The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-02
SPAlN'S LOSS IN 100 YEARS.
IN 1901 SHE OWNED MORE THAN
HALF OF AMERICA.

Now Has Only One Doubtful Little
IsIe-Gave Up Her Territory by
Purchase, by Grant and Bitterly
Contested COnhict-NOw Virtually
Acknowledges That Cuba Is Lost.
In 1892 a man named Columbus came
over here with money given him by the
Queen of Spain. He found a continent
here and took possession of it in
name of his sovereign. Then Spain own
ed" the New World.
But other explorers Immediately came
and took possession of corners of it. Eng
land took a big slice People came from
Holland and parts of England and, band
ing themselves together. finally called
themselves the United States.
In 1901 Spain found hereslf deprived of
the continet she had discovered $50
years before to a great extent. The entire
eastern coast was gone, both in North and
South America. and there were alarming
inroads in the center. But Spain still own
ed California, Florida. Central America
and all the western part of South Amer
lea.
To-day she owns nothing. Cuba is prac-
tically gone from her. The rest Of North
America has passed away by conquest, by
grant or by purchase. South America,
true has Spaniards living in it. But they
have formed Independent colonies and are
known as Chilians, Bolivians. Peruvians
and Columbians They love Spain, but
they love themselves more They will not
pay direct tribute or join in her govern
ment
Spain must now withdraw to the east
ern hemisphere, where she has a lovely
little peninsula, and confne herself to
That territory and a few rich little islands
in the Pacific. that still belong to her.
In losing North and South America
Spain has shown not such bad general
ship. nor in the opinion of her sovereigns
such bad judgment. England is the only
country that has been able TO divide her
self gracefully and govern lands across
an ocean. She does it by a broad policy
that allows home rule and almost abso-
lutte independence on the part of the
governor general. Victoria Regina's name
is upon the official note paper and
her head upon the money but she does
not grind" the people or compel them
to pay more than they would have to
pay to their own government if they were
free"
Spain, in giving up her western lands.
had made some pretty good deals. Others
were not so good. The outcome of the
Cuban war will tell whether she has
prohted by the Cuban struggle. If she
gets il absolutely back It will be hers
forever But if she parts with 1t and
makes 1t sclf-governing, as she now says
she is ready to do. she will not get the
tribute from 1t which the war needs to pay
its own debts.
SPANS first loss in the early part Of
the century was the great district cali
ing itself Louisiana. Spain had got Louis
lana IN 1862 from the French, who origi-
| nally discovered II. But when Napoleon
became consul he got Louisiana back, and
the big New orleans territory" and held
them secure. This embraced all the south
ern and middle portion Of the United
States and was the largest and richest
piece Of land then known.
The United States got II from the
French in 1893 by paying 100000. and IL
Is said that the Spanish have never ceased
10 mourn that they could not have held "
until this purchase. which would have en-
richcd their then diminishing Golfers
greatly.
SPANS next loss was Mexico by con-
quest in 1913 on that date Mexico de-
/ clared herself free And then began q long
series OF wars in which all countries Joined
but which resulted IN Mexican independ-
cnce on hard and sure grounds I'm 1918.
Spain lost heavily by this war
Texas still was Spanish territory. but BY
act OF United States congress IN 1915 Texas
was purchased from Spain IL had "a debt
Of S1.5Oo000, which 81 seemed as " Il could
never pay off, and Spain allowed the
United states TO take Texas n it would as
sumo that debt. There was vigorous oppo-
stion az the time. as the country was I'm
% state Of financial distress. But congress
insisted. and with what good results the
subsequent history Of Texas shows
Spain by this act lost territory Of SIS
Oo0 square miles, and twice az large as
Ohio New York ana Pennsylvania all
three put together.
Florida meanwhile had been nurchaaed