The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-29

walter Weiiman Gives n Sicar stntcnent
Of Conditions and What May Grow Out
of Them senator Morgan's Prediction
Causss Excitement.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s. Especial. -
For several days Cuba has been the most
exciting topic of discussion In Washington.
Rumors have been I'm circulation to the
effect that, In case of adoption by congress
of resolution recognizing state of war
In Cuba, the Spanish minister at this cap
ital would be instructed by his govern
ment TO demand his passports and TO re-
turn home, but IL has been impossible TO
verify the story. Senior do LONE, the
Spanish minister, refuses 70 talk about
the matter. No doubt exists that the gov
eminent of Spain views with angry eyes
the efforts of the congress of the United
States to give assistance to Cuba. Con-
siderable excitement was caused by Sena-
tor Morgan's prediction, made on the floor
Of the senate n few days ago. that no be-
llevcd war between the United States and
Spain over Cuba was inevitable, but In
diplomatic circles one is unable to find
much agreement with this opinion. Ii Is
pointed out that, while Spain might be
very angry indeed In case tho United
States should go too far In its efforts TO
help Cuba, declaration Of war against
the United States would certainly prove
fatal TO her efforts to retain possession OF
the rich island of Cuba. Spain Is in no
condition TO combat the first Of American
republics. Her hands are pretty fullalready.
spain's Position.
IL Is pointed out by member OF tho
diplomatic corps familiar with SPANS
affairs that tho Spanish treasury Is not in
good condition. The national credit Is
low and has been severely strained by the
cost of the Cuban war. Loans have been
foated In Paris and London, and at last
the Spanish government has been driven
TO the desperate expedient of causing the
Bank OF Havana to issue paper notes,
which the people are compelled TO accept at
par Hot tempered, proud and arrogant
as are the Spanish, It is believed here they
would think several times before going TO
war with tho United States.
Senator Morgan declared in his sensa-
tional speech that Spain would prefer TO
lose Cuba to the United States at tho point
of the sword than TO part with the island
for price in cash. What authority Sena-
tor Morgan had for this statement he do
clines to say, but il Is evident that infor-
nation OF n confidential nature has come
to him as the late chairman of the foreign
committee of the senate. 1t Is
believed he has had conversation with the
Spanish ministry here, and that Senior dc
Lomc, who is nothing IL not n diploma
tist, endeavored in advance of consideration
of the resolutions by the senate to spread
the impression that such expression on
the part of the congress of the United
States would bs surely followed by war.
IL this was intended as a measure of in
it IL not likely TO be successful,
for the indications now are that the house
Of representatives, as well as the senate,
will take some decisive action upon the
question of Cuban independence.
Cuba's Geographical Position.
The suggestion has been made In official
circles that Spain has some secret under
with England or other European
power by which Cuba Is to be sold to that
power in case IL should become necessary
to yield to the revolutionists. There arc
plenty Of public men here who believe that
Spain has such an understanding, but on
making inquiry at the state department
nm assured this is highly improbable.
The traditional aud oft declared policy OF
the United States is that Cuba must never
pass from the hands of Spain into those of
any other foreign power This policy is
we'll understood throughout Europe 1t
Is so well understood that any European
government buying Cuba of Spain would
know that it was buying war with the
United States, and 1t Is not supposablo
hat any European government Is anxious
70 measure swords with this country.
Besides, the justice of this contention of
he United States Is rywhere recognize
ID. It needs no Monroe doctrine to make
clear the right which the United States
las TO protect itself from such redistri
button Of territory and Of strategic advan.
age rs would be contained in scheme to
transfer Cuba to another power. Cuba
les only 60 miles or SO from the soil OF |
he United States. 1t guards tho entrance
20 the great gulf of Mexico, which washes
he shores of a vast region of American
errltory, and Ia the outlet of our great I'm.
and watercourse, the Mississippi river
10 other nation in the world would permit |
Cuba to pass from Spain to European
)ower were IL situated relative to that is |
and ns the United States is. Few Of the |
European nations, were they occupying
'ur place, would have permitted Spain TO |
etain possession Of that rich and impor- |
ant island az long as she has. England, |
or instance, would long ago doubtless |
rave declared that possession Of Cuba was |
'ital to her safety and welfare and pro.
eeded to take 1t by main force.
Motive For Seeking Recognition.
In view Of the showing made by Senator |
cameron and others In the senate debate |
concerning the practical effect of recogni. |
ion of scare Of war In Cuba, the ques-
ion has been asked, Why do the Cubans
want such recognitionp 1t Is pretty clear |
hat recognition would place moro advan. |
age in tho hands OF Spain than in the
lands of the revolut;onists. Spain could |
hen search American ships, and all ships,
or that matter on the high seas, which |
he Gun do now only In her own waters,
hree leagues from the shores Of Cuba.
would also release Spain from |
responsibility for injury to the property OF |
american citizens In Cuba. Under these |
circumstances thore Is some surprise that |
he Cubans have been bring ing pressure |
o bear upon congress for recognition.
Their motive has been explained to mo |
~ a distinguished Cuban rs follows: "If |
! state Of war Is officially declared, we |
hall be able 60 borrow money on the |
trength OF it. We shall be able to outfit |
expeditions and to forward large supplies |
4 ammunition and weapons. But, more |
important than all. is the probability that |
pain would search American ships and |
would not be very gentle or circumspect |
n the process. The American people |
would not stand that long. predict that |
within 80 days after q state of war Is de- |
Jared there will be either war between |
spain and the United States growing out |
4 complications resented by seizures of |
our merchant ships or President Cleve.
and will intervene In behalf of Cuban In |
AZ qUt, urr