The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-01-20
THE PROSPECT OF WAR.

The President in his annual message
gave history of our relations with
Spain concerning Cuba, and, in consld-
Grafton of some pending discussions,
suggested that in future message lie
would lay before Congress the results,
which he expected would be satisfactory
It is understood that the President has
addressed note to the principal Eu-
ropean Powers indicating or proposing
some line of policy to be adopted by the
United States, alone or jointly with 9th
er. nations, touching the war in Crba.
What that note is has never been disclo-
sed, though it is given out that it has
met with the approval of England, iitnot
of other Governments in Europe. The
country is left to conjecture not only as
to what the character of that note is, but
as to the extent which it is calculated to
place the United States in hostile atti-
tude towards Spain. All that the conn
try has to Judge from are the things out
of the ordinary conrse which have occur
red and are now taking place. Spain
has appointed ,Jovellar to the supreme
command in Cuba, and has sent thither
large supply of guns, which, being
unsuitable to the war with the insnrrec-
tionists, must be intended for some 9TH
er purpose Jovlelar is considered the
ablest military man in Spain, and his
dispatch to Cuba at this time indicates
that more than an ordinary emergency
exists for his services. Unquestionably,
the Island of Cuba will be placed in
strong condition of defense.
In the meantime, our Government has
been somewhat active in naval mat
ters. During the fall months there
was general overhauling oS the naval
vessels, and considerable activity in re-
pair and making them suitable for ser
vice at sea. Admiral Rodgers has been
ordered from California to take command
of an Atlantic squadron. Port Royal,
in South Carolina, has been made nav
al depot. and the Atlantic fleets have
been ordered to rendezvous at that
point. Several thousand tons of coal
have been delivered at Key West, and
six Thousand tons are on their way to
Port Royal. Work on the donble-tur-
reted monitors has been resumed. The
concentration of the naval force of the
United States at the South Atlantic
ports, and within easy distance of Cuba,
and the evidently industrious fortified
ton of the island by the Spaniards, I'M
der an able military commander, are,
in the absense Of any other explanation,
gave signs that both sides are preparing
for the consequences of diplomatic
failure to arrange difficulties. Judging
from the tone and language of the Presi-
dents message in December last, there
is no direct controversy between the
United States and Spain, save what may
grow out of the character of the Cuban
war, which may suggest the intervention
of other nations. The Preside in that
message discussed the measures of re-
cognizing the independence of the Gu
bans, and of extending them beligerent
rights, and thus commented on the 9th
er policy which might become a neces-
sity:
1.-THE recognition of independence or
OF belligerency being thus, in my judg
ment, equally inadmissible, it remains
to consider what course shall be adopted
should the conflict not soon be brought
to an end by acts of the parties them
selves, and should the evils which result
particularly the United States, continue
er nations will be compelled to assume
the responsibility which devolves upon
them, and to seriously consider the only
ton and Intervention.
After referring to offers ON the part
of the United States to mediate, which
offers were declined by Spain, the Presi-
dent concluded as follows
persuaded, however, that q proper
regard for the interests of the United
States and of its citizens entities it to re-
lief from the strain to which they have
been subjected by the difficulties of the
questions and the wrongs and losses
which arise from the contest in Cuba,
and that the interests of humility itself
demand the cessation of strife before the
whole island shall be laid waste and lar
ger sacrifices of life be made, / shall feel
it my duty, should my hopes of salts
factory adjustment and of the early res
toration of peace, and the removal of
future causes of complaint, be nnhappily
disappointed, to make a further COM
munication to Congress at some period
not far remote, and during the present
session, recommending what may then
seem TO be necessary"
This promised message from the Presi-
dent is now not only daily expected,
but, in the light of the seeming prepar-
atoms for war, is looked for with some
anxiety. Has the President, after con-
sultation with other nations, reached the
conclusion that tie time has come when
the interests of humanity demand that
the strife in Cuba shall cease In such
case he proposes to lay the question of
1nterventlOn-and it must be armed in
tervention of war-before Congress, up
on which body will devolve the respon-
sibility of authorizing it. Ifthe reports
be true, England has approved this pol
icy of int ervention, but whether it De
scheme of joint intervention, or general
Intervention, or Intervention by the
United States alone, must remain I'M
known until the President shall make
his communication to Congress.
1t may be that both parties are pre-
pairing for contingency that may not
srise, and that after all, whatever the
negotiations may be, peaceful and sat
isfactory Arrangement may be reached.
Chicago Tribune.