The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-11-21

garueu as prODable. III peace De
tween Spain and the United States
shall be interrupted, it will not be
by any fault on the part of our gov
eminent, but war will come. If it
shall come, because of the extreme
necessities of Spain which are likely
to lead to war with the United
States to enable Spain to survive the
surrender of Cuba.
1t is now nearly two years since
Gomez and Maceo landed ON the
Island of Cuba with force consist
ing of but % men all told. Since
then the rebellion has progressed
steadily until to-day it is in absolute
control of two-thirds of the Island
|of Cuba. and there is not single
province in which the Spanish have
undisputed possession. The insur-
gent armies number fully $4,000 men
under the most accomplished gener-
ais, who are thoroughly experienced
in Cuban warfare and perfectly I'M
derstand the topography of the
country from one end of the island
to the other. These armies are now
equipped with modern arms, artillery
and ammunition, and at no time in
the history of the rebellion has the
Cuban cause been as strong as it is
to-day. The position occupied by
the insurgents appears to be impreg
nable, and it seems entirely safe to
assume that General Weyler will
fail in his present campaign against
Maceo.
Even if General Weyler were to
defeat Maceo and practically destroy
his army, it would not even be the
beginning of the end Of the rebellion
There would yet remain the army of
Gomez with double or treble the
force commanded by Maceo, and with
undoubted ability to continue the
war indefinitely. In point of fact,
the overthrow of the insurgent force
by any number of troops that Spain
can send to Cuba seems to be an
utter impossibility, and the the
continuance of the was must be sim
| ply continuance of the most bar
barous conflict of modern times.
Spain cannot prosecute the war
another year Her credit is exhaust
ed; her resources for men are nearly
exhausted, and it must be evident
even to the stupidity that rules in
Spain that the Cuban people cannot
be conquered. To subdue the Cuban
rebellion must require the absolute
determination of the Cuban people
and the complete desolation of the
island. With the rebellion over
thrown and the Cuban population
and productive property entirely de-
stroyed, of what value would Cuba
be to Spain?
The time has come when this ma
ton cannot remain neutral for an ex-
tended period. What action the
present administration may take we
are not advised, but it must be evil
dent that Spain is unable to sup
press this rebellion, and whenever
that conclusion shall be accepted,
the duty of the civilized nations of
the world becomes clear to interpose
and halt the fiendish butchery that
has so long digraced the civilization
of the age. That President Cleve-
land will take some measures to ar
rest this cruel and barbarous war
with Cuba, we do not doubt, but if
he shall fail tn take decisive meas
ures, the new administration of Pres
ident McKinly will doubtless recog-
nize the belligerent rights of the Gu
baus even at the cost of a war with
Spain. The symapthies of the Amer
lean people are so universally with
Cuba in the struggle that the gov
eminent cannot continue in neu-
trail attitude.
We believe that Spain, regarding
the conquest of the Cuban insur-
gents as utterly hopeless, may seize
upon some pretext for a declaration
of war against the United States,
not so much for the purpose of wa
ging war to gain any distinct advan-
tage by the issue, but under cover
of which to retire from the contest
in Cuba with the semblance of dig
nifty and respect among the nations
of the world. A war with the United
States would result in the early con-
quest of Cuba by this government,
and with Cuba in the possession of
the United States, peace would like
ly be accomplished on some basis
for the independence of Cuba that
would enable Spain to retire from
the contest with some measure of
self respect. 1t is this reason and
this alone, that may give us war
with Spain, and if war shall come,
it will mean simply that Spain has
decided to surrender Cuba under the
veil Of treaty of peace with the
United States.
The Democratic Future.
A heated and in many respects
bitter campaign, conducted largely
on new lines, has closed with the
election of Mckinley by large ma
jority in both the Electoral College
and the popular vote. Under the
Administration of Mr.. Mckinley we
may look for an era OF trusts and
HIGH DrOtectiOn His name is idant-