Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-28
THE CUBAN TROUBLE
An Exciting Topic Now Being
Discussed in Washington.
Why She Wants Recogniiion---lnter
est in Morga1's Prediction.
Statement Of Conditions and What May
Grow Out OF Them.

Washington, Feb. -(SpeciaD.-
For several days Cuba has been the most
exciting topic of discussion in Washing
ton. Rumors have been in circulation To
the effect that in case of adoption by CON
gress of resolution recognizing state OF
war in Cuba the Spanish minister at this
capital would be instructed by his govern
ment to demand his passports and to re.
turn home but it has been impossible tc
verify the story. Senior de LONE, the
Spanish minister, refuses to talk about the
matter No doubt exists that the govern.
ment of Spain views with angry eyes the
efforts of the congress of the United States
to give assistance to Cuba. Considerable
excitement was caused by Senator Nor,
gan's prediction, made on the floor of thu
senate a few days ago, that he believed wan
between the United States and Spain oyel
Cuba was inevitable, but in diplomat,
circles one is unable to find much agree
ment with this opinion. 1t is pointed out
that while Spain might be very angry in
deed in case the United States should &C
too far in its efforts to help Cuba declara
ton of war against the United States
would certainly prove fatal to her efforts
to retain possession of the rich island OF
Cuba. Spain is in. no condition to comba;
the first of American republics. Her hands
are pretty full already.
Spain's Position.
1t Is pointed out by member of the
diplomatic corps familiar with SPANS af
fairs that the Spanish treasury is not in
good condition. Tho national credit is
low and has been severely strained by tn,
cost Of the Cuban war. Loans have been
6oated in Paris and London, and at las,
the Spanish government has been driven
to the desperate expedient Of causing the
Bank Of Havana to issue paper notes,
which the people are compelled to accept
at par. Hot tempered, proud and AFRO
CANT as are the Spanish, 1t is believed here
they would think several times before go
Ing to war with the United States
Senator Morgan declared in his sensa
tional speech that Spain would prefer tC
lose Cuba to the United States at the
point of the sword than to part with the
island for price in cash. What authority
Senator Morgan had for this statement he
declines to say but it is evident that in
formation of confidential nature has
come to him as the late chairman of the
foreign relations committee of the senate
It Is believed he has had conversation witt
the Spanish minister here and that Senol
de LONE, who is nothing if not diplo
matist, endeavored in advance of consider
alton of the resolutions by the senate te
spread the impression that such expires
sion on the part of the congress of tn,
United States would be surely followed By
war. If this was intended as measur,
nS MI, idatipn iS Gtyalyy 10 no
cessful for the indications now are tha
the house of representatives as we'll rs thu
senate will take some decisive action upor
the question of Cuban Independence.
Cuba's Geographical Position.
The suggestion has been made in ofIicia
circles that Spain has some secret under
standing with England or other European
power by which Cuba is to be sold TO that
power in case it should become necessary
to yield to the revolutionists. There are
plenty OF public men here who believe that
Spain has such an understanding; but, or
making inquiry at the state department, II
am assured this is highly improbable.
The traditional and oft declared policy OF
the United States is that Cuba must never
pass from the hands of Spain into those OF
any other foreign power. This policy Is
well understood throughout Europe. 1t
is so well understood that any European
government buying Cuba Of Spain would
know that it was buying war with the
United States, and ii is not supp0sable
that any European government is anxious
to measure swords with this country.
Besides, the justice of this contention of
the United States is everywhere recog-
nized. 1t needs no Monroe doctrine 10
make clear the right which the United
States has to protect itself from such a re
distribution of territory and of strategic
advantage as would DO contained in a
scheme to transfer Cuba to another power
Cuba lies only 60 miles or so from the soil
OF the United States. 1t guarSS the en-
trance to the great gulf of Mexico, which
washes the shores Of vast region of
American territory and is the outlet of our
great inland water course, the Mississippi
river. No other nation in the world would
permit Cuba to pass from Spain to Flu
ropean power were it situated relative to
that island as the United States is. Few
OF the European nations, were they occu-
plying our place, would have permitted
Spain to retain possession of that rich and
important island as long as she has. Eng
land, for instance, would long ago doubt
less have declared that possession of Cuba
was vital to her safety and welfare and
proceeded to take 1t by main FORCE
Motive For Seeking Recognition.
In view of the showing made by Senator
Cameron and Others in the senate debate
concerning the practical effect of recogni-
ton Of state of war in Cuba, the question
has been asked, Why do the Cubans want
such recognition? 1t is pretty clear that
recognition would place more advantage
In the hands of Spain than in the hands of
the revolutionists Spain could then search
American ships, and all ships for that
matter, on the high seas, which she can do
now only in her own waters, three leagues
from the shores of Cuba Recognition
would also release Spain from responsible.
NY Tor injury to the property of American
citizens In Cuba. Under these oircum-
stances there is some surprise that the Gu
bans have been bringing pressure to bear
upon congress for recoonition