The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-29
W ashingtOn Letter.
From our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1895

WASHINGTON, March Is, 1895
A verbatim report of Mr.. Cleve-
lands conversation with Secretary
Gresham concerning the diplomatic
happenings of the past week would
unquestionably make what the late
Horace Greedy would have called
mighty interesting" reading, but AS
neither of the principals in that in
terview are likely to tell what was
said the country will have to wag
along without the knowledge. It has
leaked out, however, that Mr.. Cleye-
land thinks it would have been just
as we'll had Secretary Gresham, who is
still far from well, not been in such
hurry to prepare and send that de-
mand to the government of Spain,
and that he would have been engaged
in trying to nurse back his strength.
Allowing that the facts are as they
have been stated hv tho captain and
other officers OF the Alliance, the
language of Secretary Gresham's de-
mand for an apology from Spain and
for the issuing of such orders to the
commanders of Spanish warships rs
will make it certain that no other
vessel flying The L. s. flag and en-
gagged i'll legitimate business will be
fired upon was all right. although un-
necessarily strong; tut there was no
occasion for sucl, undue haste. AM
ericans with all their ether faults are
credited by all the world with love OF
fair play 1t is therefore unfortunate
that an American Secretary OF State
has been guilty Of threatening a
weaker nation upon an ex-parte state
ment of a case, in the face, too. Of ali
assurance from the Spanisl, minister
that he would present a statement Of
the other side as soon as the Spanish
authorities III Cuba could communi-
cate with the gunboat which is charg-
ed with having fired at the Alliance:
and of the further assurance from the
Spanish minister that his country
would apologize if the firing had
taken place as charged unless it could
be justified in a manner satisfactory
to this government. While is was
thoroughly undiplomatic for the
Spanish minister to have publicly cri-
ticized Secretary Gresham's action,
in ignoring his assurances and making
direct demand, which really i. an
ultimatum, upon Spain, it certainly
is not surprising. One does not cease
to be man upon becoming diplo-
mat, whether he be a Spaniard or an
American.
1t is not difficult to put ones finger
on the reason for Secretary Gresham's
hasty action. Nor is that reason cred
liable to him from any point OF view.
His action is nothing more or loss
than on attempt to restore to the
present administration the popularity
which il has by its incompetence lost
by putting it in the position Of cham
pioning the American flag. He knew
there was no danger jim sending q bum
combe ultimatum to Spain, which
would necessarily submit to any hum
iliation to avoid war with the United
States. He acted hastily because he
feared that if he waited reasonable
time the matter andwould be explained
the opportunity to tickle the jingoistic
faculty (Which notwithstanding their
love of money is a prominent national
trait) of the American people, would
| be forever lost. 1t is rather late for
this administration to try to pose as the
protector OF anything American, either
abroad or at home, after having turned
over much of our manufacturing to
foreigners and even allowed q syadi.
cate of foreign bankers to raid the U.
S. Treasury. The people of this coun-
try know what real republican protec-
ton, at home and abroad, is, and they
cannot be taken in by any such rank
counterfeit as that now put forward
by Secretary Gresham.
David b. Hill-not the senior Sena-
tor from New York, but . tramp from
nowhere-is serving a sentence OF
fifteen days in the Washington work
house, because he could not pay . fine
lof $5, which was imposed upon him
in the police court, for being drunk
and disorderly and trying to make
bed of the sidewalk.
4 The Commissioner Of Pensions has
met another defeat in court, and It Is
the belief of lawyers that it fufnishet
precedent for the restoration ofcyery
.lpension which has been reduced or
stopped since Dec. II, 1895, until sitter
| the pensioner has been served With the
!, Illegal thirty days notice containing q
afull and true statement Of any