The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-06
STILL H0PEFULN OF PEACE
THE SPANISH MINISTER MAKES AN
 OFFICIAI STATEMENT.


 and Self Respecting Nations Will Resort
 to the Last and Brutal Expedient of War
 to Settle Their Dinerences-Bernabe
 Makes an Argument Against Interven-
 tion-speaks on Autonomy Also.
 Washington, April 5-The Spanish
 minister, Polo y Bernabe, was seen at
 the Spanish legation to-day and con-
 scented to talk on the present condition
 of affairs. He spoke freely and at
 times with intense earnestness. The
 interview is authoritative throughout.
 ''I am still hopeful of peace," said he.
 ''That may seem optimistic at a mo-
 ment when such passions are aroused,
 such naval and military operations are
 going on, and when the current of
 public sentiment seems to be that war
 is inevitable. cannot say that I 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 these enlightened days two
 self-respecting nations. made up of
 men and women df high aspirations
 and noble instincts, cannot and will
 not resort to the last and brutal ex-
 pedient of war It would be too wan.
 ton, too criminal, too offensive, to all
 the dictates of civilization and Chris
 tianity for such an awful consequence
 to be brought about. I cannot close
 my eyes to certain obvious circum-
 stances existing both here and in
 Spain. At times these have inclined
 me to share the popular view that the
 relations between the two countries
 were fast approaching an irreconcila-
 ble state. And yet at no time has it
 seemed to me, nor does it seem to me
 now, that that issue has progressed
 beyond the bounds of reasonable and
 governments.
 Consider for moment some of the elements of this present crisis,' the
 minister went on, speaking with much vigor. Can it be possible that your
 people will consider only one side of the case? Let us for moment admit that there are two sides to this case.
 There are always two sides to a case,
 and is it just or fair or chivalrous for
 your people, borne on by their strong and innate patriotism, to say, We are
 right, Spain is wrong, that ends it?'
 In a spirit of simple justice why will
 not this disposition yield for a mo-
 ment to calm consideration of both
 sides of the case including some of those factors which are vital and eS-
 sential to Spain? Cuba has been a
 colony of Spain from time immemorial from the time of the discovery by
 Christopher Columbus, and as a part
 of Spain there is clustered about it a
 reverence almost sacred. Cuba is re-
 garded by our people just as you re-
 gard one of the states of your Union.
 What would be said if some foreign
 power said to the United States that Illinois or Texas or California must be free and independent of the United States? Would not your very honor be brought in question? Of course, I can understand that some one will rise up and say, Yes. but the states are
 well governed and are at peace, while | Cuba is misgoverned and in a state of | insurrection.' There again, simple jus | tice and fairness demand that there | be something more than abstract as- sertion. To be sure, your press tells | of brutal savagery existing in Cuba. l | do not wish to deal in discrimination. | The time for that has gone by.
 | "But I give you my word that this | savagery does not exist at all, that all | reliable reports, official and unofficial | Spanish and American agree. that whatever may have been the condition | of affairs a year or two ago, General l Blanco has inaugurated a humane and | beneficient system, characteristic of the
 man. Naturally with an insurrection | in progress military affairs have pur- | sued the usual methods of military life. | And in this they have been constantly restrained at all times by the deter imitation to have their operations wor- | thy of an honorable nation and an | honorable peopel. That is all Spain has sought to do in putting down a re- | bellion. It is what any government on | the face of the earth would do. It | seeks no more and no less than to pre- serve her established rights.
 Now as to autonomy, for some req son intense feeling has been aroused nj this country against the home rule regime which Spain has inaugurated in l Cuba. It seems to be overlooked, in 1 the passion of the moment, that home | rule has been the aspiration of the Gu | bans It seems to be overlooked also l that President Cleveland and Secretary | Olney urged full measure of home 1 rule as the means likely to bring about | termination of the Cuban cont1over- sy. 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 He will find that it gives the Gu | bans the most complete control of their | own affairs. Is it fair, just as this I local parliament and local cabinet is i about to assume complete control of | Cuban affairs, to sweep aside this en- | tire system and to declare that it Is a 1 failure before it has been even tried. 1 Plain justice dictates that system of | home rule, brought forth after the 1 deepest solicitude and consideration and based upon what the Cubans them l selves have long desired and on what l the United States government deemed ] most fitting as a settlement should not | be lightly dismissed on representations of the press or even on the representa- | tions of men of sober judgment
 | "As to the reconcentrados, can only ! say that the decrees of concentration