The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-15
POWERS AGAIN.
Concluded from First Page)

9th of November, 1897. while at the same
time the government of her Majesty de-
clared that it would not withdraw, nor con-
sent that there should be withdrawn, any
thing from the colonial liberties, franchises
and privileges accorded
THE repeal of the decree of reconcen-
tration, the aid of all kinds, which the gov
eminent of her Majesty has granted and
has permitted to be given to the reconcen-.
trados, have put an end to a lamentable
state of affairs which was the inevitable
consequence of the bloody conflict provoked
by a small minority of the sons OF Cuba,
directed and supported principally by for
eign influences.
'No impartial mind which has full knowl
edge of the facts, so distorted as they have
been and are actually, in everything re-
ferring to the Cuban question, can. with
justice. charge Spain with being reniss in
seeking the means for pac!fying the island,
or grudging in the concession OF privileges,
liberties and franchises for the welfare AID
happiness of its inhabitants.
The government of her Majesty does not
doubt that the government of the United
States must recognize this, as it Will recog-
nize the manifest injustice with which
part of public opinion in this country pre-
sumes to find responsibilities for Spain in
the horrible catastrophe which occurred In
the port of Havana on the unhappy night
of the 18th of February last. Her Majesty
ment, the governor general of Cuba, the
insular government and all the principal
authorities of Havana manifested from the
first moment the profound sentiments of
horror which that immense misfortune
caused them and the sympathy which on
that most sad occasion bound them to the
American government aid people. The
proofs of this were the visits of the charge
d'affaires of her Majesty to the illuStrious
President of the United States, those of
the highest Spanish functionaries of state
to MIR. Woodford, the unstinted aid given
to the victims, as we'll as the funeral ar
rangen ents provided by the municipality
of Havana, and the notes addressed to the
Department of State by this legation OIL the
18th and 18th of February and the I'd of
this month, Nos. y, 10, IA and 80, respective
ly. The officers and crews of the vessels
of war of her Majesty near the Maine, dis
regarding the evident danger which threat
ened them. as the officers of that American
battle ship recognized, Immediately lowered
their boats and saved number of the
drowning, who only owe their lives to the
prompt and efficacious aid of the Spanish
sailors.
1T is strange that these notorious facts
and these solemn manifestations appear to
he forgotten by public opinion, which gives
credit OH the other hand to the most absurd
and offensive hypothesis.
The government of her Majesty would
be deeply grateful to the justice and cour
tesy cf that of tie United States if it
should re-establish officially the truth of
facts which appear to he ignored or not
appreciated. and ignorance of which con-
tributes so powerfully TO maintain the ex-
traordinary excitement which .endangers.
relations between the two nations.
with reference to the question of fact
which results from the diversity of opinion
between the reports of the Spanish and
North American commissions, the govern
ment of her Majesty, which, as yet does
not know the official text of these opinions.
has FASTENED to declare itself ready to sub
NIT the question TO the decision of Impair
tial and disinterested experts. accepting in
advance the decision of the arbitrators
named by both parties-an evident proof of
the loyalty and good faith with which Spain
SionS.
THE minister Of Spain trusts that those
manifestations, inspired by the loyal desire
for peace and concord which animate the
government of her Majesty will be appre-
ciated at their just value by the President
and government of the United States.
''WAShinPtnn 10th of Anril. ~