The record-union., 1897-01-04
SPAIN AND THE POWERS.

In case Of serious difficulty with
Spain-which popular sympathy in the
United States for Cuba may provoke
what comfort, if any, can that country
expect from European powers and an
tagonistic to us? On the one hand
it is held that the powers will be dis
posed to view with alarm any interven-
ton by the United States in the Cuban
trouble that is Akely to result in strip
ping Spain of her possessions in the
West Indies. The fear will be upper
most that if in other colonies and pos
sessions Of European nations in the
Western hemisphere there arises in
surrection, there will be danger Of loss
Of the territory. 1t will also be feared
that the success of the Cubans may
stimulate some other West Indian COM
munities to strike for independence.
Then, too, there is a natural bond of
sympathy among European powers re-
garding their several possessions on
this side of the Atlantic. because they
are, with a single exception, monarchies
of one form or another Moreover, as
Spain is weak she will have a strong
claim upon her stronger neighbors for
more than sentimental sympathy None
of the European States will wish to
see her prostrate and subject to possible
division as a spoil.
But opposed to these views there are
others quite as strong and even
stronger. Spain Is not a great power
She cuts no figure in the preservation
of the balance of power" in Europe
She is not a buffer State Her exist
erlce or destruction as an independ-
ency cannot affect the Eastern ques-
tion, bar or open the way to India, i'm
pede or forward the progress Of Russia
southwark, or operate one way or the
other In the matter of coercing the
Turk.
In fact, outside Of the mere sentiment
Of sympathy of royalty for royalty,
there Is no special bond between Spain
and any Of her European neighbors.
Bourbon influence in France is now so
slight that it cannot operate to move
the republic to tender any special good
Office In behalf of Spain.
AS for the fears England or any
others might have of revolt upon other
ridiculous, as there is no discomfort
among the colonists or other inhabi-
tants The Government is mild and
generous, and the people contented and
happy, and there is not the slightest
disposition ON their part to effect any
change of conditions.
Again, Spanish credit is at low tide
most of the financiers of Europe have
fought shy of bolstering it, and have
received no encouragement from their
Governments TO aid the Spanish treas
ury. Italy has not the ability, even
If she was not unsympathetic for her
neighbor, to aid her. Germany is prob
ably Indifferent as to the fate of the
Spanish kingdom.
England will not be likely to interest
herself actively in behalf Of the boy
King. and Russia will do just what
conserves her tireless ambition, namely,
southwark progress. 1t is not easy to
understand that this will be promoted
in any way by assisting Spain in a con-
troversy with the United States. Aus
tria has deep sympathy for the Spanish
throne, but will not be likely to make
1T actively manifest except in concert
with the other powers, and that any
concerted action IN that direction would
be had is improbable.
Whatever trouble. then, Spain has In
holding on to Cuba, she must endure
alone. There is bare possibility how
ever. that Spain may bargain with
Russia for round spot sum. in ex-
change for one of the Philippine Isles
That Russia covets such a naval want
age ground is unconcealed; the Japa-
nese are so fearful that some such
dtckar viii be made that the Mikado is