Affairs in Cuba.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 175, 6 March 1896, Page 2

Affairs in Cuba.

Madrid, March 3. Excited meetings have been held • throughout Spain, in which the American action has been fully discussed. Cries of “ Down with America ! ” were frequent, and in consequence of the threatening attitude of the populace a guard was placed over the United States legation. The Minister was absent at an opera in order to avoid the hostility. The Consulate at Barcelona was stoned but the police repulsed theoffenders. In the excitement over the Cuban war local politics are forgotten. A squadron and corps, the latter of 25,000 men, prepared to reinforce. Shipowners are offering privateers. The New Zealand Times’ special cables :—The resolutions passed by the United States Senate are as follow : FOR BELLIGERENT RIGHTS. “ Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the present deplorable war in the island of Cuba has reached a magnitude that concerns all civilised nations to the extent that it should be conducted, if unhappily it is longer to continue, on those principles and laws of warfare that are acknowledged to be obligatory upon civilised nations when engaged in open hostilities, including the treatment of captives who are enlisted in either army, due respects to cartels for exchange of prisoners and for other military purposes, truces and flags of truces, the provision of proper hospitals and hospital supplies and services to the sick and wounded of either army ; be it further “ Resolved, That this representation of the views and opinions of Congress be sent to the President; and if he concurs therein that he will in a friendly spirit use the good offices of t ihis Government to the end that Spain shall be requested to accord to the armies with which it is engaged in war the rights of belligerents as the same are recognised under the law of nations.” The resolutions, which were reported by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, were accompanied by a report, which in part says : “ The Congress of the United States, deeply regretting the unhappy state of hostilities existing in Cuba, which has again been the result of the demand of a large number of the native population of that island for its independence, in a spirit of respect and regard for the welfare of both countries, earnestly desires that the security of life and property and the establishment of permanent peace, and of a Government that is satisfactory to the people of Cuba should be established. SYMPATHY FOR THE PATRIOTS, “ And to the extent that the people of Cuba are seeking the rights of local self government and domestic purposes, the Congress of the United States expresses its earnest sympathy with them.

“ The Congress would also welcome with satisfaction the concession by Spain to complete sovereignty to the people of that island, and would cheerfully give to such a voluntary concession the cordial support of the United States.

“ The near proximity of Cuba to the frontier of the United States, and the fact that it is universally regarded as a part of the continental system of America, identifies that island so closely that the political and commercial welfare of our people that Congress cannot be indifferent to the fact that civil war is flagrant among the people of Cuba.” A minority report was also presented, which, coming down to the present condition of affairs, declares that “ a state of war now exists in Cuba.” The Southern Confederacy, it adds, had been recognised by Great Britain, France, and Spain before a Rattle had been fought. Belligerency is a question of fact, aud should be recognised whenever it in fact exists.