The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-06-02
DRAWING NEAR
A Crisis In Cuban Matters viii Be
Reached Soon.
SPAIN SAYS NATIONAL HONOR
Is Preferable to a Cash COnsidera-
tiOn Of Cuba's ReIsase-Shs
Courts a Spanking.
M'KINLEY WANTS A DIPLOMAT.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-[Special. BE
meath the surface OF events and gossip in
the national capital is a general air of OK
pectancy as to the Cuban situation. That
President Mckinley has determined TO do
something radical toward a settlement Of
the Cuban war Is no longer doubted. He
is only waiting for the return of Special
Commissioner Calhoun from Cuba and
for our new minister to Madrid to get set
tied in his post. Just what the president
will do is as yet unknown. 1t is doubted
II he has himself decided precisely what
his procedure is to be, but / find in cir
Giles which are in close touch with the
president strong belief that he will not
stop at mediation or the rendering of our
good offices He may make one or other
of these diplomatic moves at the outset,
merely for the purpose of putting upon
Spain the responsibility of rejecting, but
no doubt exists that in the end the presi-
dent intends to go much further-that he
will intervene for the purpose of bringing
about the independence of Cuba.
First Glass Diplomat Wanted.
The presidents anxiety to get first
class man, a diplomatist Of experience,
for the Spanish mission shows that he re-
CARDS the negotiations upon which he is
about to enter as Of great importance. As
a matter Of fact, the question Is one OF
war or peace. 1t is generally admitted
that once we have set out TO solve the GU
ban problem, once wo have proposed me
diation OF intervention, there will be no
such thing as turning back. We must go
on TO the end, let the consequences be what
they may. II Spain resents our interior
ence and talks of war, that will not deter
us.
At the present time, It must be admit
ted, Spain Is playing a strong hand. Senior
De LONE, the Spanish minister ut this
capital, does not conceal from his friends
his belief that war between Spain and this
country would surely follow any effort ON
the part Of the president to intervene He
may DC mistaken, but that he Is sincere
does not admit Of doubt. Senior De LONE
plainly says, In an unofficial way, that
bis countrymen would infinitely prefer
being driven out Of Cuba by soldiers Of
the United States 10 giving up the island
for q money consideration, no matter how
largo that might be. The one would save
the national pride and honor, while the
other would entail tho mostabiect humiii-
alton.
Whether Spain will or win not take
this attitude when the crucial test comes
remains to be seen. That the test Is COM
ing and coming soon have every reason
20 believe. Ii would be almost madness
for Spain TO 60 TO war with tho United
States Che Is bankrupt. Her resources
are already we'll nigh exhausted. She Is
no match for this country in any sense.
For fow weeks Spain might carry on a
determined and not wholly unsuccessful
naval war She might even threaten
some Of our ports with her fleet. But In
short time she would bo whipped to a
standstill, and would doubtless DO COM
PEELED to pay dearly for her temerity. Stills
Spain may fight i know that the posi-
bllity Of war has been considered by the
administration. The president and his
advisers do not underrate tho seriousness
Of the situation nor delude themselves
with tho idea that Spain Is sure to sur
render 10 us without the firing OF gun,
Can War BE Avertedf
President MoKinloy's hope Is 10 solve
tho Cuban problem without war; While
ID would DO a comparatively easy matter
for this country 10 conquer Spain and take
Cuba ~ the reward Of victory, the prosi-
dent foolg Il would rebound much more 10
the credit OF tho nation aud TO tho glory
OF his administration n Cuba could DO
freod o. acquired ~ purely diplolnaiio
ucana THAI would b triumph Indeed