The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-12-03
tContinued from 1St pages

millions of foreigners the United
States may ultimately include. They
do not, in fact, think much about
the future at all, but study immedi-
ate advantage, and regard new
States, even if acquired by conquest,
as new properties to be carried to
the credit of their Republic.
On the other hand, it must not be
forgotten that the American Gov
eminent, which is served by very in
telligent officers, must be aware
that the exertion required to seize
Cuba may be much greater than the
body of the American people as yet
clearly recognize. The potential
strength Of the Republic is almost
limitless, but it is not as yet fully
organized strength. 1t has been
the steady policy Of its rulers to
keep down ornaments, and neither
army nor navy can be described as
great. 1t 10 by no means clear that
the American navy could drive the
Spanish navy out of Cuban waters,
while it is certain that to conquer
and garrison Cuba the Government
must raise large volunteer force,
and add greatly to the strength of
the regular army, especially in artil-
lery. The Spaniards have shown an
inexplicable ineptitude in putting
down the colonists' rebellion, but
they might fight American invaders
with very different kind OF energy,
doing much better in pitched bat
ties than in guerilla warfare. The
defect of General Weyeler's army, it
is becoming clear, is an immobility
amounting to paralysis, but in war
with America that army would not
be pursuing insurgents who out
march its regiments by two miles
for one, but attacking invaders who
at first, at all events, must fight
where they land. There is, too, the
very serious question of possible
allies to be considered. The Span
iards have much to offer to Ger
many in the shape both of aid
against France, and of permission to
conquer Morocco, while the Queen
Regent OF Spain is an Austrian
Archduchess, and what is more i'm
portant, her son, the little King, is
a member of the Hapsburg dynasty,
which for centuries has valued its
connection with Spain. Both Ger
many and Austria would therefore
be inclined to support the weaker
State. 1t seems incredible to Eug-
lishmen that any European Power
should be willing to risk war with
the United States for any but the
most direct and positive interest,
but the German Emperor does not
like the American Republic; he has
dreams OF great colonies in South
America, and he might not be indis-
posed, on the failure of his parlia-
mentary plans. to compel his sub
jects, 30 to speak, to grant him a
powerful navy. He could not be in
vaded even if defeated, and he
would, after defeat, be little less
powerful to resist either Russia or
France. 1t would, at all events, be
most unwise in Americans to reckon
with certainty on his abstinence
from the contest, or to enter on it
with the idea that they would &C.
quirs Cuba by mere naval prone
made. The Spanish, German and
Austrian fleets united are at present
more than match for the Ameri-
can navy, and though navies are
easily built by rich nation they
are not always easily manned. The
Government Of Washington is sure
ly to be we'll informed as to these
facts, and to weigh them with
much care, and we should not be
surprised that, instead of threaten
ing war in December, it resolved to
"await developments" for at least
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