The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-16
SPAIN SEEKING DELAY.
Statement That Rejects the Senti-
ments of the Sagasta Cabinet.

statement Inal AeMectS Inc SehNA~
ments of the sagasta Cabinet.
WASHINGTON, March ia statement
which is believed to reflect correctly the
sentiment of the Spanish Cabinet in the
present emergency was made to-day by
gentleman intimately associated with Pre-
mier Sagasta and Senior Moret, minister of
the colonies in the Spanish Cabinet. 1t is
not desired to give it the form of an Off
cial utterance, but rather an exposition
from one whose opportunities for informa-
ton are complete on the views animating
the ruling authorities Of Spain. The state
ment is as follows: 1.-THE elections in Cuba
are about to occur, and the government de-
sires them to be as free as possible. Natur-
ally, however, the instruction will prevent
many from voting and it is felt also that
renewed insurgent activity coming at such
a moment might jeopardiZe the successful
working out of the autonomist plan. More
over, 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 under the autonomist plan. 1t is
thought that if the United States were sin
cere in it's expressions of friendship for
Spain, even if it thought that autonomy
could not meet every expectation, it should
by friendly acts and not words, show this
sympathy with the liberal regime inaugu-
rated in Cuba, If the Washington govern
ment made known indirectly to the insur-
gents that it meant to have peace in Cuba,
and that peace in Cuba may be had with an
autonomic government under Spain, the in
surrection would certainly die out. If later
the Weyler party wanted to interfere it
would be time then for the United States to
take action. That action would be then
justiiable. Now 20 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 Bernabe, the
Spanish minister, and his views on it re-
quested, but he maintained diplomatic re-
serve after reading it carefully, and said it
appeared to be given by one thoroughly
conversant with the situation.
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 purposes, the former
calls having been those of ceremony. The
minister came away looking highly graft
fled, but he asked to be excused from dis
cussing the purposes of his call. There is
little doubt, however, that it permitted a
full exchange on the present situation.
Senior Polo received a dispatch to-day
from the minister of state at Madrid stat
ing that at an audience with the Queen Re
gent her Majesty had appointed Senior Du
Bose, recent charge d'affaires here. a
knight commander of the first class of the
Order of Isabella de Catolica. This is in
recognition of Senior Du Bosses services
during the delicate period of the present
emergency, following Senior De Lome's re-
tirement and Senior Polo's arrival