The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-05-22

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The administration tell me they do not ex
pect any war with Spain out of our rela.
tions TO the Cuban problem. Even IL the
observation-disclosures they believe it will be
done i'm such a way that Spain will have
an opportunity to save her pride and ap-
pease her people. Spain is i'm no condition
TO go 10 war She Is well nigh bankrupt.
| Her credit is exhausted in every banking
house of Europe She has used all her re-
sources in the two wars that have been GO
ing on so long, one in Cuba and the other
in the Philippines. Her expenditures In
these two wars have been about Sl5, 000,-
600 a month, which is greater burden
upon poor Spain than $3.50, 900, 900 a
month would be upon this country. If
the president intervenes and serves notice
upon Spain that she must surrender Cuba,
but that she may have money bonus, or
payment of her war debt by the Cuban
revenues, that would afford IA loophole for
the fiery Spanish pride to creep through.
Spain would be mad to go to war with the
United States. The engagement could not
last long and could have but one result
the overwhelming defeat and humiliation
of Spain.
Getting Rich Out of the Planters.
Why has Spain failed so signally in the
work of suppressng the rebellion in Cuba9
This Is question often asked. The most
intelligent reply TO 1t that l have heard
was given by gentleman who recently
came from Cuba. While there his business
called him out into the country, and hav-
Ing the protection of the Spanish authori-
ties he was able to go and come as he
pleased. At several of the richest planta-
lions he was given an opportunity to look
over the books and he found great many
entries showing sums of money paid to
officers in the Spanish army. These pay
ments were in sums ranging from $500 to
S0,OOO, and they were quite frequent. OF
course none of this money ever finds it's
way to the government treasury. 1t Is n
perquisite of the military men. 1t is their
chief compensation, as the money in
which Spain pays them their salaries, the |
paper money, Is at a frightful discount
am told by this gentleman, who is In |
position to know what he is talking about, |
that the Spanish officers have regular |
system of levy and division. They know |
about how much each plantation owner |
can stand to pay, and they work the traffic |
Tor what 1T will bear, as railway men say.
A certain percentage goes to the minor
officers, another per cent to the brigade
commander and considerable part finds
its way to the pockets of those high in au-
thority. 1t is believed General Weyler has
become very rich man since he took com
mand of the army in Cuba. Every captain
general Spain sends to Cuba is expected to
get rich while there, and none of them
misses his opportunity. This system of
plundering the treasures of the planta
lions is the real reason why the inurgepts
get off so easily. The officers say they
would be fools to put an end to the war
and thus rob themselves of good thing.
In Favor of Annexation,
Not only the Spanish officers, but some
OF the insurgents are in this business of
lining their pockets with the gold of the
planters. Between the two the planters |
are having pretty hard time of it, and
IL is not surprising that they are in Ia
vor OF ending the war and restoring order
without caring very much which side wins
Dr what the form of government is. Among
Lhe really substantial men of the island
including good many Spaniards, 1 am
Iold the sentiment in favor of annexation
20 the United States is growing They
want peace and security at any price. If
spain suppresses this rebellion, they know
another one will soon break out and that
me only security they can get for the fu-
'ure lies In the control of the island by
some power that Is strong enough to main
AIN order and an honest government.
livery tlme the horizon shows a war
loud our naval officers prick ND their
ars ana wear smiles on their faces. The
Varmest bed OF jingoes in Washington inst
low is the Army and Navy club, where the
'incers OF our two military establishments
meet TO talk over the situation. Every one :
u them wants war. They are eager fol :
how What they can do, the army men be- 7
ng almost as anxious for chance Co show :
helr prowess as the naval officers. The |
after are proud of our new navy, and in
ehsely deslrous of an opportunity to show
Us lighting qualities. "What in the devil !
the use OF spending millions on millions =
money In navy If we are never TO have :
ny war; said naval officer TONIGHT {
pplng his glass of wine at the club. "If c
'e uont get scrimmage pretty soon. we :
laIi all forget how to fight Half orr
lnoers nave never been in an engagement. ,
hyway, and 1t is perfect shame we can't :
ave chance to win promotions and to
am more thorough familiarity with the
oble art of fighting"
The Oa.:cc Craze.
was at the state department the other
ny when an office seeker came in. "Here," :
said, ARE my papers l have applied
n an office which am sure will get be-
'use no one else will want it. It is n lit.
oonsulship which pays only 81, 900 a ..
'ar, there are no fees 1t is a long distance
way, it will cost man good part of his
ilary to get there, and he may never re-
i'm because the climate is very bad
me-"
Assistant Secretary Critiier smiled took
ne mans application, marked it on the
ack and tapped his bell. When the ines
,nger appeared In response to the sum-
IONS, he told him to ask one of the men
, the fileroom how many applications
here were In for that consulship. In n
wv moments the messenger returned.
There are 80 applications for that
flee, Mr.. Cridler," he said.
The office hunter who thought he had n
ure thing whistled, then swore and asked
D have his papers back and disappeared
rom the office. IF am going into a
ush, he said as he went out the door.
I'll go for something worth having"
WALTER WRLLMAN.