CUBAN AFFAIR.


The semi-oficial statement made public
at Madrid advancing the government
view that a demand for indemnity
based on Spanish responsibility for the
Maine explosion would be Indignantly
repelied by Spain attracted great
deal of interest in official circles here.
There has been little doubt for some
time that Spain was preparing for the
contingency Of an adverse report by
the American court of inquiry and to
that end was getting ready to antici
pate and offset it by making clear the
policy of standing by the report of the
Spanish commission. The Spanish re-
mort was due in Madrid Wednesday,
and while its conclusions are not OIL
cially known it is foregone conclusion
that they will be that the Maine disas
ter wac due to accident resul ing from
internal explosion. This was fore
Swallowed in the advance utterances OF
Captain Peral, head OF the Spanish
commission, who stated publicly seve-
raj days ago that the theory of eXter-
nal explosion was untenable. Alonr
with the semi.official statement from.
Madrid that demand for indemnity
will be Indignantly repealed is the fur
Their statement from reliable sources
that Spaid has made it clear to the au-
thorities here that intervention in Cuba
may lead to war. The prospects Of
such intervention appear to be serious.
ly entertained by Spain, and strong
efforts have been made to avert it by
showing that the condition Of the
reconcentrados does not warrant the
step, and also that it would threaten
t. end all prospects of further pacific
negotiations. Each government has
been sounding the other on the activ
ity 10 searching for ships, but there has
been little ground for objection on
either side, as both have been bidding
in the same markets. The admins
tration explains its buying of ships on
the ground that SPANS attitude has
been SO menacing as naturally to call for
au augmented navy, while Spain takes
the view that the activity in the United
States requires suitable preparations by
the Spanish navy.
A dispatch from Madrid says: Peace
is the word of the day, and if it can be
had without derogaticn to SPANS
honor, public sentiment, uniinchingly
led by Sagasts, who refuses to be rush
ed in any Way, calls for it. la the pres
ence of the Queen, Senior Sagasia yes
terday afternoon gave full recitation OF
the situation OF Spain and the United
States in plain nnvarnisbed state
ment, not concealing the worst. 1t
was the occasion of the weekly council
of ministers at the palace.
Epoca says: "In the midst of 30
much agitation, it is satisfactory to say
the relations between the United States
and Spain have entered more tran
quill phase"
A dispatch from Madrid says After
the council of ministers yesterday, it
was stated officially that the govern
ment had not yet received a full report
from the Spanish commission on the
Maine catastrophe. 1t is rumored that
if the reports do clash, the Spanish
government will incline to settlement
by arbitration, selecting either the
Pope or q European power, probably
as umpire. The Madrid press
complains bitterly of the American pre-
parations for war, and of the
United States vessels in Cuban
waters, which certainly contribute to-
ward paralyzing the efforts of the new
Cuban home rule cabinet in its endeav-
ors to induce the insurgents to submit.
A squadron of warshipS will be sta
toned at Hampton Roads. 1t will con-
sist CT the battleships Massachusetts |
and Texas, withdrawn from the fleet at
Key West, and the cruisers Brooklyn,
and Columbia The squad
ron is designed for the protection OF
Atlantic coast ports.
The Spanish torpedo fotills, now at
the Canary Islands, has been ordered |
not to proceed TO Havana Austria, it
is stated, may advance funds to Spain,
in which event Spain would make i'm
poltsnt naval purchases.
The Cuban Junta has issued a prc-
clamation to the American people that
Cuba will not accept, or even discuss,
for autonomy.
The United States cruiser Mont
gouery sailed from Havana yesterday
afternoon for Fey West.
1t was stated in Philadelphia to-day
that number of capitalists headed by |
Ado!ph Segal. of that CITY, have bought !