The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-11-19
War With Spain Possible.


war with Spain. 1t is not certain that
war will come, but it is more than
possible and may be regarded as prob
able. If peace between Spain and
the United States be interrupted, it
will not be by any fault on the part of
our government, but war will come, if
it shall come, because of the extreme
necessities of Spain which are likely
to lead to a 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 ISL
and of Cuba with force consisting of
but 2S 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 insurgent armies number fully
! $4,000 men under the most accom-
plished generals, who are thoroughly
experienced in Cuban warfare, and
! perfectly understand the topography
of the country from one end of the
island to the other. These armies are
now equipped with modern arms, ar
tlllery 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 positions occu.
pied by the insurgents appear to be
impregnable, and it seems entirely
safe to assume that General Weyler
will fail in his present campaign
against Maceo.
Even if General Weyler were to de
feat Maceo and practically destroy his
army, it would not even be the be-
ginning 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 un-
doubted ability to continue the war
indefinitely. In point of fact, the
overthrow of the insurgent forces by
any number of troops that Spain can
send to Cuba seems TO be an utter
impossibility, and the continuance of
the war must be simply a continuance
of the most barbarous conflict of mod
ern 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 overthrown
and the Cuban population and pro-
ductive property entirely destroyed,
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 evi.
dent that Spain is unable to suppress
this rebellion, and whenever that con-
cluson shall be excepted, the duty of
the civilized nations OF the world be-
comes clear to interpose and halt the
fiendish butchery that has so long
disgraced the civilization of the age.
That President Cleveland will take
some measure to arrest this cruel and
bargarous war with Cuba, we do not
doubt, but if he shall fail to take de-
cisive measures, the new administra-
ton of President Mckinley will doubt
less recognize the belligerent rights of
the Cubans even at the cost of war
with Spain. The sympathies of the
American people are SO universally
with Cuba in the struggle that they
cannot continue in a neutral attitude.
We believe that Spain, regarding
the conquest of the Cuban insurgents
as utterly hopeless, may seize upon
some pretext for declaration of war
against the United States, not so much
for the purpose of waging war to gain
any distinct advantage by the issue,
but under cover of which to retire
from the contest in Cuba with the
semblance of dignity and respect
among the nations of the wo Id. A
war with the United States would re-
suit in the early conquest of Cuba by
this government, and with Cuba in
the possession of the United States,
peace would likely 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