Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1896-12-28
counrNr ~ rNGLASn.
Driii'h Jonrnaia RcTognIsr IN,
Gravity OF the Cttais

Gravity OF the Ctiais
London, December ~. -- The
morning papers very generally
comment upon the gravity of the
situation between the United
States and Spain, brought about
by the action of the Senate For.
eign Relations Committee, in
agreeing to report Senator
Cameron's resolution for the
recognition of the Cuban repub-
lie. They agree, for the most
part, in expressing the belief that
President Cleveland will veto the
resolution if it is sent to him, but
that in the present temper of the
American people the resolution
will be passed by Congress over
the veto with the requisite
majority.
"In that case" says the Chroni-
Gle, "the resolution will be tanta-
mount to a declaration of war.
Any great power would declare
war, but it is difficult to say what
Spain would do. 1t would be Il
combat against overwhelming
odds, which could only end in the
one way. But the Spanish are
proud, and the house of Bourbon
fears, with good reason, that the
loss of Cuba would mean the loss
OF the throne. Spain would prob
ably appeal to the powers, who
would thereby be placed in the
most embarrassing position most
OF them have been in since the
days of Prince Matternich's dip
lomatic communication.
IF the powers assume hostile
attitude that would certainly have
the effect of clinching the Ameri
can sentiment and OF sealing tho
fate of Cuba"
Looking to "the momentous
possibility Of the popular will
overriding President Cleveland
and the Cabinet" the Chronicle
thinks that lit is a bad outlook
for the relations of all nations
with the United States. The
danger, however, is far greater
for America herself than for any
other nation. Besides, the Senate's
action is virtual reputation of
the Monroe doctrine"
The Chronicle says finally:
"There is an ominous coincidence
in the fact that the Senate deci-
sion occurred on the same date as
President Cleveland's Venezuelan
message"
The Daily News thinks little
but talk will come out of the reso-
luton. "The jingoes," it says,
want to embarrass President
Cleveland, who can afford to be
embarrassed"
The Standard says; Nothing
could be more uncompromising
than the terms Of the resolution.
The shock to Spanish pride will
be increased rather than mitigated
by the tender Of the Presidents
friendly offices. Fortunately,
there is the Constitutional time
barrier against violent measures,
and though it is much to hope, it
may be trusted, as in the Venenu-
elan scare, the calm judgment Of
the Nation will override jingoism.
1t is difficult to imagine how the
President could be compelled to
make war against his will. The
attempt would entail very per.
picking issue in domestic rela-
tons"
Reviewing the situation, the
Standards article proceeds by
saying: 1T would be almost u
relief to Spain to turn from the
inglorious struggle to retrieve her
disasters by some dramatic stroke
OF vengeance on the Americans.
Who shall say that Spain lacks
the power to give effect to its re
sentiment? In the long run the
United States can provide any
force needed, but it is the merest
truism to say that at the moment
America has no navy that could
hold the sea against the Spanish
fleets"