The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-03-11
aoB DEMONSTRATIONS IN SPAIN.

The anti-American manifestations in
Spain are not a surprise. Neither are
thsy at all alarming. Why should they
ber The mob fresh from the bull hshL
must have its fins. People who regale
themselves on Sunday with spllling the
Mood Of bulls are easily set OF
The most fiagran; outourst was at
Barcelona. This was TO be expected.
Barcelona enjoys the distinction OF hav-
ing defeated General campos. A
powerful ring of milltrs and other manu-
tactursrs exists there, and this ring has
for years found large proiits in Cuban
markets. The bare proposition, there
hare. that Cuba should enjoy independ-
snce. or even that degree OF home rule
giving the choice OF u market, is re
pugnAnt 10 it. The first report Of Gen
srsl campos from Havana aroused this
ring. 1t turned upon him at once. and
eventually. as has been reported in this
country, accomplished his downfall by
persistent Vaccinations al Madrid Its
purpose was to Keep the price Of -four
up in Cuba at any cost to the inhabi-
tants OF the island And 50, not i'm
probably, these Barcelona students are
merely the fiery-eyed proxies Of the
dusty mnlers of the town parading and
Eestulating somewhat under the iniu-
snce Of commercial considerations.
Meanwhile it is TO be observed that
the cables show an absurd. though a
typical. misconeeption in other countries
than Spain of the situation here. II
would have been a pity II England had
rot led In this procession OF biunders.
Her reputation for inability to grasp any
American problem is so high there is no
hope here that 1t may never be rivaled.
For instance, the st. James Gazette
says: The jingo eggs which the presi-
dent thought proper to hatch in highly
artificial incubator in December have
produced a brood which will give him
and the statesmen Of the United States
a great deal of trouble as It grows to
maturity"
The Gazette evidently labors under the
impression that there was no American
ism in this country prior TO Mr.. Cleve-
lands Venezuelan message; that the peo-
pie up to that time had no thought or
care respecting their relations to the
outside world. The Gazette Of course
would have written differently II it had
ever heard of the Hawaiian episode, the
Allianca episode. and the Corinto cpl
sode. The people have never needed TO
be prodded on the score OF an emphatic
assertion Of their national obligations TO
themselves or to others; and 1t is fact
that the one deliverance Of Mr.. Cleve-
land bringing him the closest in touch
with all classes and conditions OF his
country has been that message 10 Eng
land that his government will not toler-
ate the oppression Of any people on this
side the sea at the hands Of any trans
atiantie power. The people indorsed
that enthusiastically, as they now put
forward OF their own accord a 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
5Ir Vest on the other-men Of age and ex
perience, and Of large and far grasp
stand in their places, and. speaking un-
der the fullest sense OF responsibility
commit themselves 10 Cuba's succor al
any cost. II the ST. James Gazette ap-
praises them as spring chickens its in
formation about the barnyard is as lin
tted as its information about America.
Nor will these men turn back. Nor
ought they to turn back. They have
spoken under neither excitement nor mis-
tlfoTmation. Nor are they fresh con-
verrs 10 the policy they now advocate
They have felt for months that inter-
zeution on the part Of this country in
cUha's behalf should take place. They
awe been waiting upon the president
Ttay decided at last to move in advance
% lin. hoping for cooperation in a case
ghicn General Weylers performances
bar- made so acute. Shall they bt
8lssppointgd? In the Venezuelan mat
g. ,ongfess responded to the PRESIDENT
HGhuve, as it should have done, moi
9uly without question but with fervor
H'nl not fhe president in this Cubar
matter respond as promptly and patri
9ficalIy ~ the initiative of congress?