The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-12-28

summer when his minister for foreign
affairs. Duke Tetuan, consulted the am
bassadors of the great powers on the
welcome that a Spanish memorandum
on the relations of Spain with cuba ana
the United States was likely TO meet
al the hands of their governments
The memorandum was shelved, not only
because It was 50 coldly received by the
representatives of the powers at the
summer resort of the Spanish court.
San Sebastian but also owing TO the
very peremptory representations that
were instantly made, on August lZth,
to the duke of Tetuan by the united
States minister, Mr.. Hannis Taylor, as
soon as he was accidentally Informed
that the Spanish government contem-
plated making such an appeal to
European powers. Since then Don An
tonic CanoVas del Castillo ceased to
look to Europe for assistance, and
he has trusted to the sole resources
of Spain for final and decisive effort
in Cuba TO use his own words
From the above citation it is evident
that Spain is in no condition to engage
in a difficulty with the United States.
She will do well if she subdues the Gu
ban and Philippine uprisings; and from
present indications she is not equal to
either task In spite of the hopefm
views of the prime minister the Span
iards are beginning to realize the sravi-
ty of the situation and to doubt the
ability of the government to extinSuish
the revolution in Cuba.
Such in brief is the substance of Mr.
Houghtons article Whatever the at
titude of the United States may be
in dealing with the Cuban question
hereafter, he is satisfied that
Spain is not willing 10 risk
the consequences of war with
this country. AS to the possibilities OF
losing Cuba he believes that such
national disaster will not only be
grievous blow to the Spaniards, but
that it will also endanger the stability
of the empire
Mr.. G. T.. Akers. I'm discussing the
Cuban uprising. states that Spain has
been cruel and oppressive ruler. In
stead Of cultivating the respect and
love of her subjects on the island she
has inspired them with feelings OF ha-
tired and revenge. To each demand for
relief which the Cubans have made in
recent years she has responded with
luton therefore is simply the outgrowth
Of a long series Of expressions.
With respect to the mode of warfare
adopted by the Cubans, Mr. Akers
states that it does not merit the haSty
condemnation so frequently bestowed
upon it. lie says that the Cubans can
not obtain the means to fight the Span
iards according to the rules of modern
warfare, and that being deprived Of
the use of improved weapons, they are
compelled to resort to crude, guerilla
tactics.
In explanation of the failure of Spain
with 100000 men to subdue the island,
Mr. AkcrS says that much is due to the
defective plan of campaign upon which
General Weyler and his predecessors
in command have proceeded Sickness
is another complaint which has veXed
the Spaniards Nearly 10000 men are
now confined to the various Spanish
hospitals on the island. suffering from
malaria and other disorders. As to the
outcome of the struggle Mr.. Akers
makes no prediction although he seems
to be deeply impressed with the prog
ress which the CubanS have made. To
show how the trade between Cuba
and the United States has suffered
since the war commenced the writer
shows that in 1894 Cuba imported
goods from this country to the amount
of STf4SS.4SO during the first nine
months of that year, while for the
corresponding months of the present
year the imports of the island have az
gregated only S22. 72G 2GS. Aside from
this injury Mr.. Akers further shows
that a vast amount of property belong
ing TO Americans in Cuba has been
ruthlessly destroyed by the Spaniards
and that in justice 10 her own interests
the United States should adopt some
measure OF protection.