Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-06-05
HARRISON May FILL
The MADRID MISSION
The Plan to Make the Post an En-.
bassy Is Based Upon a
Special Purpose.
THIS IS ONLY TO BE TEMPORARY
McKinley's Object Said to BE tC
Induce the Ex-President 10
Accept the Trust---End
OF Cuban War Near.

Washington, May 3l.--President Nc
kinney is making the moves in his Gu
ban policy as steadily n surely as a
master Of chess moves the pieces across
the board. Day by day his plans come
to light. not by direct announcement,
but by indications nc less sure and pos
tive. And like the game OF chess, Zach
move is compelled TO year relation to the
counter move Of his Spanish opponents
and the developments of the situation.
Three men are thoroughly within the
inner circle of MciK nley's statecraft-
the president himself, Assistant Secre-
tary Of State Day and Calhoun, the spe-
cial envoy to Cuba. The work Of pre-
pairing the way for the negotiations
with Spain is being pushed as speedily
as possible, but diplomacy is slow and
the president besides is bothered by the
tariff bill.
There viii be notes and pour parleis,
but the progress will be TOWARD IN in
evitable conclusion-the r~e-establish
. ment of peace in Cuba, peace with indie
pendence, the policy announced In the
republican platform at St. Louis. The
first move was the Sending Of Mr.. Cal
houn to Cuba the second and more inn
portant will be the nomination of a
minister to Spain.
1t is about settled that the Spanish
mission will be raised 10 the dignity Of
an embassy, temporarily at least. The
gravity OF the occasion warrants Il,
though when the special mission is
brought TO a successful ending the OBJ
ject OF the dignity will also enc
II would be peculiarly fitting, however,
If the plan which it is whispered is in
the presidents mind. shall be followed
the offering of this important post to
former President Harrison. This would
be a singularly telling stroke, not only
at home, but with the Spanish people,
peculiarly susceptible to the compli-
ment conveyed.
If not to Harrison, VINO may decline,
the mission is sure to fall TO some states
man distinguished for his ability and
judicial mind-perhaps ex-senator Ed
munds or Joh A. Kasson, who has held
the Austrian and Berlin missions, and
who was offered the Spanish mission by
Hayes.
SO sure is the president that his course
Will be followed by success that he is
more than anxious that congress should
have patience and await executive ac-
ton. But the president also realizes
that at the proper time some definite
sign to Spain that the United States is
practically solid in support Of the ad-
ministration's policy will be of value.
With the desired representative at
Madrid the administration will move
ahead steadily toward the goal.
The settlemtn of the Cuban war will
mark an epoch In American statecraft.
The incident will become historic. Cen
eral Harrison, in this view of the mat
ter, may, ii is thought, be persuaded to
accept the ambassadership to Spain and
lend his influence and talents toward
the re-establishment of peace.
The presence of Estrada Palma, pres.-
dent OF the Cuban junta, in Washington,
is for the purpose of supplying the presi-
dent with facts concerning the provisional
governments position and its LAIN for
recognition.
Whren Mr.. Calhoun makes his written
report to the president to bring the evil
dence down 10 date, the president will
make known TO Spain his policy at great
length and in the most courteous and dip
lomatic language, yet firmly and unmis-
takably. lie Will say, in substance:
THE United States are thoroughly post
ed on the situation in Cuba. You cannot
reconquer the island. In over two years
of bloody and destructive warfare you
nave demonstrated that fact without
question. The insurrection is as strong or
stronger than ever.
I'VE have remained passive witnesses OF
the terrible destruction of lives and prop
erty, TO the almost irreparable injury of
American property and commercial inter-
ests, for which there can be no recon-
pense. We can wait no longer. The pro-
v~isional government is willing to pay an
indemnity TO be determined by direct
agreement and the United States stands
ready to guarantee the payment. This
gives you a chance TO retire with honor
and with fair recompense.
The alternative forced upon the United
States by inexorable events is direct and
forcible Intervention, in which case but
one result can come-you will not only lose
Cuba but lose 1t without a dollar of in
demnity.