Evening journal., 1898-04-15

/ paclhcation Of Cuba by means N rea-
son and right
THE autonomic constitution. which
grants 10 the inhabitants Of the is
land OF Cuba a political regime at least
as liberal as that which rules In the
/ Dominion OF Canada, VIII shortly en-
| ter upon its complete development
when. the elections having taken place,
/ the insular parliament shall meet In
| Havana on the 4th Of May next, and
such are the franchises and liberties
granted to the Cubans that no pretext
Is left TO them to ask for more ample
concessions.
Furthermore, as the island of Cuba
Is represented In the cortes Of the king
dom, a privilege which IS not enjoyed
! by any other foreign autonomic colony,
the Cuban senators and deputies can
there explain their aspirations IL they
uhould have any.
mo one who knows the liberal spirit
OF the majority OF the Spanish cortes
recently elected and the patriotic atti-
tude OF the principal parties of the op-
position can doubt that the Cubans will
obtain such notifications as they may
desire in justice within the limits of
reason and Of the national sovereignty
according TO the solemn offer OF the pre-
amble OF the royal decree OF the 27th Of
November, 1897, while at the same time
the government Of her majesty declared
that II would not withdraw nor consent
that there should be withdrawn any
thing from the colonial Liberties, fran
ehises and privileges accorded.
The repeal of the decree OF recon
ceutration and the aid Of all kinds
which the government OF her majesty
has granted and has permitted TO be
given to the reconcentrados have put
an end 10 a lamentable state Of affairs
which was the inevitable consequence
Of the bloody conflict provoked by a
small minority OF the sons OF Cuba, di-
rected and supported principally by for
eign Influences.
mo impartial mind which has full
knowledge OF the facts, so distorted as
they have been and are actually In
everything referring 10 the Cuban ques-
ton, can with justice charge Spain
with being remlss in seeking the means
for paclfying the island or grudging
in the concession Of privileges, liberties
and franchises for the welfare and hap
pinese OF It's inhabitants.
THE government OF her majesty does
not doubt that the government of the
United States must recognize this as It
Will recognize the manifest injustice
with which a part Of public opinion in
this country presumes TO find RESPONSE
bilities for Spain In the horrible catas-
trophe which occurred In the port OF
Havana on the unhappy night of the
10Th OF February last Her majesty the
queen regent, her responsible govern
ment, the governor general of Cuba the
insular government and all the princl-
pal authorities of Havana manifested
from the first moment the profound
sentiments Of horror which that inn
mense misfortune caused them and the
sympathy which on that most sad occa-
sion bound them to tho American gov
ernment and people.
The proofs Of this were the visits of
the charge daffaires Of her majesty to
the illustrious president of the United
States, those Of the highest Spanish
functlonaries OF state to Mr. Woodford.
the unstinted aid given to the victims
as well as the funeral ARRANGEMENTS
provided by the municipality Of Havana
and the notes addressed to the depart
ment Of state by this legation on the
l6 and 18th Of February and the 2d of
this month. numbers 12. 1s, IA and SO
respectively.
The officers and crew Of the vessels
Of war OF her majesty near the Maine.
disregarding the evident danger which
threatened them as the officers of that
American battleship recognized, imme-
diately lowered their boats and saved a
number OF the drowning who only owe
their lives to the prompt and eficacious
aid Of the Spanish sailors.
1T Is strange that these notorious
facts and these solemn manifestations
appear to he forgotten by public opin-
ION, which gives credit. on the other
hand, to the most absurd and offensive
hypothesis.
THE government OF her majesty
would be deeply grateful to the Justice
and courtesy OF that OF the United
States II II should re-establish OFFICIALLY
the truth Of facts which appear to be
ignored or not appreciated and igno-
rance Of which contributes 80 powerful
ly 10 maintain the extraordinary ex-
-itement which endangers, without any
reason or motive, the friendly relations
between the two nations.
with reference to the question OF
fact which results from the diversity
IF opinion between the reports OF the
/ Spanish and North American commits
3ions, the government Of her majesty.
which as yet does not yet know the
official text Of these opinions, has has
tened to declare itself ready to submit
the question to the decision Of Impair
tial and disinterested experts. accept
ng In advance the decision of the arbi-
rators named by both parties-an evil
lent proof Of the loyalty and good faith
with which Spain proceeds on this as
IN all occasions.
alrrNI.-
! these manifestations. Inspired by The
| oyal desire for peace and concord
which animates the government Of her
majesty viii be appreciated at their
ust value by the president and govern
ment of the United States"
THE POWERS AGAIN