Springfield Weekly Republican

WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH SPAIN

On Humanitarian Grounds - Calm Concerning the Maine.

From Our Special Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, D. C., Tuesday, March 1.

The United States have made, through Minister Woodford, some efforts to arbitrate between Spain and the insurgents, and the effort has properly been made to leave in doubt the action to be taken in case these offers were rejected. Recent developments have made it clear that the administration do not propose to go to war on behalf of the insurgents merely upon humanitarian grounds. If Spain insists that she will not brook any sort of interference with her subjects in Cuba the United States will not insist upon interference by the sword. Secretary Olney accomplished much in securing proposals for autonomy from the Spanish cabinet, including the right of Cuba to propose her own tariff, subject to approval by the home government, and this autonomous tariff will be the subject of discussion between a commissioner who will soon be in Washington for consultation with the state department.

One of the rumors set afloat to-day was that the time allowed the Spanish government for bringing the insurrection to an end expired with the beginning of the month of March. This report was emphatically denied by a high official. It has undoubtedly been the desire of the administration that the Spanish government should act with sufficient energy to terminate the insurrection during the present military season, if it was to be terminated at all. The military season does not end until the beginning of wet weather in May, and if there is any limit upon the exercise of Spanish sovereignty in Cuba set by this government it undoubtedly runs until that time. There has been a belief until recently that the United States might interfere in some vigorous manner if the insurrection was still formidable at the close of the military season. This belief has been shaken by recent declarations of those close to the president. It now appears to be his purpose to avoid war with Spain over the condition of Cuba in any case.

Spain will be required to make proper reparation for the disaster to the Maine, if the report of the board of inquiry justifies a demand upon her, but this demand will be absolutely distinct from any attempt to dictate her policy toward her rebellious subjects.

Secretary Long added his testimony to-day to the concurrent judgment that the situation in regard to the blowing up of the Maine is growing less exciting than was the case a week ago. The declaration of the secretary was limited to the proposition that there was no official participation of the Spanish government in the causes of the disaster. This has almost gone without saying from the beginning so far as direct responsibility in the tragedy was concerned, but has some significance if it refers to the assurances of Senor Du Bosc, the Spanish charge d'affaires, that there are no mines in Havana harbor. The statement of Senor Du Bosc has been questioned in some quarters in view of torpedo trials which were reported in the harbor some weeks ago, but Gov Long's declaration would seem to indicate that the statement was not questioned by our government. Secretary Long is not satisfied with the loose talk of various navy officers regarding the causes of the explosion, whether they have taken the side that it was due to internal causes or to external ones, and he has issued instructions that they shall not anticipate the official report of the board of inquiry by any further discussion in the press.

Mrs Long, wife of the secretary of the navy, is earnestly at work upon the relief fund for the officers and men of the Maine, and has already raised $1758. Many local society people and nearly all the army and navy families are among the contributors. A collection of pennies has just reached Mrs Long from the District of Columbia industrial home school, with a letter from the boys, declaring that they are too young to go to war, but wish they were big enough, and send some of their pennies to help along.