Evening star., 1896-11-13
SPANISH WAR TALK
Rumors Revived Today With Con-
siderable Activity.
ARMAMENT SHIPPED TO CUBA
Loss of the Island Would Work
Revolution at Home.
PREPARATIONS BEING MADE

War rumorS are revived today Win con-
siderable activity, and it is asserted with
a good deal of force that Spain is Dreoar-
ing for the contingency of war with the
United States. This is known by this gov
ernment, and the knowledge is responsible
for the sudden revival of the agitation OF
the Cuban question and for the activity in
preparing our fleet for service.
This government is represented to be act
ing on the belief that but two things could
happen which would prevent hostility with
Spain One of these things is the subiu-
CATION of the Cubans within six weeks.
The other is the interposition of Great
Britain to compel Spain to grant the Hber-
ty of Cuba.
The fist is not regarded as at all prob
able. The second may happen, but still the
prospect is remote.
The idea of Spain going to war with the
United States seems SO absurd that an ex-
PLANTATION of the situation in which the
Spanish government is placed is necessary.
Result of Giving Up Cuba.
1t is recognized by the United States that
Spain cannot relinquish her hold on Cuba,
after all the expenditure of blood and
treasure which this revolution has cost,
without its involving the overthrow of the
present government of Spain.
OF the three parties in Spain the reigning
power is regarded as the weakest with the
people. Neither the Spanish government
nor this government doubts that Cuban
independence would result imme mediately in a
revolution and cost the power, If not the
lives, of the young king and the regents
Spain understands that If Cuba is not con-
quered before Congress meets the CubanS
will be strengthened by the action of Con-
greSS. and that the revolution cannot then
be put down at all If they could manage
tp..t fhAy-
gard it certain that after the 4th of
March they would be confronted with a
new policy on the part of the United States
less friendly to the Spanish interest.
For this reason they are trying to force
the issue to a conclusion while they have
no one but Mr.. Cleveland to deal with.
Every effort is being put forth to end the
rebellion before Congress meets. If this
fails as it is believed by this government,
and feared by Spain. it will, Spain con-
templates shifting the contest upon the
United States, thus hoping by arousing ma
tiCnal pride at home to avert the catas-
trophe otherwise sure to follow from de-
feat in Cuba.
This Government Fully Informed.
This government is fully informed of this
situation and can foresee what 1t may lead
to.
Another thing the administration is in
formed of, which removes some of the
speculative features, is the fact that Spain
has completely stripped her coast to ship
all the heavy armament to Cuba, not for
use against the insurgents, but for the de-
Tense of the island against an outside at
tack
Beyond the force necessary to guard
against internal disorder Spain has stripped
herself of defense, to strengthen Cuba and
to prepare fo- war around that island with
the United States.
The reason for thus leaving the Spanish
territory proper without projection is that
fr l. hot fraf nf
between Spain and the United States Eu-
ropean powers will interfere to the extent
of insisting that military operations shall
be confined to American waters and to
Cuba-that is, that Spain shall not be
made a seat of From a military
point of view the first thing TO be done in
the event of war would be to attack Spain
direct but there abundant diplomatic
reasons why the United States should re-
gard the expressions of united Europe in
this matter.
Will England Interfere:
Captain General Weyler is now in the
field. This government does not know how
promising of success is the dash he is now
making. Military authorities believe that
he will fail. The only question then re-
manning will be whether England will take
a nand. II she does interfere, 1t will be
in the capacity of principal creditor of
Spain on Cuban securities, and with the
view of compelling Spain to grant liberty
of Cuba under an agreement by this coun-
try TO guarantee the payment of revenues
by free Cuba in liquidation of these obli-
cations.
The Venezuelan agreement has naturally
changed the relations between the United
States and Great Britain. This agreement
is regarded by diplomats as in spirit
though not in terms. as a friendly alliance
between the two countries.
Three months ago. if England had taken
any part in the settlement of the Cuban
Il
of Spain. Now she would appear as the
friend of this government, and. in the spirit
of the Venezuelan settlement, she would
feel Justified in asking the United States
to extend protection over liberated Cuba
to the extent of compelling the fulfillment
of obligations or taking responsibility for
their fulfillment.
Naval Preparations.
The preparations being made by this
country to meet those being made by Spain
In Cuba are not as hurried nor i'll such a
spirit Of excitement some of the news
paper accounts indicate. For more than a
year the navy has been preparing for any
emergency that might arise. and what is
being done now Is merely the continuance
OF these preparations. The navy is already
so well prepared that there is 40 need of
the excited haste that is described
plan of defense and attack was worked
out at the Naval War College some time
ago, and the solution of the problems SUBJ
mitted has been referred Dy the Secretary
of the Navy to board, of which Admiral
Bunce is a member. for revision and adop-
ton.
Inspection of Southern Seaport..
Gen. Craighill. chief of engineers, U. 8.
army. has just returned from a tour of in
spection of the southern seaports His
trip related entirely. it is said, to the DOS
sible plans of the fortifications of those
ports.
The North Atlantic squadron will he held
at Hampton Roads, where their winter
cruising waters are.
If there is need for these vessels to go
into active service they will be prepared
If not they will proceed with their winter
evolutions.