The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-03
UNCLE'S POWER.
Europeans Discover a New Factor In
international Politics.
POSSIBLE ANNEXATION OF CUBA
A Source Of Much Anxiety to
Foreign Statesmen.
rcopyrichted. 1861


BERLIN, March 3-The intentions OF the
American government toward the rebel
lion In Cuba, ms indicated by the action Of
the United States senate, awaken pro-
found interest and widespread discussion
here, not only in the press and official cir
cles, but In all classes of society. The
questions involved are not regarded by
any means as being confined in their Of
fects 20 Spain and the United States.
The Cuban resolution Is coupled with
President Cleveland's Venezuelan message
In the public mind, and there seems to be
. deep seated conviction in the European
mind that these incidents mark deter
mination on the part of the United States
government TO depart from its time
honored course of non-intervention in
European affairs.
Tho American action on the Cuban
question Is, therefore, regarded rs an
event Of Importance TO the European
world. AS TO the opinion held OF it here,
1t must be said that Germany and Austria
stand amazed. and neither statesmen nor
the public know how to regard what they
consider as recent frequent evidences that
the United States has formed n new de-
termination TO take an active part here
More or less speculation Is given, also,
10 the manner In which the United States
expects to reap profit by Intervention in
Cuba, and much OF the argument on the
question proceeds on the presumption that
IL Is sought TO take Cuba from Spain for
the purpose of adding ii to the United
States. IL Is generally admitted that a
belligerent force would be no match for
the United States in the event OF hostili-
ties arising out OF the dispute.
When it comes to the merits OF the case
on which the United States bases its
action, the opinion holds that Srain's
treatment OF Cuba has been and is brutal,
such rs awakens feeling of reprobation.
But, looking further TO the legal aspect of
the case, 1t is considered that Spain is
still within her rights, which are secured
to her by international law In quelling
the rebellion In any way possible.
1t is not believed i'm Berlin that Spain
will brook any interference with her
course in Cuba--such as is contemplated
by the concurrent resolution of the senate
and the opinion is generally held by we'll
Informed politicians In the reichstag, and
In -gnzernmnnt- circles. that the Spanish
government will find an ally against the
United States in Europe should she find
herself compelled to fight against the
United States.
The imbroelio has been the subject of
Interested discussion In the lobbies of the
teichstag, and one hears widely differing
views Of 1t expressed.
For example, Herr Richter, the distin-
guished Radical leader, said: "The United
States has undoubtedly become new and
hitherto unconsidered factor in interna-
tional politics. As to the Cuban question,
Spain would be better off to be rid of
Cuba from the financial point of view, as
the island costs her more than it yields.
But she would not agree to give 10 up, for
TO do SO means for her the abdication OF
hll pretension as great power In Europe"
There is great reserve displayed In gov
ernment circles In expressing any opinion
on the subject, as was to be expected, and
the portion of the press which has official
connections has been silent
At the foreign Office it was said that
grave fears were entertained there that
serious international complications would
be the outcome of the attitude OF the
United States toward Cuba. II may be
said In a general way that everywhere as
tonishment was expressed at the turn
taken by the American policy.