Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-25
IMPRESSION IN MADRID THAT 1T
WILL CAUSE A CRISIS.
UNITED STATES TAKEN TO TASK
NOTIFIED THAT SHE MUST OBSERVE
sTRICTER NEUTRALITY. ..
London Papers Discuss the Possibility
of War Between Spain md the
United Statex-The Standard
Says Europe Would
Not Interfere.

Madrid. Oct. 25.-There is no doubt that
the governments reply will represent the
deep feeling of the nation. The note dwells
at length on filibustering and "other ma
terial and moral assistance which has
chiefly contributed to the rise and duration
of the rebellion. and which. in turn, has
damaged American interests"
1t clearly intimateS that Spain cannot
continue the .forbearaEce shown by Senor
Canovas del Castillo and the Duke of Te-
tuan, during the past two years" and that
she now calls upon the American govern
ment to fulfill more strictly in the future
the rules and duties of international law"
because ''the success of the new home rule
policy and the speedy pacification of Cuba
chiefly depends upon the conduct of the
United States"
FL impartial publishes a cablegram from
Key West asserting that there is a strong
party in Cuba "fiercely opposed to Marshal
Blanco and the new regime" and that it
is feared his task will be very difficult.
London, Oct. 25.-The Madrid correspond
ent of the Daily Mail says:
The Spanish press unanimously sup
ports the attitude of the government.
which it calls eminently sober and digni-
fled. but the impression is that the con-
troversy with the United States has
reached critical stage which may be the
prelude to rupture: spoke with three
members of the cabinet to-day (Sunday)
who, in almost identical words. contended
that Spain has the right, after her tre-
mendous sacriiIces In Cuba. to demand the
observance of international neutrality by
other nations. One of them added: The
gordian knot is the United States. with
out whose help the rebellion would long
ago have been suppressed. We do not
want war, but every European nation will
approve of our defense of our interna-
tional rights
THE Spanish naval forces in the Carri-
bean sea will be strengthened on the pre-
text of necessity of increased vigilance
on the Cuban coast"
The Daily Mail says editorially this
morning:
The United States is morally bound to
give the Sagasta cabinet a fair trial. The
good intention with regard 10 Cuba is so
genuinely sincere. that it will be univer-
sally laid at McK1nley's door,
The Standards editorial on the same SUBJ
ject says:
Events have proved that the United
States fixed the end of October as the
date for Spain to reply to General Wood
lords note. and the change of ministry has
not bettered the situation as between Spain
difficulty to believe Spain has threatened
to search suspected vessels in Cuban
waters in case filibustering continues. ii is
quite certain that Senor DeLome will be
told that Spain would do SO at her own
peril.
1T is highly improbable that the United
may recognize the Cubans as belligerents
1t would then devolve upon Spain to decide
what retort to make to that damaging
move move 1t appears. therefore, that the grave
risk of rupture behooves Spain, with cool.
dispassionate circumspection to ask itself
what will be the result of hostilities with
America. We are thoroughly alive to the
courage and patriotism of SPAIN but she
would be hopelessly overmatched in such
a contest.
The American navy, though of modest
dimensions is of excellent quality and
could he increased indefinitely. whereas
there are. good grounds for believing that
the Spanish ships in the West Indies are
in most unsatisfactory condition. and
even. in the important matter of speed, far
short of modern requirements. Such a war
would inevitably mean the loss of Cuba,
after a costly and disastrous struggle,
which Spanish craftsmanship ought to do
everything in its power to avoid.
I'VE believe 1t is the idleSt of dreams for
Spain to hope for assistance from any Eu-
rLpean power. No doubt the United States
would manage to leave with Spain the re-
sponsibility of declaring war. and Europe
has too many burning questions of its own
in Europe. Africa and Asia to saddle itself
Eratuitously with another in the New
World"