New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06
SPANISH MINISTER HOPEFUL
WAR BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE UNITED
STATES A CRIME. HE SAYS.
HE URGES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO CONSIDER
BOTH SIDES OF THE oUEsrIoN-THINKs

HOME RULE WILL YET Sue
cEED IN CUBA.
Washington. April The Spanish Minister.
sehor Polo de Bernabe. was seen at the Lega-
ton to-day. and consented to talk on the pres
ent condition OF affairs. He spoke freely. and
at times with i~tense earnestness. The inter-
view is authoritative throughout
II am still hopeful OF peace" he said. That
may seem optimistic at moment when such
passions are aroused such naval and military
operations are going on and when the current
~ public sentiment seems 10 be that war is IN
evitabe. ! cannot say that base my view
that peace VIII prevail upon any direct or OFF,
Cial Information. on the contrary. It is my indi-
vdual Judgment. based solely upon the convc-
ton that In these enlightened days two self
respecting nations made up o, men and women
Of high aspirations and noble instincts. cannot
and will not resort to the last and brutal ex-
pedient Of war. 1t would be too wanton. too
criminal. too offensive TO all the dictates Of CIV
iIization and Christianity for such awful con-
sequence to he brought about. To he sure.
cannot close my eyes TO certain obvious crcum-
stances existing both here and in Spain. At
times these have inclined me TO share the popu-
lar view that the relations between the two
countries were fast approaching an irreconciI-
to me-. nor does Il seem TO me now. that that
issue has progressed beyond the bounds o,
reasonable and Just settlement alike honorable
20 both Governments.
TWO SIDES TO THE CASE.
"Consdcr for a moment some ~ the elements
Of this present crisis the Minister went on.
speaking with much vigor. can it be possible
that your people viii consider only one side Of
: 4 that there
are two sides % this case. There are always
two Sides to case and is it just fair or chiv-
alrous for your people. borne on by their strong
and innate patriotism. to say We are right.
Sraln il wrong that ends ir?' In spirit OF
simple Justice. Why will rot this disposition
yield FOR a moment 20 calm consideration OF
both sides # the case Including some OF those
factors which are vital ard essential 10 Spain;
cuba has been colony Of spain from time
lnln,omorial-from the time II the discovery by
Christopher Columbus-and. as a part Of SPAN
there Is clustered about r. a reverence almost
sacred cuba IS regarded ~ our people Just as
You regard ono If the States of your Union
VIVA. would be said Il some foreign Power SAID
10 the United states that Illinois or Texas or
California must be free and independent OF the
United states Would no; your very honor be
brough. IN question: e course, | can urier-
stand that some ore viii rise up and say les
hr, tho states are well governed and are at
peace. while cuba Is miss 7verned ana IN state
o., lnel-raction There. again. simp'" justice ana
fairness demand that there he something more
than ahstrac, assertion. TO 10 sure your press
tolls a, brutal savagery existing In Cuba 90
M, v-,SS 70 dsal in discrimination. The time
.or that has gone ~
xO RARBARITY N CUBA NOW
"Ru. give you my word that this savagery
docs no, exls, at all. thai a.! trustworthy To-
nor,s official and unof,cla.. Spanish and Ameri-
ar ar-oa ,hA, whatever NAV have been the con-
l,,lon % affairs n year or two years ago Cenera'
E,anco has inaugurated an humane and nehe"-
cen, system characteristic ~ the man. Na'u-
rally. with an instruction In progress HI"'a''
affairs have pursued the usual methods OF Hi''-
tar. he. And in this they have been con-
stantlv restrain d a; all times by the de'e''l'''a
.,o, .. have their operations worthy OF an hon.
o-ah,o nation and an honorable people. That IS
all cooln has sought 20 do n putting down a re-
,a,iio, 7, Is wha. any Government on the race
~ the earth would ID. she socks no more ana
no loss than 10 preserve her established rights
Nov as 70 autonomy. For some reason IN
tense feeling has bcen aroused IN TINS country
AGAINST tho horae-ru.e regime which spain mas
inaugu.ated IN tuoa. II S'''" ~ " - ,
in the passion y he moment ina, hone VIC
has been aspiration Il the Cuoans 'or 3 go
~, see-e 20 h. overlooked. also. that Presldene
C,,o,.iard and Secretary Olney urged a full
measure OF home rule as the means likely 70
hr.ng about A termination - the CUBAN con-
49, S~atr has granted that-granted Il with
80 do.ros. sincerity There IS disposition 70
ma laws In the details Of the plan. Let any
one who is anxious 20 pick haWs ana VINO car
for war take this h9:nr-rule iaH allu 20 80,
=, 10. Ic,,u H.. vlFari ita' II gives the Gu
hans th4 most complete control Of their own
o6,irs Ttev have a Parliament % their own
and a Cabine, q th'ir own Ministers
90, RAID TRIAL. FOR HONE RULE.
tn, por,,o,nen, and
49,, c.tt,., ara about - assume complete