SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES. RELATIONS STILL STRAINED

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 16

SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES. RELATIONS STILL STRAINED

Havana, May 11. General Weyler, the Spanish commander-ia-cbief, will resign unless the death sentence on the orew of the Competitor is carried out, -Washinoton, May 11. The United States Government have ordered the battalion In Florida to propiuv, for action, and have sent orders to the navy to assemble in the event of the Spanish Government refusing to give way to President Cleveland's ultimatum. Madhid, May 11. Impartial opinion in the city is to the effect that the United States is seeking to pvovoka war, and that it would be better to bring matters to a head immediately. May 12. The Piemier admits that the Cuban rebellion must result in autonomy being granted. Mere reforms wonld be useless. Tns United States Government again demand an indemnity for the planters. The Spanish Council will finally-deter-mine what shall be the . sentence of the prisoners. May 13. Qaeen Christina, in her speech at the opening of the Cortes, said that she recognised President Cleveland's loyal friendship despite the unfriendly efforts of a section of the American public. The rebellion in Cuba is declining, but aid which the Cubans were receiving from abroad prevented it being thoroughly quelled. May 17. Fifty thousand reinforcements will be sent to Cuba in the autumn. New York, May 12. The Spanish Government have postponed a decision with regard to the death sentences on four of the Competitor's crew until the bearing of treaties with the United States has been considered. The New York Herald says that if the men are executed it will be impossible to prevent war. Oae of the treaties between the two connwie3 guarantees civil trial unleaß men are takf n in armgf Ths incident has aroused intense feoling throughout the States. Tha Spanish Government hate agreed to a fresh trial of the Competitor's crew by the ordinary court, and the difficulty between the United States and Spain may be regarded as settled.

Since the war began tho Spanish troops in Cuba have lo3fc 3877 men, 286 having beon killed in battle, IL9 having succumbed ■ to wounds, and 3190 having perished from yellow feV'.r, aud 282 having died from various cauars Up to the present Spain hat sent 118 000 men to Cuba, aud by the end of March iki standing army was to consist of 130,000 mpn During "the entire campaign £10,000,000 have been spent;, ■ iacluding two for tb.B cost; of armament, purchase of new gunboats and transport. From the end of March the* yearly cosb of the campaign was expected to be £15,000,000.