Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-19
4 YANKEE IN SPAIN.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION FROM THE
STANDPOINT or A TYPICAL
sPANIARD.

NJ Spanish friend knew that I was an
American, Of course, and yet on my re-
turn TO Madrid this spring, after years
absence, he welcomed me ~ cordially ~
ever. He spoke with feeling about the
impending war, and voiced the same
thoughts as bis friend Castelar-that war
was . disgraceful thing to happen 1t
such time between two such countries.
I'VE are both to blame In this matter"
said he, "but the most important thing
TO be done, II peace 10 to result, IL to
take such matter - this out Of the
hands Of popular agitstors and leave Il
to tribunal Of impartial jurists.
"God knows that we Spaniards ar
IDENTIFY desire peace, xt any price that
does not stain our national honor. The
United States have helped to make the
Cuban rebellion formidable, and nov
your government upbraids rs because
we do not out an end TO 1t at once"
pointed out to him that the Ameri
can public sentiment on this subject had
developed gradually by the constant re-
ports from Cubs, showing US that the
war was being waged In cruel manner.
He admitted this, and depl0red the fact
that when Spsniards got to lighting, II
became question not Of taking but Of
killing the most prisoners.
The Cubans are like US Ia this mat
ter" said he. He went on TO point out
that Spain at bottom lived still In the
middle ages so far as views Of war were
concerned, and that things which we re-
garded "a bsrbsrous, to them were mere
matters OF course.
It WAS hard to press this point without
losing our tempers, so I asked him how
far his government would be apt to 20
towards solution Of this Cuban mat
ter. pointed out at the same time that
Americans had but little faith left for
any promises made by the Spanish gov
eminent unless action went before. Mr..
CASTELAR, had 10 the previous year told
me that he thought the government
meant to be generous In Its treatment OF
Cuba, and the late Prime Minister
Csnovss had assured me emphatically,
as late ss March Of 1897, that he con-
templated the fullest home-rule for Cuba
-home-rule that could not fail TO satisfy
every sensible Cuban.
Ny friend did not resent my apparent
lack Of confidence In ministerial prom
ises; on the contrary, he probably shar-
ed the feelings OF Mr.. Mckinley on this
delicate subject. We soon agreed that
the concessions demanded OF Spain must
be more material than promises.
He was very much detected, and dwelt
upon the empty state OF the Spanish
treasury, the difficulty Of paying the In.
terest on the national debt. the terrible
depreci Of the paper currency,
which, during my short stay In the coun-
try. had sunk from 81 per cent 10 IL per
cent below face or coin value, so that
la pesetas In paper could only buy 100
pesetas OF real money. The press OF all
parties had so loudly and Indignantly
repudisted the mere idea Of parting with
Cuba, ut any price, that | hesitated be-
fore limiting to him delicstely that there
Was = solution Of the question that might
all the treasury of Spain for the moment
snd enable the weary troops 70 return
home.
He probably guessed what meant,
but pretended not to.
"Cau you imagine any situation so
desperate that your government would
listen to proposal for the purchase OF
Cubsy"
He looked attentively a, me for mo-
men,, and then said, emphsticslly, but
coldly, "Yes, I can imagine such state
Of things"
confess that was not prepared for
such an admission, least OF all from a
man so near TO the government. He
went on To explsin 10 me that with q
people 80 sensitive In matters OF form a.
Spsniards IL was not light matter to
carry through diplomatic scheme Of
this kind without an outburst from the
Jingoes, and perhaps an attempt at rev.
olution. He had much respect for Gen.
ersl woodford, he said, and II was 3
source Of great comfort 10 him 10 know
that at such time the legation WAS In
the hands Of so good msn.
Nv friend spoke with full sense OF
HE responsibility. knowing we'll that /
apprecis ted the relations he held towards
the government as well ss to Mr.. Caste
lar. He had no social relations with our
legation, but knew that | was To dine
with General woodford that evening :;
and his manner convinced me that he
sought 10 this way to get certain Ideas
discussed 10 the proper quarters without
compromising his government. | cannot
give this gentlemsn's name, bat attach
considerable importance to the views he
expressed, because he Is not peace-at-
sny-price man, but patriotic, long
headed, and eminentiy trustworthy
Spsniard.-Poultney Bigelow In Hsr-
per's Weekly.