The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-17
SPANS sEMI-PROTEsT.
The Spanish Cabinets Representa-
tiOns COnVeYed in a EriendIv Snirif.

The Spanish Cabinets Representa-
tfOns Conveyed i'm Friendly Spirit.
WASHINGTON, March 16-The war
preparations being made by the United
States, the assembling of ships at Key
West, the purchase of cruisers abroad, and
the emergency measure in the War and
Navy Departments, have come to the Of
ficial attention of the Spanish government,
and the views of the Spanish Cabinet there
on have been communicated to the State
Department here. This has not taken the
form of protests, however, as it does not
appear that the Spanish government claims
or asserts the right to question such internal
measures as the United States may adopt,
even though those be of character to in
dicate preparations for war. 1t is rather
by way of representations, conveyed in a
friendly spirit and without threat, as to the
serious influences which these preparations
will have in encouraging the Cuban insur-
gents at the moment when the autonomy
plan is to have it's crucial trial through the
Cuban elections, and in this way defeat the
reforms Premier Sagasta Is seeking to
carry out. 1t has been specially pointed out
that the presence of the large fleet of
United States war ships at Key West cam
rot be regarded as a friendly measure, as
the sending of ships was officially repre-
sented to be when the Maine went to Ha-
vana and the Vizcaya returned the compli-
mentary visit. In short, the presence of
this extensive fleet near Cuba, together with
the war measures taken by the United
States are regarded by Spain as seriously
prejudicial to the policy of autonomy which
Spain and the United States have alike aD-
proved, and an indirect encouragem snt &C
the insurgents in defeating the desires OF
both governments for the success of that
policy. Finally, and in the same spirit OF
friendly representation, rather than OF pro-
test, Spain has pointed out that a war by
the United States against Spain under such
circumstances would be unjustifiable before
the world and a crime against humanity
and civilization. The representations con.
tained no reference whatever to the Maine
disaster or to redress or indemnity therefor.
Officials here decline to discuss the Span
ish statement publicly, but there is gem
eral belief among them that the publication
marks the beginning OF a new chapter in
the troubled relations between the United
States and Spain. The statement is be-
lieved to be a first step towards forming
public opinion in Europe in anticipation Of
a failure on the part of the Spanish officials
to make a success of the autonomous pro-
gramme which it had outlined and that an
attempt is to be made to place the RESPONSE
bility on the United States for any failure
that may follow. This movement is re-
garded as adding much to the gravity of
the situation. That thu administration will
be Influenced by the suggestion that the
presence of the fleet of the North Atlantic
squadron at Key West is a disturbing fac
tor is not believed for a moment. Visible
evidence of that determination was the
ceaseless activity of the naval officials, as
well as th steady prosecution of the plans
of the War Department to-day.