Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-04-29
The Situation in Madrid.

ton in Madrid which our special cor
respondent cable shows, first, that the
iingoism of Congress has had the eff
feet of bringing all parties and popu-
lar sentiment in Spain to the support
of the government in its determination
to suppress the Cuban rebellion, and,
second, that while the liberals, the
limoges of Spain, are like their proto
types in Washington, more bellicose
than level headed, the conservatives,
who outnumber the liberals three to
one, and are in control of the govern
ment, are doing everything in their
power without compromising the
honor of the nation to avoid trouble
with the United States.
While the Canovas government is
determined on vigorous prosecution
of the war, and expresses confidence in
the final success of Spanish arms, it is
ready to listen to any friendly over
| to a termination of the conflict on the
basis of reforms in the government Of
| the island. AS our correspondent
cables, sit is only necessary for Mr..
| Cleveland to make friendly oyertures
| in order to get friendly reply in re
gard to the reforms to be granted to
| Cuba. The present government has
said as much"
This points the way to a practical
solution of the difficulty if the solution
desired by the United States be a ces-
sation of the deplorable war now be-
ing waged, and a more liberal and in
dependent government for Cuba. Be-
fore the present rebellion broke out
Spain had already passed a new code
of law which gave the colony a large
measure of home rule. She is evident
ly willing to grant still more to the
Cubans now in order to terminate the
devastating conflict, and to that end
appears to be ready to receive any
friendly suggestions from the govern
ment at Washington. Under these
circumstances and on these lines the
United States can use it's meditary
offices with honor both to Spain and
itself and for the highest interests OF
all concerned.
Another way of dealing with the is
sue is that urged by the jingoes, some
of whom are for selling Cuba without
further ado, and others for recogniz
ing its independence, while all insist
on at least grant of belligerent
rights All this points to war instead
of peace. Even recognition of bellig
|
long the conflict in Cuba and to gel
the United States into trouble with
Spain. AS for conceding the indepen
d.nce of Cuba, Spain is no more dis
posed to do that than the North wal
disposed to concede the independence
of the Southern Confederacy. She
will never give up her last American
colony until it is forced from her.
If the bellicose lingo programme
should be carried out and war should
follow there would of course be NJ
doubt as to the ultimate result. Tit
United States would prevail and SpaiI
would lose Cuba. But what would
this country gain? What would i
have to show for the untold loss of lif,
and money, the commercial and bust
ness ruin from which it would take
years to recover, and, above all. thu
lasting national wrong of war wan
tonly provoked against a friendl!
Power? What would even Cuba gail
if it's independence should be as q uick
ly lost as WON'T the island should b.
wrested from Spain only to be seize {
by the United States?
The correspondence which has JUS
been submitted to Congress by the
President reveals the course pursued
|
Cuban rebellion and presents a safe
guide for the course now to be taken
The government did not then see any
honorable way open to interference
except by friendly meditation accept
able to Spain. President Grant dem
onstrated that recognition of CubaI
independence was out of the question
and that to grant belligerent rights
would be gratuitous wrong to Spain
serious detriment to the United
States and "a delusive hope" to Cuba
Writing from Madrid, Minister Cush
ing warned the government that thu
United States had much to lose an(
nothing to gain by compromising it
self in the Cuban affair.
Fortunately, jingoism was not 81
rampant then as now. StatesmanshiI
and patriotism prevailed, and thu
country was saved from a blunde
which would have brought upon i
disaster and dishonor. We trust i
will be equally fortunate in the pres
ent emergency.-New York Herald.
EGYPT AND THE IsRAELITEs.-In 1