The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-26
SITUATION A1ENACING.
Cuban TangIe, as Viewed by the
LGndOn Times

London Times.
LONDON, Oct. 25.-The Times, after
remarking editorialIy this morning that
the real danger is that America will
take some step to precipitate a crisis"
says:
Gen. Woodford's note, like other papers
from washington, cannot be construed by
the ordinary rules applicable to diplomatic
CO ooirtetsponoence. This is fortunate, inasmuch
as II contains expressions which, if they
game from a European chancellerie must
De interpreted as menacing war; But it ia
unfortunate, because it makes the meaning
OF the note ambiguous, that no clear intima-
ton is given of the consequences of a re-
fusal to aequiesce in the American demands
The note is extremely diffuse and abounds
in expressions of friendship and good will to-
ward Spain; but while 1t apologies for the
earnest and positive nature of the language
used on the ground that 1t is desirable to
prevent mlsunderstandings between two
friendly nations, that language in fact lacks
the precision which is usually expected in
documents of this kind.
There is the distinct statement that Amer
lean interests are suffering and that an at
utude OF neutrality cannot be prolonged in
definitely. There is mention of the con-
current resolution of the two houses of con-
gress last year, of the recent resolution of the
senate and of agitation In the United States
Ihere is an assurance that public opinion
now demands the recognition Of the 1nsur-
gents as belltgerents. In these circumstances
it is suggested that the Spanish government
should consider whether it Is not time to
terminate the war by proposals consistent
Win 1ts dignity and with the interests Of
Cuba To this end the government at Wash
lngton makes tender of it's good offices and
cans upon me Spanish government within the
present month to formulate definite proposals
Dy winch that tender may be rendered eff
fectiYe or to give satisfactory assurances that
the war will be brought to a speedy end.
Spain appears to prefer to lose Cuba in
a war she foresees will be disastrous to her
rather than to surrender what she regards
as just and right in Difference to menace.
1t is a foolish choice, but the choice of a
nation. On the other hand, if President Nc
Kfnley and his advisers are really animated
by friendly sentiments they profess they may
fairly consent to the modest demand of the
Sagasta cabinet for reasonable period to
settle the existing trouble"
Continuing, the Times says: "If this
demand Is refused, all Spaniards will
arrive at the conclusion that the ugly
rumors in circulation as to the finan-
cial influences working behind the
jirgo agitation are true, and that
President McKinley's plausible words
are merely intended to cover a project
ed abuse of superior physical strength.
The Times editorial is based upon
letters from Madrid describig the sit
uation, the second of which appears
today, dated Oct 18, the writer pre-
facing his remarks by saying that
circumstances and not American
pressure produced the change of min
istry," and adds: Were Canovas still
alive he would probably meet all
American representatives with a
naughty non poSseumus. The Liberals
will not go very far In the opposite
direction. But it may be hoped that
they will not altogether shut their eyes
to disagreeable realities, and will at
least adopt a less repellent attitude.
Their attitude will depend upon the
conclusion they arrive at as to the real
aims and intentions Of the United
States, a subject on which there are
considerable differences of opinion al
lowable, as Gen. Woodford's note is
capable of various interpretations"
The correspondent then discusses the
note in practically the same terms as
are used in the editorial He COM
ments on the fact that, while amiably
expressed the note hints its inten-
tions in a manner having disagree
BILE resemblance to the consecrated
phrase of diplomacy. wiser aux moy-
ems which in a similar European doc
ument would have the character Of
an ultimatum."
''The government has deferred reply
ing to the note" he continues, ''in
the hope that the United States would
wait for the results of the Sagasta
policy But the general opinion is that
this hope will not be realized If the
amicable assurances are regarded by
Spaniards as little beyond polite
phrases, signifying nothing and in
tended to cover unjustifiable aggres-
sive designs The fact that the insur-
rection was originally Matched in
America and is supported from there
is considered proof that the Americans
mean to possess Cuba; and the tender
of their good offices is regarded as a
cten in that direction.
"In support of this view the Amerl-
can correspondents of the Madrid pa
pers assert that an American synd1-
cate with enormous resources and with
influential backing at Washington, IS
preparing TO buy up the land, railways,
sugar and tobacco factories and 1nduS-
trial undertakings, and is even nego-
tiating with the rebel leaders with a
view to running the new Autonomist
government, possibly under the noml-
nal sovereignty of Spain, but in any
case. under the real protection OF the
United States.
"I understand that the Spanish gov
ernment possesses deal OF trustWor-
thv information on this subject. There
is no doubt that these projects exist,
and. if the authorities at Washington
svmpathiZe with them, as is suspected,
they will not be much inclined to wait
for the result of the new policy in
Cuba, but will persist in intervention
on the ground, according to the Wood
ford note, not of Weyler's cruelties.
but of injuries to American interests.
"On the whole, the prospects CT Gen.
Woodford obtaining any satisfactory
arrangement are not bright. Further
more, it would be a dangerous error
to imagine that the Spaniards are
playing a game Of bluff. They know
they would be beaten, but Castillian
pride is willing to accept the conse-
quences."
This is the burden of official talk
here. with this addition: eve never
signed the declaration of Paris against
privateering, and we ought to be able
to destroy American commerce all over
the world Let the Americans do their
worst. We are ready to accept the
consenIIences "