The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-10-06
WEDNESDAY. OCT. 6, 1897.


been expected. The ministry was q
temporary one. at best, and its atti-
tude toward the Cuban rebellion bas
for some time been unpopular enough
TO warrant the belief that 1t would
not last. II was conservative, while
Senior SagAstR, who has been sum
moned by the queen, is a liberal, and
will undoubtedly associate with him
the leaders of his party.
The Washington Post, discussing the
crisis from an independent standpoint,
says that owing 10 the extent which
the United States has involved itself
in the Cuban question, this change OF
ministry is OF considerable interest in
this country. President McKinley's
policy toward Spain in regard to Cuba,
while IL has not been officially pro-
mulgated, is known to embrace ten
der cf the good offices Of the United
Ststes in solving the Cuban problem.
Minister Woodford, who has made
these representations TO the old
regime, must now deal with the new
ministry, and upon the sentiment en-
tertained by the latter toward this
country will depend the failure or
success OF his mission We know that
up 10 the present time Senior SagAsta
has evineed the kindliest feeling to-
ward the United States and, so far as
ne is personally concerned, nothing
will occur, we feel certain, 70 disturb
the pleasant relations existing between
the two governments.
The trouble is, however, that Senior
SRgasta, popular and able though he
be, must be controlled by the prevail
ing sentiment IN Spain This is anti.
American to the last degree. The
Spanish are a hot-blooded, sensitive
race. not prone to accept advice or ex-
perience defeat with equanimity.
They believe that the United States
has been the chief factor in prolonging
the Cuban war; that we have given aid
and comfort TO the insurgents, and
that any efforts which we may now
put forth to end the war are purely in
the interest OF the Cubans There is
ample foundation for this feeling. 1t
is true that the executive branch o
this government has exercised strict
care in preventing the departure and
accomplishing the capture OF filibus-
tering expeditions and in attempting
to preserve neutrality On the other
hand, the national legislative bodies
and especially the senate, have gone TO
extreme lengths in declaring sympathy
with the insurgents and in proclaim
ing belligerency, while political con-
ventions have famed the flame Of
public sympathy by resolutions OF the
most extrsvagAnt character. All this
has not been lost upon the SpAniArds.
who have come TO regard us as their
enemies. Their bitter hatred of this
country is the natural result.
Fully appreciating the situation, and
knowing that while parties in Spain
are divided as to minor questions they
are united In belief that iDterfer-
ence by the United States Is nothing
less than an insult, we believe that the
change in the ministry wlll not favorA
bly, affect the relations between Spain
and the United States We would nat
urally hope 10 have 1t otherwise. We
would wish that Senior sHgasta might
approach this problem in ~ unpfeju-
diced spirit and be convinced that what.
ever 10 said or done by the United
States Is intended in the kindliest
spirit We seek no quarrel with Spain,
least OF all do we believe that this ad-
ministration or any other proposes 20
plunge us into bloody and disastrous
war for purely sentimental reasons
We are not even sure that proffer OF
friendly office at this critical moment
is wise step or one destined to aid
the speedy ending Of a struggle which
common humanity deplores. The fact
remains, however, that so long as the
spanish feeling toward the United
States continues so bitterly hostile
and II will SO continue while the
alleged friends Of Cuba excite Animos'
ity on both sides-neither Senior SA-
gasta, nor a leader a hundred time
more strong than he, would dare tc
run counter 10 It. Spain, As a nation,
will brook no interference IN thi'
Cuban affair, She will. with Andalu
sian pride, reject our friendly advice
The acceptance OF any suggestion from
the United States would be the death
lsnell Of the SRgastA ministry.
The outlook for the suppression o.
the rebellion would indeed be unsatis
factory II this were the only point o.
view. Fortunately It is not. WhA
the new ministry cannot possibly &C
complish through any cooperation
with this country Il may be able to Sc
cure by the inauguration Of = new
policy toward Cuba. The recall o.
General Weyler- which now seems L
be generally conceded, will, In itsslf
do much 10 allay the anti.Spanish sen
timent here. and ought TO be an indi
cation OF better things Tor the CnbAns
II such action is followed, Is Il IN