The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-01
A CUBAN CRISIS NEAR.
President Mckinley Soon to
Act.
DE LONE ON NATIONAL HONOR.
We Says Spain Would Prefer to Be Driven
Out or the Island Rather Than Give Up
For Money Consideration - Cuba and
Home Rule.

pN' - 'hN OifC Up
For Money Consideration - Cuba and
Home Rule.
WASHINGTON, June L. Special. BE
heath the surface of events and gossip in
the national capital is general air of ex-
pectancy as TO the Cuban situation. That
President Mckinley has determined to do
something radical toward a settlement of
the Cuban war Is no longer doubted. He
is only waiting for the return of Special
Commissioner Calhoun from Cuba and
for our new minister to Madrid to get set
tied in his post. Just what the president
will do is as yet unknown. 1t is doubted
If he has himself decided precisely what
his procedure is to be, but l find in cir
Giles which are in close touch with the
president strong belief that he will not
stop at mediation or the rendering of our
good offices He may make one or other
of these diplomatic moves at the outset,
merely for the purpose of putting upon
Spain the responsibility of rejecting, but
no doubt exists that in the end the presi-
dent intends to go much further-that he
will intervene for the purpose of bringing
about the independence of Cuba.
First Glass Diplomat Wanted.
The presidents anxiety to get first
class man, a diplomatist of experience,
for the Spanish mission shows that he re-
CARDS the negotiations upon which he is
about to enter rs of great Importance AS
a matter of fact, the question Is one Of
war or peace. 1t is generally admitted
that once we have set out TO solve the Gu
ban problem, once we have proposed me-
diation or intervention, there will be no
such thing as turning back. We must go
on to the end, let the consequences be what
they may. If Spain resents our interfer
ence and talks of war, that will not deter
us.
At the present time, it must be admit
ted. Spain is playing strong hand. Senior
Dc iCnc, the Spanish minister Mt this
capital, does not conceal from his friends
his belief that war between spain and this
country would surely follow any effort on
the part of the president to intervene. He
may be mistaken, but that he Is sincere
does not admit of doubt. Senior De LONE
plainly says, in an unofficial way, that
his countrymen would infinitely prefer
being driven out of Cuba by soldiers of
the United States to giving mp the island
for money consideration, no matter how
large that might he. The one would save
the national pride and honor, while the
other would entail the most abject humili
alton.
Whether Spain will or will not take
this attitude when the crucial test comes
remains to be seen. That the test Is COM
ing and coming soon / have every reason
to believe. 1t would be almost madness
for Spain TO go to war with the United
States. She is bankrupt. Her resources
are already well nigh exhausted. She is
no match for this country in any sense.
For few weeks Spain might carry on
determined and not wholly unsuccessful
naval war. She might even threaten
some of our ports with her fleet. But in
short time she would be whipped to
standstill, and would doubtless be CON-
PEELED to pay dearly for her temerity. Still,
Spain may fight. / know that the posi-
bility of war has been considered by the
administration. The president and his
advisers do not underrate the seriousness
of the situation nor delude themselves
with the idea that Spain is sure to sur
render to us without the firing of a gun.
Can War BE Averted?
President McKinley's hope is to solve
the Cuban problem without war. While
it would be comparatively easy matter
for this country to conquer Spain and take
Cuba as the reward of victory, the presl-
dent feels it would rebound much more to
the credit of the nation and to the glory
of his administration If Cuba could be
freed or acquired by purely diplomatic
means. That would be "a triumph indeed.
That would be an achievement so much
greater than Mr. Cleveland's and Mr.. OIL.
ney's victory in the Monroe doctrine
affairs that no comparison could be insti-
tuted between them. But is 1t possblep
Is there any way in which the Spanish can
be induced to give up the Pearl of the An
titles without WARP The weight of opinion
is that there Is no way, that 1t cannot be
done, and that IL the president looks for
way and makes move he will soon lind
himself in complications from which war
will be the only means of escape with dig
nifty.
1t appears to be pretty well settled that
Spain will not consent to the sale OF Cuba.
Not long ago the president was led ID be-
lieve sale of the island to the insurgents,
with the United States acting as sponsor,
would solve the whole problem, but the
Spanish statesmen of both parties have dc.
clared the nation will never consent to the
bargain method of disposing of their col
ony. The Spanish leaders say they would
no more think of selling Cuba than of sell.
ing Madrid So far as the administration
has any information, there is not the
slightest chance that Spain will be found
willing to accept a money bonus as the
price Of independence.
Obvious Difficulties.
There Is talk that the president will
propose to Spain that she give Cuba gov
eminent practically free, with perfect
home rule, like that Of Canada, Spain re
tanning a merely nominal or titular soyer'
eighty. Men who have studied the Gu
ban problem in all its phases tell me the
home rule proposition will not work. The
property holding classes In Cuba do not
want home rule. They are afraid OF 1t. III
SPANS is not to be the strong hand that
governs, they want the arm of the United
States to extend its authoritative sway
over the island The difficulties OF the sit
uation are obvious. II Cuba Is to have
home rule, Spain must withdraw her
troons Without armies the captain gen