Evening star., 1896-03-02

The anti-American manifestations in
Spain are not a surprise. Neither are they
at all alarming. Why should they be? The
mob. fresh from the bull fight, must have
its fling. People who regale themselves on
Sunday with spilling the blood of bulls are
easily set Off
The most fragrant outburst was at
Barcelona This was to be expected. Bar
celona enjoys the distinction of having
defeated General Campos. A powerful ring
OF millers and other manufacturers exists
there. and this ring has for years found
large profits in Cuban markets. The bare
proposition, therefore, that Cuba should
enjoy independence. or even that degree of
nome rule giving the choice of market, is
repugnant TO it. The first report of General
Campos from Havana aroused this ring.
1t turned upon him at once and eventual
ly. as has peen reported in this country,
accomplished his downfall by persistent
Vaccinations at Madrid. Its purpose was
TO keep the price of flour up in Cuba at
any cost to the Inhabitants of the island
And so. not improbably, these Barcelona
students are merely the fiery-eyed proxies
vi the dusty m1ilers of the town parading
and gesticulatiEg somewhat under the in
nuence of commercial considerations
Meanwhile it is to be observed that the
IL,
misconception in other countries than
Spain of the situation here 1t would have
been Pity if England had not led in this
procession OF blunders. Her reputation for
inability to grasp any American problem
Is So high there is hope here that it may
never be rivaied. For an instance, the ST.
James Gazette says: THE jingo eggs
which The President thought proper to
hatch In highly artificial incubator in De-
cember have produced brood which will
give him and the statesmen of the United
States great deal cf trouble as it grows
to maturity
The Gazette evidently labors under the
IN preston that there was no Americanism
IN this country prior to MIR. Cleveland's
Venezuelan message; that the people up to
that time had no thought or care respect
ing their relations to the outside world.
The Gazette of course would have written
differently if it had ever heard of the Ha-
allan episode. the Alliance episode and
the Corinto episode. all anteda ting the Ven
ezuelan episcde. The people have never
needed to be prodded on the score of an
emphatic assertion of their national obliga-
ticns to themselves or to others; and it is
a fac' that the one deliveraEce of Mr..
Cleveland bringing him the closest in touch
with all classes and conditions Of his coun-
trymen has been that message to England
that his government will not tolerate the
oppression OF any people on this side the
sea at the hands of a transatlantic power
The people indorsed that enthusiastically
as they now put forward of their own ac-
cord similar declaration with regard to
Cuba.
And who are their spokesmen? Not the
younger men in Congress, but the veterans.
Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. Allison on the one side
and Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Vest on the other
men of age and experience, and cf large and
far grasp-stand in their places. and speak
ing under the fullest sense of responsibility,
commit themselves to Cuba's succor a any
cost If the st. James Gazette appraises
them as spring chickens its informa ton
about the barnyard Is limited as its in
formation about America.
Nor will these men turn back. Nor ought
they to turn back. They have spoken under
neither excitement nor misinformation. Nor
are they fresh converts to the policy they
now advocate. They have felt for months
that intervention on the part of this country
in Cuba's behalf should take place. They
have been waiting upon the President. They
decided at last to move in advance of him.
hoping for cooperation in a case which
General Weyler's performances have made
SO acute. Shall they be disappointed? In
the Venezuelan matter Congress responded
to the Presidents initiative. as it should
have done. not only without question but
with fervor. Will not the President in this
Cuban matter respond promptly and
periodically to the initiative of Congress?