The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-16
Statements In Contradistinction to
Prevailing Sentiment.
THE FEELING in SPAIN
IS NOT SO WARLIKE AS IT is IN
AMERICA.
Conservative Review of Conditions
From One Who Is In Touch With
the Spanish Government-Senor
Polo's Call On Day Gratifying to
Former Diplomat.

Washington, March ia statement
which is believed shows correctly the
sentiment of the Spanish cabinet in the
present emergency, was made today
by a gentleman intimately associated
with Premier Sagasta and Senior Moret,
secretary for the colonies. 1t is not de-
sired TO give it the form of an official
utterance, but rather an exposition
from one whose opportunities for in
formation are complete on the views
animating the ruling authorities of
Spain. The statement is as follows:
THE elections in Cuba are about to
occur, and the government desires them
to be as free as possible; naturally.
however, the insurrection will prevent
many from voting, and it is felt also
that renewed insurgent activity COM
ing at such moment might jeopardiZe
the successful working out of the atom
omist plan.
HURTFUL TO FAIR EXPRESSION.
Moreover, the attitude of the United
States in having a squadron so near
Cuba and the active war preparations
in the United States. are of nature
that may exert an influence against fair
expression of public will, against the
autonomiStS. 1t is thought that if the
United States were sincere in its ex-
pressions of friendship to Spain, even if
it thought that autonomy could not
meet every expectation, 1t should, by
friendly acts, and not words, show the
sympathy with the liberal regime in
augurated in Cuba. If the Washing
ton government made known indirectly
to the insurgents that it meant to have
peace in Cuba, and that peace in Cuba
might be had with autonomic govern
ment under Spain, the insurrection
would certainly die out. If, later, the
Weyler party wanted to interfere. ii
would be time for the United States to
take action. The action would be then
justifiable. Now to make war on Spain
would be a crime, and for that crime
to civilization and humanity the United
States would be responsible
The foregoing statement was called
to the attention of Senior Polo de Ber-
nabe, but he maintained diplomatic re-
serve after reading 1t carefully, and
said it appeared to be given by one
thoroughly conversant with the situa-
ton.
SENIOR POLO.
This afternoon the Spanish minister
called at the state department and had
a two hours conference with Assistant
Secretary Day. 1t was the first call
of Senior Polo for purely business pur-
poses. The minister came away look
ing highly gratified. but he asked to
be excused from discussing the pur-
pose of his call. There is little doubt,
however, that it permitted full ex-
change on the present situation.
COMMERCIAL TREATY.
Madrid. March 15.-It is asserted in
well informed circles that the nego-
tiations in New York as to the COM
treaty are paving the way for
an understanding between the Cuban
and the insurgents on the
grounds to be submitted for approval
to the home government.
The aspect of affairs has undergone a
change and there is a strong
feeling in favor of peace between the
United States and Spain.
1t is alleged that knowledge of the
fact led Mr.. CurZon. parliamentary
secretary for the British foreign office,
to decline yesterday to reply to the
questions put by Michael Davitt, anti
Parnellite member for South Mayo. as
to whether Great Britain had offered 10