The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-06-30
For Cuba's Liberty Given In Full by
Walter WeIIman.
SPAIN MUST WITHDRAW TROOPS
Ana That Means Freedom and In
dependence for Cuba In the
Broadcast Sense.
SPANS ONLY ALTERNATIVE.


work at Madrid. General Woodford will
take with him to Spain written instruo-
lions as to what he is to cV. At first he is
TO prepare the Spanish statesmen for what
Is coming, and when the opportune mo-
ment arrives he is to present the demand
Of this government concerning Cuba. That
this demand will be all the real friends of
Cuba could wish know to be the truth.
Minister Wcodford will ask that Cuba be
given full and complete local self govern
ment. Spain is to hold a titular sover-
eighty over Cuba and nothing more That
would amount to very little. IL would be
the slenderest sort of a thread between the
old country and the colony. The Cubans
would be able to govern themselves as
fully as II they were absolutely independ-
ent. Spain would be required 10 with
draw her troops from the island, and all
the world knows that evacuation Of Cuba
means Independence. Spain has for many
years maintained her authority In Cuba
solely through military power, and when
this Is once taken away Cuba will be vir-
tually free.
The Presidents Plans.
For the time being, II the presidents
Ilans are carried out. Cuba will virtually
be under the protection Of the United
States. 1t Is not meant by this that the
United States will send governors or 9TH
or officials there or maintain troops in the
island, but that the moral pressure Of our
government will be used to regulate affairs
In Cuba. The Cuban government will nat
urally look to the United States for guild
ance. In case Of trouble the power of this
nation may be interposed to restore order.
Thus for time at least Cuba would enjoy
local self government really under the joint
protection of Spain and the United States
Nominally Spain would retain the island
as colony. Actually the United States
would be tho controlling power.
The Cuban leaders In this country tell
me that tho very day Spain evacuates the
island they will declare their independence.
The Cuban leaders figure that their armies
can take possession of the cities, control
the government and rule the island. But
II the United States brings Spain to q reali
zntion of the futility Of further continuance
of the war and induces that proud and
ha ughty government to admit the great
republic as a joint regulator Of Cuban af-
fairs 1t is expected the Cubans will yield TO
the will of this government and respect
any pledges made by us in their behalf.
All this Is upon the supposit!on that
Spain will yield to the United States with
out war. Whether she will or not no one
can now say. There are indications In
both directions First must be considered
the proverbial pride Of the Spanish. Could
any ministry maintain itself at Madrid
after 1t had yielded to the detested Yam
keesY Would It not be- swept out of power?
There Is such danger. The party that
came In upon the ruins Of the offending
ministry would probably have as Its cam
paign cry war with the United States.
Cuba is the last of SPANS great colonies
In America. II that Is lost, the dream OF
empire is gone forever, 1t Is not an easy
problem this of asking once great and
still proud nation TO give up the last OF Its
oversee heritage, which at one time-was
greater than that Of any other nation.
spaln's Condition.
On the other hand, II is known that
Spain is In no condition to make war upon
the United States or any other first class
power. The Spanish treasury is we'll nigh
bankrupt The war In Cuba is costing
about $40, 900, 900 month. Already Spain
Is behind many millions In her war 40
counts. The soldiers are unpaid. The
paper money falls lower and lower In COM
parIson with gold values. Large interest
dues upon the public debt are soon TO be
paid, and as yet IL Is not clear where the
money Is coming from. II Spain does go
TO war with the United States the result
OF 1t will never DO in doubt. Spain will
be whipped--badly whipped. In that case
not only Cuba but probably Puerto Rico
would be lost as colonies. In addition, the
United States would have TO be indemni-
fed for the war expenses, as victorious
nation always Is.
Such war might during Its continu-
ance serve as a sop to Spanish pride. While
the fighting was going on Spain would be
united and enthusiastic nation. For
short time a good showing might be made
against this country, for the Spanish navy
Is not to be despised. But after tho ineVi-
table defeat had come, with all Its disaster
and chagrin, with ruin staring the coun-
try In the face, what would be the fate Of
the Spanish royal family This Is the
question which the ablest men In Spain
are today considering and which will be-
come still moro pointed and vital ques-
ton as soon as General Woodford shall
have presented his Instructions Over the
reigning Spanish family hangs the shadow
Of republicanism on the one side and OF
Carlistism on the other. A disastrous war
with the United States might bring one
or other ofthese up as an avalanche.
spain's Only Alternative.
1t Is no violation OF confidence on my
part TO make the statement that our gov
eminent expects Spain TO yield to tho de-
mands which General Woodford Is TO pre-
sent Under the circumstances our OH
cIals do not see how Spain can do any
thing else. 1t IL a stern necessity. Real
lzIng this, II Is President McKinley's poll
Icy 10 give tho Spanish government every
opportunity 20 accede 60 our wishes and
at the same time 10 meet It's most diiilcult
and hazardous home situation. All the
president wants Is results, and he does not
caro- how they are secured. II spain will
move apparently OF her own motion and
wish and seemingly not on account OF
pressure brought 10 bear by the United
states, so much the better. In order to
plncato public opinion In Spain, the Mad
rid government may reject our PROPOSE
zion and then formulate one OF los own.
II this proves 10 DO an adequate solution u
the Cuban problem, Il viii bo accepte'
but. n not. then Spain must expect the In
torgenllon OF the United States.
/ am able b say upon high authority
that no settlements Of the Cuban diiiiouity
that docs MOI secure virtual independeI .
q The I1I4uI WITH be 1oCo1(CI 1Y lIo pIC4l-