New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-10
nov OUIYOTE'S Successors.

| The Knight Of the Rueful Countenance seems
| 70 have some SUCCESSORS in the offices Of Spanish
| newspapers On no other theory does 1t seem
possiblc TO explain some of the extraordinary
| comments on President McKney's Message.
| Ouixotic patriots sec foes in every windmill and
run a-tilt against them with their dripping pens.
| In what Cave of Monteslnos they have been
dreaming or have been deluded by fake SEN
sations it might not be difficult to say. were
that to the point The practical effect Of their
antics is however OF more concern. No harm
can come to this country. That IS sure But
the Spanish mind may be excited, the Spanish
Government embarrassed, and the already ar
duous task Of effecting just and honorable
settlement in Cuba made still more difficult
These things. If they come to pass, Will be re-
GREETED, no less by the American people than by
all other sincere friends OF Spain.
Attack is made chiefly upon the utterances or
the President concerning alleged fibusterng
which are denounced as cynical and OF evil In
tent Why? Because the President boldly and
straightforwardly denies the charges that have
been so reckessly made OF lnfractlons Of the
neutrality laws. 1t was perfectly evident TO
every impartial observer long ago. that no con-
siderable amount of flibuscring. II any, was
going on The Spanish Minister at Washington.
one Of the most watchful and diligent Of public
servants Spain ever had. has repeatedly adj
mitted that there was no ground for current
reports OF flibusering The detailed report OF
the Secretary of the Treasury, now published,
must be finally convincing to all who read 1t.
He shows that since the present war began only
six American vessels of insignificant size, have
landed expeditions in Cuba; six, ont of a total
,,ccI for tho
purpose. Sixty expeditions are alleged to have
been attempted. or these the United States has
frustrated thirty-three, and ten others have
failed through other causes. Seventeen are said
to have been successful but in every case but
two which two are still pending, this Govern
ment has fully INDICATED It's good faith by pun
ishng the principals or otherwise. This Gov
eminent has constantly employed eight vessels
In this police work. sending them more than
10, ZOO miles. If any other country has better
record than that, under similar circumstances, 1t
would be interesting to know which 1t Is.
On the other hand observe the record OF Spain
herself While the United States has stopped
thirty-three out Of sixty expeditions Spain has
prevented only four OF the remaining twenty
seven from landing. The "lmparcar' says "the
Spanish flag floats over Cuba" Why. then.
does II not make its presence there effective!
Spain Is free to seize every unlawful expedition
that enters Cuban waters, whether ilibusters or
smugglers She has only 200 miles OF coast to
patrol, while the United States has $40 miles.
II Americans are smuggling in goods. Spain
ought to strengthen her revenue police. II
Americans are running the blockade. Spain
should make her blockade more effective; for Il
IS n wel-cstabllshed principle OF international
law that mere paper blockade need not be
respected.
The fact Is. the United States Government has
done all II was required 70 do. under the letter
expeditions to Cuba II any number Of such
expeditions has been successful and the Span
ish cause has been injured thereby. Spain has
only herself or the wretchcd Incompetence ~
her braggart blundcrcr, Wcylcr. 10 blame for H.
But there Is little reason 10 believe that such
expeditions have materially affected the course
OF the war The logic which some Spanish ed
itors seem 10 have adopted Is this: without
great help from the United States the Cubans
could not have held out against Weyler; but
they did hold out against him: therefore they
must have got great help from the United
States That would 10 conclusive. were the
major premise proved. or susceptible Of proof;
but II IS not. Senior Sagasta recognizes that
fact, and does Sefor De LONE. and II Is not
conceivable that they regard the bombastic
Quixotry OF those who should be their support
ers with feelings other than Of dIsapproval and
regret