Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-19


DE LONE In Disfavor.
NEW YORK, Nov 1S.-Don Fernando
Rodriguez, The Journals Madrid CORE
spondcnt, cables the following:
The phenomenal success of the new
Spanish loan has excited unbounded enthu-
siasm here, and at no time since the Cuban
war broke out has patriotism been ut such
white heat.
The language of the press is so trenchant
and resolute that it is clear every one feels
that the country is approaching-nay, al
ready has approached-the great crisis in
its destinies
Spain's eyes are now fully open to the
fact that the Cuban campaign has entered
on its last decisive phase.
Much has happened during the progress
of the American election campaign. 1t was
in August that the Duke of Tetuan drew
up memorandum to lay before the Eu
ropean powers, givinga full account of the
Cuban question and the entire relations
between Spain and the United States. 1t
was thought that there was nothing in it
to give otfense to Americans.
Its object was to show that moral and
material support had been given to the in
surgents by Americans despite the correct
attitude Of the American government Its
deepest purpose was to have Europe exer-
else pressure on the United States to OBJ
tain u stricter neutrality.
No Help In All Europe.
Minister Taylor heard the paper read
and his instant and firm objection to it led
to the abandonment of the project, but ii
is known now that Spain has been feeling
the pulse of ever chancellery in Europe to
find blood that beat with hers.
There is none. France is tied up with
Russia, and Russia is Americas friend
Germany's commercial interest and Eng
land policy keep both from siding with
Spain. Italy goes with England, and spain
is left to go alone.
dozen public utterances by such lead
ers as Canovas, Sagasta, Slvela and Azcar-
raga, minister of war, have established the
fact that those statesmen have been pre-
pairing against two dreaded events-a fail
IRE of crops at home and the recognition
of the Cuban bellgerents by Cleveland's
successor.
Two months ago it was pointed out that
up to that time Spain had yielded to all
American demands, no matter how unjust
they seemed to Spain
This course has been adopted in consid-
Grafton Of Cleveland's policy favoring
Spain, but the moment the belligerency of
the Cuban insurgents is proclaimed from
the White House, Spanish public opinion,
which has been with difficulty restrained,
will burst all bounds
Preparing For "EventuaIities."
1t was CanOyas who declared that 1.-THE
extraordinary credits asked for from par
lament were needed because it was neces-
sary to place the country in position to
answer possible otfenses against the ma
tional dignity"
In asking for the grant of the present
loans he said that most of this money
would be spent in preparing the country
for possible eyentualities. At that time,
and even since, Spain anticipated these
eventualities by fastening to Increase her
navy with ironclads of II 900 tons and
with cruisers and gunboats ordered abroad
However, this was the outburst of two
months ago and was not heard in the
United States because of the dcafening
noise of the presidential election.
Now it finds its echo in America, and
Spain, in her turn, is comparatively silent,
though very active in preparing for Cano-
vas eventualities"
spaniards Self Confident.
Reading the Spanish papers now, one is
struck by the entire and absolute trust
and by the utter silence respecting extra
neous aid The reason for this is clear.
In spite Of the rather imprudent efforts
which a certain portion of the press re
Gently made to set up the idea that steps
had been in progress tending toward col
lective action by European powers in order
to hinder American intervention in Cuba,
the majority Of Spaniards cherish no illu-
sions on the subject.
They feel quite convinced that in this
respect only platonic sympathies can be
counted on. No European power would
quarrel with the great American republic
in order to maintain Spanish domination
In the Antilles.
The Madrid press, however, is generally
regarded as representing the sentiments of
the Spanish nation when it alleges that
nothing serious is to be feared before the
4th of March, when Mckinley takes pos
session Of the White House.
Every Spanish newspaper now admits
that at II given moment, if the Cuban in
surrection drags on and does not take a
turn very favorable for the mother coun-
try, it is quite within the bounds of pos
sibility that the United States may inter
vene Hence, everything possible that can
be done by Spain will be done before
March 1.
If the Cubans Can Hold Out.
But if the Cubans can hold out till then
they will win much, and possibly every
thing. At the same time the Spanish gov
ernment knows that the Washington au-
thoritics would be perfectly willing to use
their efforts to bring about a cessation of
the war if Spain would grant Cuba and
Purto Rico the measure of self government
tho Inhabitants desire; in other words, ad-
ministrativc economic autonomy. This
makes the Spanish inclined to sneer at
American 'disinterestedncss "
There secnNs to be no chance vet of
Spain's weakening, the issue War to the
bitter end, having been put to the nation,
which seems resolved on any and all sacri-
fees.
Nothing better excmplfles the situation
than a colossal picture in FL Liberal OF
quecnlike Spain proudly throwing all her
most cherished valuablcs into the smelling
pot while Mars molds the bullets, and
away across the Atlantic sail the ironclads
-.