The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-21
HOW wYR WOULD BE wAGED.
Men Who Have SmeIIed Powder Not
Itching for a Fight.

WASHlNGION, Dec. ZO.-Ol the iiihe NJ
publican and Democratic senators who
voted in the committee on foreign relations
i'm favor of recognition of Cuban indie
pendence. only three saw service in the
civil war 1t is interesting to note that the
war sentiment over Cuba at both ends of
the Capitol is not strongest among those
who smelled powder thirty odd years ago
I'VE are not going to war said Gen.
David T. Henderson, the one-legged repre-
sentative from Iowa. -The Cameron reso-
luton has not passed. and / don't believe
i'm encouraging this war talk We have had
enough agitation already, and we don't
want our business interests again inter-
rupted by talk of war or actual war.
Il am in favor of the independence OF
Cuba" said Gen. Richard w. Blue, of Kan
sas Il regard its ownership by Spain as
menace to this government, but l don't
favor the recognition of the independence
of Cuba when it is conceded that there is
no civil government and no port of entry.
have thought that Spain would not hazard
war with the United States unless her
pride and prejudice should get the better
of her judgment. She will not force con-
hict with us unless stung to desperation.
In that event she would probably seek aid
of the great civilized powers. Should a
war come L do not believe she would at.
tempt to invade the territory of the United
States, but would content herself with
forces in Cuba She would need all the
troops she could command in the western
world through the aggression or the arms
Of the United States.
1.-The prompt invasion of Cuba by us
would become neeessy tb fys, ana woui1 ta be 6
made. Our unprotected coast cities would,
of course. offer opportunities to the Span
ish navy. In the beginning we might have
the worst of it, but in the end Spain would
be compelled to pay indemnities and sur
render her possessions in the West Indies.
Spain cannot land any Suff1cient force In
any portion of the United States to seri-
ously harm or annoy us. If such attempt
were made il would doubtless be at some
point on the Southern coast most accessible
for invasion, probably in Florida
other generals expressed themselves as
skeptical of the prospect of war and dis
one should come. Gen. N. NJ. Curtis, the
hero Of Fort Fisher, is representative
Il don't think there will be any war" he
said. II don't think Congress will pass any
should come however. it would be entirely
naval in which. probably, many ports of
this country might suffer; but 1T would be
terminated very shortly in favor OF the
United States. This country could take
possession of all SPANS territory on this
side of the water and hold it: Our navy
| strong enough to justify a war with Spain
| at this time Spain could not successfully
| did succeed in making a landing her troops
could not make half-day's march They
could not remain on United States territory
| twenty-fOur hours. No single ma
ton of Europe could land and
hold any of our territory any
| considerable time. If. however, Spain
| should attempt anything like a landing. this
would probably be made somewhere in the
| South closest to Cuba. But as l have said
| if war should be declared. Congress would
at once authorize the enlistment of volun-
| teers. and these would be ready to meet
soldiers landed by Spain anywhere.
General Walker. of Virginia, who COM
manded the Stonewal Brigade, thinks the
war might last for some time.
| Il am opposed to the Cameron resolu-
tion," he said. because / don't want war
and do not think the United States would
| be justified in bringing on trouble. If there
| should be war, though, j do not think we
| would have any fighting land in this
country The war would be confined to the
| ocean and to Cuba The United States
| would of course, have to land troops in
| fighting over there. We could land as
| many troops in Cuba as Spain; but it would
| take all of our resources. and the war. even
| then, might be protracted for a long time.
After il was all over what would we have
| for our trouble? The United States could
| not land an army in Spain. and the latter
could not land one here. While the con-
| f1ct was in progress some of our cities
| might be bOmbarded and burned and COM
| merce would be destroyed for awhile