The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-21
Jealous of the Growing Power Of the United
States, He Seeks FOOthOld on the
Western Continent.
An English Explorer Defends Greedy
Against the Charge Of Gannibalism.
Ell Mahdi Again Heard from in the Defeat Of
Friendly Tribes The Cholera Depopu-
lating Villages in France
B1sMARcK,s Latest SCHEME.
A Plan to Establish German Protectorate
over Cuba

"A AtAL 70 ESB8Ol1Sn = N6fA0An HEOteCDOTaG6
Over Cuba.
New YORK, Aug. 20.--5rhe following impor-
tant letter from Madrid has been received by the
New York Times, under date OF Aug 5:
Il have just learned from unquestionable
authority that the Foreign Office has dispensed
with the services Of Mr.. Sidney Webster This
is most astonishing piece Of news Everybody
who familiar with Spanish American diplomacy
Of recent years knows tina Mr.. Sidney Webster
rendered invaluable services to his client He
was and is a Democrat. He is the son-in-law of
Hon. Hamilton Fish. During the greater part
of his life he enjoyed personal and professional
relations with Caleb Gushing and Benjamin F.
Butler. For many years these three men were
political friends, and co-operated in many great
political movements. At time when Spanish
interests in America were seriously threatened
the Spanish Foreign Office had the good sense
to retain Mr.. Sidney Webster as the legal adj
wiser of its legation at Washington. Mr.. Cush-
ing was then, as he remained to the close of his
life, the power behind the throne in the
Foreign Office of the United States
Buffers sympathies were always with the Cuban
insurgents The marvel has always been why
he did not espouse their cause with all his in
tense zeal and throw himself with all his great
power into the struggle That he did not cham
pion the cause of Cuban independence was due
entirely to the influence of Cushing and Web
ster. There were no sordid considerations
pecuniary reasons 1t was pure ood-fellowship
consideration which, if known in all details.
would reflect no discredit on his qualities Of
head and heart cannot, for divers reasons, go
into the details Of those personal, political, and
business relations. but the mere statement of the
facts will show how and why Mr. Sidney Web
ster was enabled to render such effective service
in Spain.
tfT4 - -. IL NJ TT
ability as well as the means to create public SEN
timent in the interest of his client The history
of his manipulation of portion of the press Of
New York city will make an interesting story
some day but the time has not yet come to tell
it. In another way Mr.. Webster was influential
also He was the legal representative of the
great house Of the Rothschilds in the United
States After 1869 he became their political corr
respondent and adviser
But what does this dismissal of Mr. Webster
importa The polite reason was economical
Spain could not afford to pay $12 900 a year even
for the valuable services of Mr. Websterl The
Spanish treasury undoubtedly is far from being
in a plethoric condition But does Mr. Webster's
dismissal mean that Cuba is to be abandoned by
Spain2 Unquestionablyi But to whomq The
negotiation of commercial treaty between
Spain and the United States proceeds slowly
But it is no secret here that this proposed treaty
really means no relief to Cuba and no practical
benefit to the United States. In a previous let
ter I pointed out the dominance at MADRID Of
German influences. In the short time that has
elapsed since that was written have not the oc-
currences in European diplomacy strongly cor
roborated the views advocated : When
a German protectorate is established over Span
ish possessions in the West Iudies all these now
apparently trivial incidents will then appear to
have had the utmost significance, and wise men
will wonder that they did not attach more i'm
portance thereto.
Bismarck is perhaps not unfriendly to the
United States But he Internationally recalled
Minister Eisendecker not because he attended
the funeral Of Herr Lasker, but because Eisen-
decker was supposed to be entirely too friendly
to the United States This know was the view
that the Minister took Of his summary recall 1t
is but natural that Bismarck should view with
some distrust and not "a little anxiety the won
derful growth of the United States. >
The wide-reaching, MISUNDERSTANDING diplomacy
of Bismarck must embrace the United states
The possession Of Cuba as the representative of
Spain would be bold stroke The present is
most favorable opportunity. What could or
would the United States be able to do? Nothing.
Could she do more than protestP