The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-06

Spain seems to be to arrange some
agreement with cleveland and OIney
! which will commit McKinIey's ed
ministsation in advance to an attitude
hostile to Cuba | have been in
formed that General Weyler has per
mi,ted subsidized New York; news
paper correspondent to make a par.
tial trip through the province Of
Pinar del Rio. or rather, through
such small portions of the province
as Spaniards are able to hold, SO that
be may announce that order has been
restored in the western end of the
island and that presently Weyler will
make a sort of military parade
through the same district
All this is intended to deceive con
gress into believing that the treach
eous killing of one Cuban officer has
crushed the Cuban army in Pinar del
Rio. 1t is said that the mock scheme
of reforms recently enacted by Canos
vas will then be proclaimed in that
province
The recognition of the indepndence
of Cuba by congress would end the
struggle between Spain and the new
republic almost Immediately have
investigated the question thoroughly
this year in Habana. Washington aud
Madrid know the facts Spain
is-practically penniless Her treas
ury is almost empty, aud to day her
financial agents are securing the
capitals of Europe for money in vain.
She has pawned everything but 9er
great tobacco monopoly, and that
can not be hypothecated, for it is the
sole source from which the govern
ment at home secures the means of
its support The cortes have given
Canovas the right TO pawn even this
monopoly, but be does not dare TO do.
it.
If congress will act, boldly and
quickly, Spain must bow to the law Of
human progress. There may be.
threats of war aud even Show Of
arms, but in the end these displays
will amount to nothing.
The most thoughtful men in Spain
to day know that CuDa is lost to the
monarchy, and that Cleveland and
Olney are simply pro1oDging cruel
aud disastrous struggle But for
their pride they would be glad to
see the end come at once. 1t is i'm
possible to talk with representative
Spaniards without realizing this fact
Spain has plundered and desolated
Cuba at will. She has tried to legis-
late against nature AS | walk
through the streets of Madrid l have
pointed out to me dozens of men who
have suddenly. made fortunes in Cuba.
They have been favored and protect
ed by the court in their enterprises
while deserving Cubans have wasted
their time and money in Madrid in
furitless efforts to secure Cuban con-
cessions, which have been freely
granted to government parasites
And now Cleveland and Olney
propose to ask the Cuban patriots in
the hour Of their victory, to abandon
their free government, surrender
their arms and trust themselves
again into the hands of Spain. The
Spaniards know that the Cubaps will
never give up their republic, unless
the United States coerces them.
Cauovas wants delay. 1t is the ma
tional Spanish policy.
Will congress help to complete the
conspiracy against human liberty to
which President Cleveland has lent
his utmost support. Surely the
American people have not forgotten
their own history, nor the never-to-
be forgotten part which France play
ed it it at the beginning.
n NJ T;ll,noo ronnhlioao cand ida.e