The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-28
The TnII< of war with spain.

VI w AAE W Cpttlhs
In unofficial circles the impression tina
there will be war between the United
States and Spain before many months /.
| strong. 1t is difficult to find out what /:
thought about the matter in official cir
| Giles. If we are to judge from what is be-
| ing done towards preparing for war the
conclusion is that in official circles war il
regarded as probable. Steps are being
| taken to fortify ports on the South At
| lantic and Gulf coasts, and the defenses
| of New York harbor are being strengthen
| ed. Reports are in circulation that orders
! for the manufacture of a large amount of
arms and ammunition have been given
and that there is unusual activity in
naval circles.
1t is true that many of the reports that
are in circulation relative to a probable
rupture of our relations with Spain may
have little or no foundation. Still, where
there Is so much talk there is doubtless
some truth.
One rumor that is receiving a good deal
in his message intends to deal
with the Cuban question in a way
that will provoke a declaration of war
from Spain. In view of the attitude which
the administration has all along main
tanned towards Spain in connection with
the war in Cuba it is difficult TO imagine
what the President could say that would
be regarded by Spain as a cause for war
The President has it in his power to rec
ognize the Cuban insurgents as bel
ligerents at any time. Besides, congress
has passed resolution in favor of grant
ing them the rights of belligerents, and 1t
is pretty safe to say that by granting
them belligerent rights the President
would have the approval of the people
and congress.
1t may be the Presidents purpose to rec
ommend interference by the United
States in the struggle now going on in
Cuba for the purpose of bringing the
struggle to a close. 1t is fact that
American interests in Cuba are suffering
greatly, and they will suffer great deal
more if the war is permitted to continue.
1t is probable that Spain would be quick
" DIluS inc WI W d ClOSS IL SliS NOuiu
do so without too great a pecuniary loss
and the loss of national PRIDE. AS far
back as last August her prime minister,
it is reported, considered very seriously a
proposition to grant Cuba her independ-
ence for the sum of 100000 ,OOO The chief
thing in the way of an acceptance of the
proposition, it is asserted was the fear
that Spain would not carry out her part
of the programme in good faith if the in
surgents should give up their arms before
independence was granted The negotia-
lions for peace fell through. because
neither party was willing to trust the
other.
Notwithstanding all the war talk, how
ever, it would not be surprising if the
President should adhere to the Cuban pol
icy which he adopted soon after the war
in Cuba began. The sympathy in con-
gress for the Cubans, however may find
expression in resolutions offensive to
Spain.
There is good ground for thinking that
Spain has pretty nearly concluded that
she cannot put down the insurrection. If
that is the case and she cannot get
satisfactory money consideration for the
island, she may invite a war with the
United States in order to satisfy her
pride