Mr. Calderon y Collantes replied, dwelling with much force and some
bitterness on the incidents of that campaign, which seems to be a sore point
with the Marquis de la Habana. The minister of war made a few remarks in
answer to allusions, and the debate was adjourned over until to-day.
I send you copy of the Gaceta’s appendix with the report of the proceedings,
and also append translation of the remarks of the general and the minister
concerning the relations between Spain and the United States.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Extracts from the speeches of General Concha and Mr.
Calderon y Collantes, in the Senate, December 2, 1876.
[From the Gaceta de
Madrid, December 3, 1876.]
The Marquis de la Habana (General Concha): * * * Mention has been made of the perils and
complications which the continuance of the war may cause with the United
States. This is a very important and serious point, and the more so
because of the deplorable declarations of the minister of state on the
occasion of a parliamentary incident which occurred when I had the honor
to request of the minister of war certain documents which I considered
indispensable.
With what reason or right can this war of bandits, without a political
banner of any kind, be the cause of complications with the United
States? What, has not the republic of the United States in its history a
war analogous to that of Cuba, which lasted fourteen years? If
complications arise with the United States, the minister of state finds
his path traced out for their solution; if there be a fact of doubtful
right, let him treat it with the desire of reaching an honorable
settlement; but if, unfortunately, the rights, the dignity, or the
integrity of Spain be attacked, let him answer, not haughtily, but with
energy, in accordance with the sentiments of the junta of generals.* But this can not occur, for there are no statesmen in
the American nation who can to-day wish to annex Cuba at the risk of a
war with Spain. For my part, I am convinced that this dread which
assails the minister of state is really a grave danger, for instead of a
frank and friendly policy with the United States it will lead to a
suspicious and distrustful policy, the policy of fear, which is the
worst of all.
The same thing took place when the question of belligerence was treated
in Congress; there were some who deemed Cuba lost, and others who
boastfully, and without any necessity for it, went to work to enumerate
the sea and land forces of Spain. I was then captain-general of Cuba,
and I never gave to that question more importance than it possessed,
because I knew that there would not be taken by the American Government
a step so contrary to all international law.
Let the minister of state read the communications which exist; in his
department, and he will see that I never expressed myself alarmed
because of the discussion of that question in Congress, and that there
is not a single reclamation against me for having failed in my duty
toward foreign subjects, without this in any way interfering with my
taking the necessary steps against those who openly infringed the laws
of the land. Behold, Messrs. Senators, what is my understanding of our
position with respect to Cuba, and what good reason I have to be
surprised at the words of the minister of state, which of themselves
alone would carry disheartenment to the inhabitants of Cuba, were not a
protest uttered in this place, and did not all of you join with me in
saying, “It is not possible; there is no peril for Spain.”
* * * * * * *
The Minister of State (Calderon y Collantes): * * * And after all, what plans has
General Concha revealed which were not known before? If he has spoken
for the purpose of throwing light on the question, then I confess that
for me he has thrown no light on it at all. He says the war is difficult
and cannot be decided in two or three battles. I, gentlemen, a poor
civilian, and ignorant of war matters, have learned nothing thereby, for
more than a year ago, in a memorandum addressed to the foreign powers, I
said the same thing as General Concha, and that is, that just because
the war was irregular, one of genuine vandalism, it offered greater
difficulties in ending it; and I cited the wars in the United States,
the Russian wars on the frontier of Asia, and what occurred in Cataluna
when 4,000 or 5,000 men kept up a war for eleven months in spite of our
army being commanded by one of the first generals of Europe, by the
illustrious Marquis del Duero,† and was it ended by force of arms?
No; you well know that it was not, and I say no more.
That memorandum opened men’s eyes and put a stop to astonishment at the
war’s lasting so long, and it became understood that it did not indicate
vigor on the part of the insurgents or lack of means on ours.
* * * * * * *
General Concha has also spoken of our relations with the United States
and of words which I had spoken in this place. I accept all the
responsibility, and I am about to repeat them, because I think it
convenient to do so. I said that the insurrection in Cuba was a peril
for Spain, but not in the sense in which General Concha thinks. Without
the United States thinking they have any right to interfere in the Cuban
war, which is a mere insurrection, may not controversies arise leading
to war in another
[Page 492]
way? Was
there any need of belligerent recognition at the time of the tremendous
controversy of the Virginius? Does General Concha know what was done in
that question, which might have caused grave disasters for our country?
For one of the glories I have pleasure in recognizing, one of the titles
to the gratitude of the nation which belongs to Mr. Castelar, is his
avoidance on that occasion of a war which was believed to be imminent.
Who can assure General Concha that to-morrow, by reason of the war in
Cuba, there may not occur some similar event and from which we may not
come out as luckily as we did from the case I have just mentioned? For
the present moment I see no probable conflict with any nation; but a
year and a half ago we were environed by them. I know what it has cost
to avert them, and I can give assurance that never have the relations of
Spain With the United States been more intimate and friendly than
to-day.
