Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21
ENGLAND AND CUBA
How Spain May Secure Great
Britain's Assistance.
FEARS FOR BRITISH POSSESSIONS
Effect Of Cuba's independence on
English West Indies.
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT

A full month ago The Star recorded the
existence of belief in diplomatic circles
here that sooner or later England might be
induced to take an eager interest in the
Cuban question ON Spain's side. 1t was
pointed out that the assertion of American
control or influence In Cuba would make
England uneasy about her own possessions
in those waters, and that in some way
Spain. by playing upon these fears. might
induce England directly or Indirectly to
help her.
Feeling i'm London.
This same note is now heard from Lon
don. The English have kept well advised of
all developments in Cuba. The Times.
which took for awhile only a languid in
terest in the great struggle between China
and Japan, getting half of it's news by way
of the more enterprising New York press.
has had special correspondent in Cuba
almost from the beginning of the present
revolt. and has been printing columns of
his cables and letters. The interest mani
Tested, indeed has been far in excess of the
importance of the subject judged merely
from the standpoint of news, and SO this
enterprise is explained now on the other
lire. England feels that she, too, has some
thing at stake, and is closely and anXiously
following the progress of what she believes
may prove to be the initial step in an am
bilious extension of American territory.
What England Fears.
The news the London Times has been
printing is summarized and commented
on in long letter which New York
newspaper yesterday laid before its
readers from its London correspondent.
The writer of this comment has been in
Cuba, and so feels himself all the more
competent to pass upon the news sent by
the Englishman to the Times. The dread
of the English, it appears, is of the anneXa-
ton of Cuba by the United States, which,
1t is assumed. would inevitably follow the
achievement of Cuban independence. On
this point the London letter printed in New
York says:
Because annexation would inevitably in
volve the conversion Of Cuba into another
prosperous California, English writers, VINO
understand the real condition of their own
West Indian empire, do not wish to have
that result accomplished. They have good
cause for apprehension. Let it be assumed
that Spain cannot succeed in conquering
the rebels, and that Cuba and Porto Rico
will gain their independence and subse-
quently be annexed to the Union. Their
fortunes would at once mend. Their re-
sources would be developed, and their in
dlstries would be made remunerative.
What effect would their prosperity Lave
upon the British West Indies, those neglect
ed and undeveloped estates of the empire,
of which Mr.. Chamberlain has recently
been talking? Their ties to the mother
country, which has done nothing for them
during the last fifty years, would be loosen
gravitation toward the great American re-
public
A Question and an Answer.
But the question is asked in Washington
how. until her West Indian possessions are
actually under menace, can England find
excuse for putting in her oar? 1t is in no
sense her affair as the case now stands
Cuba looks to her for nothing, and whether
there is strict or lax enforcement of the
neutrality laws by this government in the
premises is assuredly none of her business
That is Spain's business.
The answer to this question Is that Eng
land may come forward with a liberal
amount of money. Spain is not only very
poor, but she is finding it difficult to borrow.
The markets abroad are full Of South Afri-
can mining shares, and. whether wisely or
not, they are absorbing all idle capital.
Spain's call goes almost unheeded. Her
needs are most pressing. 1t is estimated
that her campaign in Cuba is costing her
almost two hundred thousand dollars daily.
This would be heavy drain on prosperous
country, with assured surplus. On a
pauper country like Spain it will be ruinous
if not speedily stopped. VIII England come
to the rescue with the necessary cash? Spain
may present the question in the light of
an investment for England. She may point
out that the only way for England to make
sure of holding her own islands in the West
Indies will be to help her, Spain, hold Cuba.
The continuation of Spanish rule in Cuba
will mean the continuation of English rule
on the English soil. If Cuba breaks loose
and throws herself upon American protec-
tion she may draw in her train all Of the
smaller islands that lie in those waters.
England has the money, and there is some
curiosity felt as to whether this view of the
case as presented both by Spain and by En-
glish writer's in Cuba induces her to stake
Spain in the latter's further prosecution CT
the war. If Spain's money fails, the war
fails and IL the war fails Cuba is free