Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-09-08
Talking for Effect.

There no longer is any doubt but
possible attitude of this country on the
Cuban situation. Nor is it matter for
surprise that she is and that her off j.
cials are talking for effect But they
are saying really more than seems to
be called for unless they wish to pro-
woke war, under cover of which to re-
treat. Only the other day a Spanish
consul undertook to say what our rail-
roads should not transport from Chi
cago to the seaboard. 1t is unneces-
sary to remark that there are yet in
the world some things he has not OBJ
tained for the asking.
A despatch from Havana to the New
York Sun purports to give extracts
from a letter written by General
Azcarraga the new premier of Spain,
to a very prominent Spaniard in Cuba.
This letter was read at a private meet
ing but it's contents have not before
been made public. The substance of it
is that Uncle Sam should look out;
that if he interferes in Cuba it will
only give Spain, aided by other coun-
tries of Europe, an opportunity to put
an end to all our claims under the
Monroe doctrine. 1t does not seem t.
have occurred to the pompous premier
that more than a year ago with Eng
land to lead off Europe had an oppor
tunity to make an assault on the Mon
roe doctrine. They didn't care to when
Venezuela was the opportunity, ana
the sympathies of the common people
in England, France and Germany are
with the Cuban insurgents in their
struggle to be free from the intolerable
tyranny of Spain.
Though 'bosh" in the main those ex-
tracts from Azcarraga's pen are of in
terest and one reading them is almost
convinced that Spain under such stupid
leadership as that of the new premier
might undertake just such a QuiXotic
attempt as is here threatened:
''The Spanish patriots in Cuba ought
not to entertain the least apprehension
about the mission of Mr.. WOodfOrd.
According to the government S informa-
ton from it's representative in Wash
inStOn, the intentions of the United
States are probably much exaggerated,
and besides our position is SO clear and
our determination to repel any unjust
pretension of that nation so emphatic
that we are resolved before yielding to
go to all extremes, even to war if nee
essary, in order to defend our sacred
rights in Cuba.
Nor, if we go to war, shall we be
less confident of the triumph of SPAIN
We will be the champions of the great
political principle of European colonial
ton in America against that wrong
idea that the United States is the ar
bitter of national life and property in
the New World. We will have the
sympathies of Europe, no doubt about
that, and Europe will not consent to
our expulsion from Cuba. The day IN
which, by the power of arms, or yield
ing before warike pressure from the
United States, we shall give Cuba UP,
that day would be the eve of England s
loss of Canada and Jamaica, and
Frances departure from her American
colonies. No, Europe will not consent
to our failure, and apart from the fact
that our arms will have a better occa-
sion to display their strength in a con-
test against civilized country than in
the guerrilla fights in the maniguas OF
Cuba, we shall have, even if we fall a
hand to lift us up in the last moments
Gen. Woodford will be received and
even welcomed as our mourned Don
Antonio (Canovas del Castillo) wished
to welcome him. If he brings only
claims of American citizens harmed in
Cuba attention will be paid to those
claims as far as they are just. In q
friendly manner he will be notified alst
of Spain's right to claim other dam
ages, and instructions will be given fol
the purpose to our minister in Wash
ington. But it will be great mistake
if he intends to suggest any other kline
. of American interference in Cuba
Canovas did not answer the proposals
for home rule made by President Cleve-
land; but now, if the United States
persists, the answer will have to bs
given. 1t will be straight and firm
1t will end forever all those vain pre-
tensions of the Americans to rule out
side of their land. Spain will say tina
she does not admit in the least the
right of the United States to interfere
in Cuba, that the war between the Gu
ban rebels and Spain is but civil wa
a contest of family, and that foreigner
ought to keep hands off. And Spai!
will stand by her answer whatever tn,
consequences may be-"
A vigilance committee has been or
ganized in Galena, Kan, to enforce tn