The age-herald., 1898-04-06
IN FACE OF STORM
 BERNABE PLEADS His Voice Goes Out to America
 For Peace. HE PRATES OF FAIRNESS
 < And, With MigE sntationS Galore, Says spabS Been Eronssd. CUBARs c FED TO LAY DOWN
 $
 Claims Heroic Measures Are Being Taken to Relieve Suffering. THINKS PEACE COUNCIL WILL PREVAIL Puts Matter lon Basis as Though State of Union Was in Jeopardy and Speaks of the Tender Memories Clustered
 About Island of Cuba.
Claims Heroic Measures Are Being
 Taken to Relieve Suffering.
THINKS PEACE COUNCIL WILL PREVAIL

Washington, April 1.-The Spanish min. fster, Senor Polo Bernabe, was seen at the legation today and consented to talk on the present condition of affairs. He spoke freely and at times with intense earn estness. The interview is authoritative throughout.
 T am still hopeful of peace" said he. "That may seem optimistic at a moment when such passions aroused, such naval and military operations are going on and when the public sentiment seems to be that war is inevitable. I cannot say that base my view that peace will prevail upon any direct or official information. On the contrary it is my individual judg. ment, based solely upon the conviction that in this enlightened day two self-respecting nations, made up of men and women of high aspirations and noble instincts can- not, will not, resort to that last and brutal contingency of war. It would be too wan ton. too criminal, too offensive to all the dictates of civilization and Christianity for such an awful consequence to be brought about To be sure, cannot close my eyes to ascertain obvious circumstances existing both here and in Spain. At times these have inclined me to share the popular view that the relations between the two coun- tries were fast approaching an irreconcila- ble issue. And yet at no time has 1t seemed to me, nor does it seem to me now that that issue has progressed beyond the bounds of 0 reasonable and just set- tlement, alike honorable to both govern- ments.
 Will We Consider One Side
 Consider for moment some of the ele- mentS of the present crisis" the minister went on, speaking with much vigcr Can 1t be possible that your people will con- sider only one side of the case? Let us for moment adanft that there are two sides ito this case. There are always two sides to a case and is it just or fair or chivalrous for your people, borne on by thehr strong and dnnate patriotism to say We are right, Spain Is wrong; that ends ftr In a sptrdt of simple justice why will not thds disposition yield for a moment to calm consideration of both sides of the sea, including some of those factors which are vital and essential to Spain.
 Cuba 4as been a colony of Spain from time immemoriaa- the time of it's dis cOvery by Christopher Cosum bus-arld as 8 part of Spain there is clustered about 1t a reverence almosb sacred. Cuba ds regarded by our people just as you regard one of the states of your union. What would be said If some foreign power satd to the United States that Illinois or Texas or Cardfodna must be free and Independent of the United States? Would mot your very honor be brought in question Of course, cam understand that some one will rise up and say: Yes, but the states are we'll
 
 governed and in a state of insurrection.' There, again, simple justice and fairness demand that there be somthing more than abstract assertion. 10 be sure your Tcess tells of brutal savagery existing in Cuba. I do not wish to deni in ceremony. The time for that has gone by.
 It Does Not Exist
 "But I give you my word that this sav- agery does not exist at all; that all reli- able reports official and unofficial, Spanish and American. agree that whatever may have been the condition of affairs year or two ago, Gen. Blanco has inaugurated a humane and benefcent system characteris- tic of the man. Naturally, with an insur- rection in progress, military affairs have pursued the usual methods of military life. And in this they have been constantly re- strained at all times by the determination to have their operations worthy of an hon- orable nation and an honorable people. That is all Spain has sought to do in put ting down rebellion. It is what any gov- ernment on the face of the earth would do. It seeks no more and no less than to preserve her established rights.
 'Now as to autonomy For some reason intense feeling has been aroused in this country against the home rule regime which Spain has inaugurated in Cuba. It seems to be overlooked in the passion of the moment that this home rule has been the aspiration of the Cubans for years. It seems to be overlooked also that President Cleveland and Secretary Olney urged full measure of home rule as the means likely to bring about a termination of the Cuban conflict. Spain has granted that, granted it with the deepest sincerity. There Is a disposition to find flaws in the details of the plan. Let any one who is anxious to pick flaws and who cares for war, take this home rule plan and examine it in de- tail.
 Chains It Gives Complete Control
 ''Fe will find that 1t gives the Cubans pthe most complete control of their own af- fairs. They have a parliament of their own and cabinet of their own ministers. Is 1t fair. just as thts local parliament and local cabinet Is about to assume complete control of Cuban affairs, to sweep aside this entire system and to declare 1t Is .
 
 Continued on Second Pagsa.