The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-06
MINISTER POLO
IS OPTIMISTIC.
Consider For a Moment Some EIe-
ments of This Crisis"
EARNEST PLEA FOR AUTONOMY.
He Claims It Has Not Had Fair Trial
Spain's Affection for Cuba Likened
to That of Our People for One
ofthe States of the Union.

WASHINGTON. April 5.-The Spanish
Minister Senior Polo Bernabe, was seen
at the Spanish legation to-day and con-
sented to talk on the present condition of
affairs lie spoke freely and at times
with intense earnestness. The interview
is authoritative throughout:
Il am still hopeful OF peace" said he.
"That may seem optimistic at a moment
when such passions are aroused, such
naval and military opratlons are going
on and when the current OF public senti-
ment seems TO be that war Is inevitable.
l cannot say that / base my view that
peace will prevail upon any direct or Off
cial information. On the contrary, II Is
my individual judgment, based solely
upon the conviction that In these enlight-
ened days two self-respecting nations,
made up Of men and women Of high as
plratlOns and noble Instincts. cannot and
will not resort to that last and brutal
expedlent, war. To be sure. l cannot
close my eyes 10 certain obvious circum-
stances existing both here and in Spain.
SOME ELEMENTS.
Consider for a moment some OF the
elements OF this present crisis" the min
lister went on. speaking with much vigor.
"Can It be possible that your people Will
. 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 lmmemOriaI-from the time of the
discovery by Christopher columbus-and
as a part OF Spain there is clustered
about It reverence almost sacred. Cuba
Is regarded by our people just as you re-
gard one OF the States OF your Union.
What would be said II some foreign pow
ed said to the United States that Illinois
or Texas. or California must be free and
independent OF the United States? To be
sure your press tells OF brutal savagery
existing in Cuba. / do not wish TO deal
in recrIminatlon. The time for that has
gone by. But / give you my word that
this savagry does not exist at all that
all reliable reports. official and unofficial,
Spanish and American agree that what
ever may have been the condition OF
affairs year or two years ago, General
Blanco has inaugurated a humane and
beneacent system characteristic OF the
man.
AS TO AUTONOMY.
Now as 10 autonomy-For some rea-
son Intense teeHnB mas Deeu AIouSeu III
this country against the home
rule regime which Spain has in
augurated in Cuba. II seems to
Le overlooked. IN the passion OF the
moment that this home rule has been the
aspiration OF the Cubans for years. II
seems to be overlooked also that Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Olney urg-
ed a full measure OF home rule as the
means likely TO bring about termina-
ton OF the Cuban conflict. Spain has
granted tha. granted II with the deepest
sincerity. 20 not wish In this 10 repeat
an argument for autonomy, but simply 70
call attention TO the fact that plain JUS
tice dictates that a system Of home rule
has been brought forth after the deepest
soIcltude and consideration and based
upon what the Cubans themselves have
long desired and on what the United
States deemed most fitting as settle
ment. should not be lightly dismissed on
representations OF the press or even on
the representations Of men 6f sober tudg-
rnent
RECONCENTRADOES.
AS TO the reconcentradoes. I can only
say that the DEGREES Of concentration have
been revoked and urgent steps are oeing
taken for tho relief OF these poor crea-
tutes. While there Is no doubt Of the
misery OF their condition, yet the govern