Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-03

inclined TO Think Wnr Is Quite Likely
to Occur.

LONDON, March 2.-The afternoon news
papers of this city today comment freely
| upon the Cuban situation.
| The Globe says: American common sense
| is again beginning to chill American chauvin-
ISM Under its refrigeratng influence there
has been a tardy PERCEPTION Of the possi-
bility of war when any nation declines to
submit to the bullying of the American lingo.
| But, less heroic methods than resorting to
arms are apt to be brought to play. There
| is no question that the Spanish people are
resolved to fight to the death rather than quit
| their hold of Cuba at American bidding
| Nor would they be blameworthy II in such
an unequal contest, they resorted to privateer-
| ing to destroy American ocean-born COM
merce."
The st. James Gazette remarks: "If Spain
| and the United States go to war, it does not
| follow that the Americans will have such a
mere walkover as they anticipate The
! fall in the price of American stocks tells
| it's own tale American commerce would be
! fine bait for Spanish privateers and the
| capture of Cuba would hardly compensate
| for such damage. American commerce would
| feel the results not only on the Atlantic but
| in European waters.
1.-The prospect of Spanish privateers recalls
that one Of Americas political chickens is
| coming home to roost. Spain followed
| Americas example in refusing to recognize
| the abolition OF privateers. Thus not even
| the slight obstacle of international agree
ment exists to prevent the Spaniard from
equipping a swarm of steamers to prey upon
American shipping, which the Americans
| threaten to do to tho British IL they are
ever at war with the United States.''
| The Westminster Gazette says: "Con-
| gress, in the Cuban business is taking the
| course to be expected in view of the excite
ment upon the part of Spain and upon the
| part Of the United States. A large section
| OF the public is beginning to wonder whether
| the senate has not been too precptate. The
| president and the executive are carefully
| lying low and saying muffin, and are sub
| ject to party prospects at the approaching
| election which is permeating every discus
| sion Of the international situation, all of
which is entertaining, but it is not war;.
| The relations between the United States
| and Spain over the Cuban question continue
| to occupy large share Of attention and the
newspapers Of all classes comment on the
| situation.
The editorial of the Times on the subject
says: "Some people might think Mr.. Hitts
resolution more offensive and bellicose than
| the senates, but the point is of little con-
! sequence, considering the largeness. of the
majorities and the rapdty with which the
| resolution was adopted, almost amt uniting
| to precipitancy. Our correspondent ascrlbec
this haste to the Barcelona disturbances.
| But SPAIN dpOlOSlZeu IOr THESE with
promptitude worthy of a Chamberlain ire
ferring to Colonial Secretary Chamberain's
attitude on the question Of the Jameson raid
into the Transvaal.)
President Cleveland has now to decide
whether 1t is safe to disregard the concur
| rent resolution. We may suspect the Cuban
agitation of being to some extent Fictitious
because of the large financial interest in
volved and the president daring to dsre
gard the present ciammor, might little later
t1a trxfy han he I'm hn nt thnr
hand, America is man'festing tendency to
activity in foreign affairs wholly alien to
their past traditions. President Cleveland
will carefully weigh both sides and reflect
on what he supposes to be the opinion of the
majority of the electors. Spain has undoubt-
edly noted that the sudden outburst Of Amer
lean zeal comedies with the Spaniard's first
real success against the rebels, and 1t
to redouhe the energy $" largely
shown and confront its opponents with
accomplished facts. 1t seems highly i'm
probable that the Spanish ministry should
dare to suggest yielding to foreign dicta-
ton. Should President Cleveland decide
upon mere peremptory action. there is every
reason to anticipate war, which may prove
much more trouble than the Washington
politicians expect. Spain may have little
chance of infilcting decisive defeat upon
the United States, but 1t is doubtful whether
the United States can infict a decisive de-
greater and more prolonged than entered
into the calculations of the sympathizers
with the rebels. There are other continental
nations whose sympathies at all events
would be entirely on the side of Spain in
such struggle. Proximus ardul,' etc, is
a caution never lost sight of in the conduct
of national policy
PARIS. March 2.-The Temps believes:
'It will help the government to suppress the
rebellion in awakening Spanish patriotism
This noble nation will never permit a
stranger to intervene"
La France says: 1--WE owe all our SYM
pathy and help to Spain in defense OF her
rights against the covetous Americans"
BERLIN. March "A dispatch TO the
Frankfurter Zeitung from New York says
great dlstrust has been created there by the
report that secret negotiations are In progress
between France and Spain. which. II is said
refer to the diplomatic attitude OF France
against intervention by the United States in
Cuba. The dispatch adds; ''The contingency
has been reckOned with In New York Of SPANS
securing the support Of France by the ces-
sion OF islands such as the Canarles or at the
expense of Morocco. Many French holders
OF Spanish and Spanish-Cuban loans are urging
the French government to protect them"