The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-24
SPANISH JIxGoIsM.

The Spaniards seem to be suffering from
q bad attack of tingoism. II would Ill be-
come any patriotic people to sneer at pa
triotism on the part Of another; and II the
resistance of Spain TO the demands made
upon her for justice to Cuba were based
upon love OF her own country and pride
in her honor. jingoism would be an un-
deserved name to apply to II. But the
utterance of one of the leading papers Of
Madrid shows that the taunt is deserved.
1t says that Spain might yield to the
friendly suggestion from the European
powers that she give Cuba liberties COM
patibIe with Spanish sovereignty. but
never TO the suggestion OF the United
States"
II the advice II friendly and wise. It
should matter little whence 1t comes: and
the attitude Of tho Spanish press leaves
no room for any other inference than that
II either hates or despises this country
1t gives u that the United States has inter-
coded. in the interests Of humanity. on be-
half OF . people whose land forms . part
of this continent and whose interests are
Of no less consequence-it may be. even
more-to US than to the country which
claims 1t from across q great ocean.
Another OF the leading papers says that
II the government tolerates the interven-
ton Of the United States In Cuba the Span
ish nation will repudiate 1t. This Indicates
tho character Of the difficulty with which
the Spanish government has to contend.
The leading men OF the country undoubt-
edly know how unnecessary a war with
this country 10 and how disastrous for
Spanish interests II would be: but they
have to deal with masses Of ignorant peo-
Of the United States. although their own
decline In European councils since the
days Of her imperial domination IL better
known.
Spain does not mako tho mistake Of
insulting Continental powers. but has no
respect for this nav and young republic.
The ministry are evidently embarrassed;
they shirk the responsibility Of war. but
the unreasoning and reckless mob 10 at
tributing their caution to want of public
spirit. and they should be treated by this
people with cAlmness and undisturbed
temper. The proposition to grant re-
forms is as much IN Difference to American
sentiment as It is in concession to the Gu
bans. There may be some ground for the
question asked by Ftguerdo. the Cuban
representative In Florida: IF they have
our forces In Cuba so scattered, bewildered
and surrounded. why are they so eager to
grant us any such concessions?" But the
word eager seems TO be quite out OF place:
50 far from being eager. the Spanish au-
thorities seem to be very reluctant. and
the Spanish press Is fighting the reforms,
declaring that the government dare not
offer Cuba anything but bayonets and
bullets"
There Is one feature about the news from
Spain which Is constantly changing. 1t Is
repeatedly asserted and as often denied
that any negotiations are In progress be-
tween the two governments OF the United
States and Spain. II Is probably true that
no negotiations" are on foot. or any off,
cial correspondence. yet there may be ex-
changes OF views In an unofficial way, such
rs often takes place between the diplo-
matte representatives OF nations and secre-
tar,es for foreign afyafrx