Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-17

eral authorities and the ships OF TIN
Spanish blockade. and landed sup
plies and munitions, Of war for the
Cuban forces! The IDEA is preposter-
Gus, and there is no question but our
government would treat any such out
rageous demands with the contempt
they would merit.
|. There can be no question but what
the Carlists. as the adherents to Dor
Carlos, the Pretender to the Spanish
throne, are called, are doing all in their
power to excite the Spanish masses
against the United States. Nothing
would please them more than to see
the Spanish government embroiled in
hostilities with this government. They
have been very assiduous in spreading
the idea among the people Of Spain
that the people of this country are
towards. and that. man for man, any
forces we might put into the field
would be vastly inferior to those of
Spain. The Spaniard is always dis
posed to be a boaster, and there can be
little doubt but what this opinion of
the United States, and it's people. has
secured a very general acceptance
among the Dons. 1t is said that
Weyler. and his troops. have the sub
FINEST confidence in their ability to
utterly rout any forces it would be
possible for this government to send
into Cuba!
Meanwhile, with outbreaks in her
other colonies, with hostile party at
lion apparently further away than it
has ever been before. with an ex-
hausted credit. and an empty treasury
the Spanish government finds itself in
a sad plight. The outlook has GER
tainly little of hope in it. The Spanish
pride could scarcely tolerate defeat
at the hands of Cuba. Anything
would be preferable to that. 1t has
therefore been feared that when such
defeat became inevitable. Spain would
force hostilities with this country in
order to secure an opportunity to at
tribute her discontinue to our supe-
rior resources and numbers, and to
consolidate public sentiment at home.
We are aware of disposition, on the
part of many leading newspapers and
public men of this country, to treat
this view of the matter lightly, and to
regard it as unworthy of serious con-
sideration. 1t is evident. however.
that government officials most con-
versant with the facts of the situation
are not so sanguine. No effort has
been spared to put our navy and our
coast defences in the highest possible
state of efficiency. Spain appears to
labor under the delusion that this
country is in peculiarly defenceless
position. The Venezuelan war scare,
however, has done much to remedy
any deficiencies in this direction. Con-
gress was stimulated to liberal appro-
priations which appear to have been
wisely expended. On the 1st day of
last July ten million dollars became
available for coast defences, half for
the Notifications, and half for the
ordnance This is the largest sum APP
propriated for the purpose since the
close of the Civil war. Secretary La
mont will ask for an appropriation of
SIG, 900, 900 for next year, and there is
every reason to believe it may be
granted. Already sufficient work has
been accomplished to place Boston,
New York. Philadelphia and Wash
ington in a state of good defence in
case of war. and, under pressure. the
work could be rapidly pushed to com
pletion.
If Spain is foolish enough to provoke
hostilities with the United States. the
contest would be very brief. We trust,
however. that wiser counsels may pre-
vail among the DOns, and that their
arrogant and vain-glorious pride may
be tempered with Judgment. The
United States certainly has no desire
to engage in hostilities. neither is there
any very good reason why our govern
ment should go to large expense to
maintain naval police service for the
benefit Of Spain. when the Cuban in
surgents have fully demonstrated their
right to recognition.
Features Of the Business Revival.
1t ought to be apparent to the dullest