Arizona republican., 1897-11-06
THE CUBAN SITUATION.

It would be idle folly, from pres a speedy termination of the conflict now in progress in Cuba, or to req sonably expect an amicable and sat- isfactory solution of the question in the near future.
 The situation is fick1e and danger ous, and the close observer cannot fail to notice that with each succeed ing day there are incidents occur ring which bode no good. The in iternational Kaleidoscope revolves and f1uctuates as though it were operated by willy statecraft rather than peace ful intentions, and the ray of c0nfi- dence it sheds one moment is dis pelled or clouded with duplicity the next.
 A few days ago the world was made glad when from Madrid came the tid- ings that the war would immediately end in the peaceful and political en- ancipation of the Cuban people. We were told that Spain was ready and willing to voluntarily grant such a liberal measure of autonomy as would be equivalent almost to national in- dependence. As an earnest of this promise promise 1questionably influenced by the attitude of the United States -Sagasta recalled his human bloodhound, Weyler, and inti- mated that he would send in his place a captain general whose mission would be the harmonizing of the di- vided elements in Cuba and the ps- 1 ginning of such reforms as would cause hostilities to cease, cover the bloody field of slaughter with the white robes of tranquility and peace. ] We'll, the peace maker" has come, 1 surrounded with all the trappings of war. In his words there is no mes sage of friendship-in his actions there is no harbinger of reform. He out-Weylers Weyler in his fierce de- nunciations of the sacred cause for l which the patriots have risen, and in language too plain to be misunder- stood tells them the war will go on and on until the last of the gala t band sinks into death or acknowl- edges the supremacy of the Spanish flag. The autonomy his proclama- tions portend is the autonomy of the grave; the only reforms his policy i'm conditional only on the total surren- der of Cuban principles.
 This, divested of the glamour o1 i spacious Spanish diplomacy, is the situation in Cuba today, and it is lit. tie wonder that the men who have risked their all in the struggle should doubt the sincerity of their tradi. tional enemies and refuse to lay dowr their arms until they have absolute assurances that the cabinet at Mad rid is acting in good faith
 Behind Spain's glittering promise. Of reform and autonomy there are grave reasons ito think that she does not mean what she says and that she is playing bold game for delay. Sc far. General Blanco has done the very opposite of what the cabinet outlined and indicated he would do. Tn addi. tion to this, Spain has just secured { loan of s110,0 ,000, and the dispatche. convey the startling intelligence thaI she has purchased seven cruisers with deadly and rapid firing guns which were intended for another gov ernment.
 All this means something othe than peace; it looks rather like tn, calm before the storm; and if Uncl
 Sam wants to be on the safe side h,
 would do we'll to watch with suspic ion the menacing signs which seen to underlie every step recently takel by the Spanish government anent th
 Cuban situation.