The herald., 1898-03-17
ASCRIBED TO ACTION OF THE
UNITED STATEle
THE CRUISERS AT KEY WEST
Are Not Likely to Be Withdrawn at
the Suggestion Of the Spanish
Cabinet
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Marcn 10-IHe pun
lished semi official statement of the
Spanish Cabinets view as to the re-
sponsibility of the United States in the
Cuban situation has created profound
impression here. Officials decline to dis
cuss it publicly but there is general be-
lief among them that the publication
marks the beginning of new chapter
in the troubled relations between the
United States and Spain. The statement
is believed to be a first step towards
forming public opinion in Europe IN
anticipation of a failure on the part OF
the Spanish officials to make success
Of the autonomous program which it
had outlined and that an attempt is to
be made to place the responsibility upon
the United States for any failure that
may follow. This movement Is re-
garded as adding much to the gravity of
the situation at the present time.
That the administration will be in
fluenced by the suggestion that the
presence of the fleet of the North At
lantic squadron at Key West is dis
turbing factor, is not believed for mo-
ment. Visible evidence of that determi-
nation was the ceaseless activity OF the
naval officials as we'll as the steady
prosecution Of the plans of the War
Department.
Although the Secretary of the Navy is
still pursuing with vigor his quest for
suitable warships that may be pur-
chased in Europe, beyond those already
secured at the Armstrong works further
acquisitions have not been made.
At the Navy Department high Off
cal said 'It is said there do not seem
to be any ships in the market. This is
not exactly the idea we want to be con-
veyed. There are a large number of
ships in the market and many of them
have been offered to the department, but
unfortunately the vessels are unsuitable
in general character for naval service or
else are so far from completion as to be
undesirable purchases. Perhaps better
success may attend the departments eff
forts now that Captain Brownson has
arrived in Europe"
NOT A PROTEST
WASHINGTON, March 1e.-The war
preparations being made by the United
States, the assembling of ships at Key
w est, tHe puICudSG VI u dOA otiu
and the emergency measures in the War
and Navy Departments have come to
the official attention of the Spanish gov
ernment, and the views of the Spanish
Cabinet thereon have been communicate
ed to the State Department here. This
has not taken the form Of protest how
ever, as it does not appear that the
Spanish government claims or asserts
the right to question such measures as
the United States might adopt, even
though they be of character to indi-
cate preparations for war. 1t is rather
by way Of representations, conveyed in
a friendly spirit and without threat, as
to the serious influences which these
preparations will have in encouraging
the Cuban insurgents at the moment
when the autonomy plan is to have it's
crucial test through the Cuban cleo
tions, and in this way defeat the re-
forms Premier Sagasta is seeking to
carry out.
1t has been specially pointed out that
the presence of large fleet Of United
States warships at Key West cannot
be regarded as a friendly measure, as
the sending of ships was officially rep
resented to be when the Maine went to
Havana, and the Vizcaya returned the
complimentary visit. In short, the
presence of this extensive fleet near
Cuba, together with the war measures
taken by the United States, is regarded
by Spain as seriously prejudicial to the
policy of autonomy which Spain and the
United States have alike approved, and
an indirect encouragement to the in
surgents in defeating the desires of both
governments for the success of that
policy. Finally, and in the same spirit
of friendly representation, Spain has
pointed out that war by the United
States against Spain, under such cir
cumstances would be unjustifiable be-
fore the world and a crime against
humanity and civilization. The repre-
sentations contained no reference what
ever to the Maine disaster or the redress
or indemnity therefor.
IN THE PHILIPPINES
NEW YORK, March 16.-A dispatch
to the Herald from Manila says:
The Philippine rebels surrounded the
cable station at Bilinao on March 7th,
and forty-three Spanish soldiers were
killed. A steamer which was sent on
March Sth to relieve the garrison, was
obliged to return owing to a renewal of
the fusillade. Four priests and garri-
sons of neighboring towns We're massa-
cred.
Bilinao was subsequently relieved by
General Morel. The insurgent loss was
heavy. One Spanish lieutenant and one
soldier were killed.
Three gunboats and one steamer left
Manila on March 10th for Bilinao with
troops and artillery.
The European cable operators are
safe.
The provinces of Tarlao, Pangasan and
Zambales are in open rebellion and it is
feared others will follow their lead.
1t is reported that Aguinaldo and other
rebel leaders have landed from Hong
Kong with 5000 troops.
Artillery has been sent to the provinces
within the last three days and at Manila
few troops are left.
The situation throughout is critical