The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-10

THE TROUBLE II AT HOME

A very signi1can, feature Of the anti
American riots In Spain. Is that prominent
republicans have IN many places been
recognized as the leaders OF the MODS,
and in every place the rioters in great part
were made up Of the students OF the uni
vsrsifies. a class which in European coun-
tries is always recognized as being inocu-
lated with republican and revolutionary
ideas. These facts show peculiar anc
dangerous difficulty with which the gov
eminent of Spain has 10 contend In deal
ing with the United States in the critical
condition OF affairs.
The present dynasty in Spain has none
too secure a tenure. The personal popu-
iarity OF the queen regent Ia really its
greatest element of strength. The repuo-
iican element. which. within the last gen.
Grafton. has three times subverted the
crown. has been quiet for the past few
years. but has always been recognized as
a formidable menace 10 the monarchy.
The fact rhat the late riots were fomenfed
and encouraged by leaders OF the republic
ans. IL well calculated to cause the Span
sion The situation is a critical and en-
harrassing one. There is no question that
the government would go to any length
consistent with national honor. and the
retention OF some form OF Spanish control
over Cuba rather than risk war with
the United States. the certain outcome of
which would be disastrous defeat and ma
tionaI bankruptcy to Spain and the loss Of
the last shadow of claim to her sole
remaining American province.
The members Of the Spanish cabinet are
men OF at least ordinary ability and COM
mon sense. They do not require to he told
what the outcome of a war would be be-
tween their worn out. bankrupt and Grip
pied country. torn with Internal dissen-
sioBs. and one of the strongest. richest.
largest and most courageous nations OF the
world. and they know also that there Is
nothing in the present situation of affairs
which, under the most QuiSotic ideas as
to the preservation OF national honor.
would render 1t necessary for Spain TO
enter on such war.
The recognition by congress of the Gu
ban insurgents as belligerants could never
alone he considered as sufficient cause
Of war. although II prematurely done. 1t
might be looked upon as an uDfriendly act.
There is nothing in the resolutions passed
By either house of congress which war
rants the assumption that the United
States means TO interpose by force in Gu
ha. or TO render the patriot party there
any material aid or encouragement In
their struggle for liberty. or In any man
ner TO do that which I'm effect might be
construed as an act of war. Certainly
there Is no pronounced sentiment in this
country. either in or out Of congress. de-
handing such action.
n this were all the Spanish government
deal with. the question of war be-
tween the ccur 'rt'a might be put entirely
to one side. "a being beyond probability
hut the serious situation which that gov
eminent has 10 face is at home The
turbulent. excitahle popnlace have never
learned to recognize that the days Of
! Spanish glory and military prowess have
| gone by forever. They have no fears as 10
the result OF a coriict with any Of the
/ powers OF the earth. ana particularly In
| their ignorance they look upon the Unit
| Ell States as but lately revolted colony
| Of Great Britain. with which Spain would
| have no difficulty in dealing
It Is apparent from 'hc dispatches that
the republican revolutionary element is
Systematically AZ work among the lower
| classes Of the Spanish people. fomentiax
| this auu-American spirit not SO much
| TO bring about conflict with this coun-
/ try. as 10 afrori a pretext fer revolution
| AIRY uprising shont1 the Spanish nin'st~,-
| itssi take measures 60 avoid a war 1t
! Is from this phaso ~ the situation that
! tho zeal danger 81 war with SPAIN exists
today. The spanish rovernrant may be
/ forced IN take sra % action as VIII laevita.
/ hly prreipi,ate = war with thr Tinted
I States, or they may nav 10 face rcvolu-
( uouary instruction At hora