The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-19
SEEKING TO AvoID WAR.
Bpain's Representative Exerting His
influence ia Behalf of Peace.

Influence ia Behalf or Pence.
CHICAGO, March 1S-W E. Curtis the
Washington correspondent of the Record,
says: With the advent of the minister the
policy of the Spanish government toward
the United States seems to have been en-
tireiy changed, almost reversed. Senior Polo
is a most amiable man, of lively DISPOSE
ton. earnest manners and manifest de-
sire to restore and preserve the friendly
relations between his own country and
ours. Ever since his arrival he has been
engaged with great industry in making
friends and endeavoring to impress the Of
ficials of our government with the desire
of Spain for peace. He tells everybody he
meets. both officials and private citizens.
that war is impossible because both nations
know better than to fight. and that Spain is
particularly anxious to avoid a conflict be-
cause the government there realizes that
the strength and wealth of the United
States is too great for her small popula-
ton and poverty to contend with At the
same time he is endeavorsng by both direct
and indirect means to induce the President
to use his good offices to sustain the pres
ent antonomist government at Havana. He
correctly claims that it was established at
the instance of the United Staes, and that
it ought to have a fair test. Spain has
done everything that we have recon-
mended. That government has promptly
complied with every wish the President has
expressed often no doubt with mortifca-
ton and misgivings, and now that the
critical time has come it is only natural.
for it to expect from this direction that
support and encouragement which is neces-
sary to make home rule a success.
The situation in Cuba is extraordinary
and extremely delicate The government is
intrusted to a group of men who less than
a year ago would have been shot or at
least sent to the dungeons if the captain
general could have laid hands upon them,
and they, with the knowledge and consent
OF the Ministry at Madrid, have offered the
insurgents terms of capitulation which
practically surrender everything but the
nag of Spain; and, stranger still, the gov
eminent or the United States has been So
licited, indirectly and unoficially, however,
to exercise it's influence with the insurgents
to accept this olive branch If it had been
rendered two years ago. or even a year
ago, the concessions which Spain now of.
fers to her rebellious subjects might have
been effective in restoring peace, but they
have been so reluctant and tardy that the
latter conclude that Spain has reached her
last argument, and are encouraged to ex-.
pect absolute independence. The Spanish
government, however, still believes that if
the United States should withdraw its
moral support from the insurgents by con-
vineing them that they cannot expect in
tervention or recognition from this govern
ment, and would recall our fleet from Gu
ban waters, there is a strong probability
Of the. acceptance and support &c the au-
economist government by ali classes in
Cuba. The critical period 81 approaching.
the elections for memberl & Z the colonial
believed by the Spaniards that a free cleo
ton. which Is offered for the first time in
any Spanish colony, may be participated
In by the Spanish conservatives as we'll
80 the irsurgent sympathlzers il our gov
eminent VIII only exercise It's efforts ia the