The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-07
CUBA Aid HAWAII.
INTERVIEW CREDITED TO SEC
RETARY SHERMAN.
Spain Must Soon Lose Cuba and Re
pudiate Her Debts-Doesn't Care
What the Japs Think About
America and Hawaii

New York, Aug. THE World pub
fishes an interview said to have been
obtained with John Sherman, secretary
of state, just previous to his return &c
Washington from Amagansett, l.. /. In
this interview Mr.. Sherman is repre-
sented as saving:
Spain will lose Cuba. That seems to
me to be certain. She cannot continue
the struggle. Already the conflict has
cost her more than s200.OO0,000. Her
money is gone, and she can get nc
more. She has reached the limit of heI
borrowing capacity She cannot pay
back what she has already borrowed
The only thing left for her to do is to
repudiate her debts.
I'VE had to do that after the revo-
luton. Having reDudiated them she
can begin anew, but she will have to
begin without Cuba. That country is
devastated. The insurgents have been
fighting with only the hope of ultimate
success as their reward. The Spanish
soldiers have been battling for pay.
The pay will stop and then the con-
fict will stop.
Spain is in no condition to wage
war anywhere. The burdens placed
for retaining Cuba have been very
heavy. Widespread discomfort will
come sooner or later within the Spanish
kingdom By disseminating the struggle
and by Withdrawing her troops from
Cuba and by repudiating her debts, is
her only way to recover. Sooner or
later she must do this. So far we have
done nothing to arouse the anger of
the Spanish people. We have gone on
minding our own business. deaf to the
distress of Cuba and deaf to pleadings
af la In NJ 0d
government to Interfere
The secretary was asked as to
whether there was any truth in the re-
9or. that the American flag was TO be
raised in Hawaii and a protectorate
proclaimed. He replied:
Il cannot divulge the instructions
given to Minister Sewall. Perhaps they
will develop as time passes. But l can
say that there will be no change in
the situation in Hawaii until congress
reconvenes. There can be no change.
because the terms of the pending
treaty, which have been approved by
President Mckinley must be observed
There is nothing in this talk that
serious disagreement between this
country and Japan will follow any in
reference on our part with THE exist
ing system of government in Hawaii
Japan must certainly understand that
this nation has never objected TO the
japanese. and that whatever trouble
it has had on this score was due to
officials for whom we are not respon-
sible and over whom we have no con-
troll.
IF we had Hawaii, Japan would
have no reason to fear that her sub
jects would suffer from unfair treat
ment.
while I believe that Japan is en-
tirely innocent of any intention of as
suming toward us a belfigerent or
remark that her attitude, no matter
what it might be, would not affect our
position in the least.
I'VE have always believed that we
have more right to take stand in ire
nagement of the Hawaii Islands
and the government of the other is
lands similarly situated than any other
country.
Hawaii is only about 1000 miles
from cur shores. Whatever course we
see fit to pursue towards her will be
pursued without regard to any other
nation We consider that We have a
right to do this, and we insist upon
our rights at any cost.
Have you taken any interest in the
discovery of the new gold fields?"
Mr. Sherman looked up in surprise.
You mean the klondyke region. VI
course 1 have. That is matter that
would naturally attract the attention
of any man in my position. The fact
that international complications may
ensue has, of course, sharpened my in
terest in the subject. There may be
questions as to boundaries. 1t has al
ways beer customary to consider the
lines as running along the mainland.
But occasionally it has been contended
that in laying the lines to determine
the 30-mile line measurements it has
been made from the point of land ex-
tending farther into the water or even
from islands. Whenever these claims
We're made, the purpose of them have
been apparent. They were made TO
advance the interests of the country
making them. If a disagreement arises
over such a question it will possibly
be because some of the islands prove of
unusual value. This government is
ready to maintain the rights of its cit
liens and to protect its own interests
to the last degree"