The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-06
SPANISH MINISTER
PRESENTS HIS SIDE.
Thinks There VIII he Peace, and
Denies That Spain 10 PPactic.
Ing Cruelties in Caba.

Denies That Spain 10 practice
lag Crselties In Cabs.
WASHINGTON, April s.-The Spanish
minister. Senior Polo y Bernabe. was seen
al the Spanish legation today. and con-
Sented TO talk on the present condition of
affairs. He spoke freely and at times
with intense eafnestness The interview is
authoritative throughout:
..I am SIN hopeful Of peace" said he.
Inat nay seem optimistic AT 4 moment
when such passions are aroused. such ma
val and military operations are going on.
ana when ths currept Of public sentiment
not say that I base my view that peace
Ean prevail Upon any direct or cfricikl IN
CONVICTION that II these enlightened ned" days s!;
men and Eomen OF high aspirations and I'd
70 that last and brutal expedient of war.
70 be sure. ! cannot CLOSE my eyes to GER
tain obvious circumstance emitting both
Hcnsd me to snare the popular n view e ,ass
the relations Of the two countries were fast
approaching an lrreconoilable Issue. And
yet. At no time has II seemed to me. nor
Beyond The bounds 81 a reasonable and
Just settlement. alike honorable 70 both
govsrnm{nts.
can It be possible that your people win
consider only one side OF the case? There
are always two sides to 4 case. ara Is II
just or fair or. chivalr0hs for your people
lam. TO say. We're right: spain is wrong
That ends it,
Cuba has been colony of Spain from
ls ms IN the ns Of an ss
- part of Spain thsre Is clustered about
II q reverence that IL almost sacred.
cuba u REGARDED BY our people lust as
Union. What would be said II some FOR
eeian power said 10 the United States that
Illinois. or Texas or California must go
etatesg Would moi your very honor be
brought into. question? or course. I can
understand that some one win rise up and
and are at peace. While Cuba is m;ssov-
erned and In state OF insurrection.'
Then. again. simple Justice and fairness
abstract assertion. Your press s'y tells Of
brutal savagers existing In Cuba. l do
NOT wish to deal In recfimination. But /
rve ye my Word that Tits does
official and unofficial. Spanish and Agneri-
can. agree that, whatever may have been
the condition OF affairs a year or two
ago. Den. Blaneo has inausuratcd hu-
name and beneficial system characteristic
of the man. Naturally. with an insurrec-
ton In progress. military anairs have pur-
sued the usual methods of military life.
And In this they have been restrained at
ell times by the determination TO have
their operations worthy OF an honora Die
nation and an honorable people. That Is
all Spain has sought 10 do In putting down
a resellion. i: Is what any government,
on the face OF the earth would do.
overlooked In the passing OF the moment
that this home rule has been the insnira-
ton OF tins Cuban for years. Spain has
sfnesraty ap ssss the @' cubs s ache the
most cemplete control of their own af-
fairs. They have parliament OF their
own and a cabinet OF their own ministers
and local cabinet IL about 10 assume com
piata control OF cuban affairs TO sweep
aside this entire SYSTEM and 10 declare
that /; Is failure before IL has even been
trsede II the United States say that this
home rule IL not success. ] reply, Your
opportunities for lnvss,sa,ion have not
heen adequate. and moreover, success or
failure cannot he Judged before system
has been tried ana when It's initial stere
have been attended by difficulties not ossly
without tepaing 10 defeat the very end
sought. Even though We may differ In
this, at lesst We should agree that the
Judgment of one shsuid not ne forced ar
bitrarily upon the ether. For the mo-
naent II seems 1s though this equitable
view was Sc; aside. and instead We hear
autonomy Ia 4 failure. We say SO. That
ends IL, Spain must rot say that she H.
either sincere or that the pan is a sue
eess New. IL SUCH an attitude consistent
with the usual process Of considering
both sides OF \ question: IAN y sssls-Fe~
speesing nation adta; of such con
sampsueus disposition OF a policy she has
presented In the interest OF peace and
prosperity for Cubas
e'As 10 the recoGeeatrsdos, while there
is no doubt 90 the misery Of their conti-
ton the government is making the most
heroic efforts 70 alleviate thss condition.
As 20 the insurgents. they have borne
arms against Spain for shrse years. en-
failing terrible lees OF life and money
Net. believing those men tn b. misguided.
the government has sought 10 regain their
confidence. | fully recognize tss earnest
mesa patriotism and intense vsgor OF the
American people, but | fee. that IL II not
irapFaner for ne 70 suggest tina: at such
"A profoundly solemn ucnenf earnestnssS
and strength should be tempered with a
calm judgment saa a disposition 20 lock
az ee;h sides or tire question. and not 10
ore side -