Evening star., 1897-06-03
BELLIC0SE REMARKS OF A JOURNAL
People in General Kept in |gnor-
ance Of Passing Events.
AGAINST SPAIN
From The Stars Special Correspondent.
e.. 49, HAVANA, Cuba, May 20,


half-unsheathed In Spain the scabbard yet
hangs idly by the side of the loyalist in her
distracted colony. The ponulace cannot
become excited when it knows nothing of
events in other parts of the world. That is
the situation in Havana and the rest Of
the island. The passage of Senator Nor
gans resolution is known to every insur-
gent camp in the forest depths and the
mountain fastness. 1t is not known at this
time to the loyal Spanish population of
Cuba Martial law and a censorship that
allows no trifiing are the causes of this
quiet.
Notwithstanding this public ignorance it
is possible t. gain some idea of the out
come of the United States recognizing the
Insurgents as belligerents. I write without
knowledge of the status of the Morgan
resolution. But II 1t Is ultimately to be-
come effective these observations will ap-
ply. Mr.. Calhoun has been thinking more
this week of the starving pacificos. who
are the helpless victims of Spain's war
policy, than Of prospective international
complications. or of hostilitfes between the
two countries. Yet he has heard opinions
suggestions and even advice on the ques-
ton Of belligerency. Presumably his own
views will in time be communicated to
President Mckinley, but this may not be
till he has formed a more deliberate judg-
ment.
When the first word came of the prospec-
tive recognition of the insurgents by the
United States the loyal Spaniards did not
seek to conceal their bitterness. While the
palace officials would not permit the news
to become public 1t naturally spread among
the governing class and the officers.
The Spanish merchants also knew of it.
The officers wanted war right away. They
repeated their cherished scheme of taking
Florida as a beginning. The government
officials declared that the friendly rela-
tions between the two countries were now
at an end. There had been a prospect of a
settlement of the trouble, in which the
United States would bear an honorable
part, but that was gone, and we must
take the responsibility for our course. The
merchants had little to say except to de-
plore the probability of further trouble.
The Havana Papers.
Though the newspapers were not per-
mitted to tell what was happening in the
United States. they were allowed to proph-
esy what might happen. Diario de la
Marina. the staid old journal of conscrv-
atism, came out with what was understood
tack on the United States for failing to
enforce the laws against filibustering ex-
petitions, it gave warning in the name of
loyal Cubans that recognition of bellieer-
ency would be followed by war. The call
OF honor and Of duty, it declared, would
be answered by an appeal to arms. This
attack was tnf1ammatory, but La Lucha
appeared with an article calling its es-
teemed contemporary a strutting peacock
and denying the right to represent loyal
Cuba Instead, La Lucha, declared, Diario
represented only half dozen old women
ara mad no business pretending to speak on
any matter of national policy. These Jour-
railstlc amenities were taken by the know
Ing, ones to mean that the palace had as
yet no definite policy
weeks reflection has not changed the
feelings of the Spanish loyalists. though
they are more cautious in giving utterance
to them. Some have told Mr., Calhoun and
have doubtless been sincere, that recosnf.
lion OF belligerency would mean war. He
has declined to discuss with them the rea
scnableness or the Righteousness of what
ever course the United States NAV take
HIS mission to Cuba is not for that pur.
pose He has listened with courtesy to
whatever was said and has uniformly told
the representatives OF Spanish loyalty that
the best thing to do under present cir.um
stances Is to keep calm.
Inc merchants are trying to take this
advice. They say that the Spanish nation
Is high strung and that an appeal to the
patriotic spirit might cause war without a
thought Of the cost with billetes. or the
scrip, still falling and with the financial
conaitions growing worse. They themselves
thn -
recognition Of belligerency itself the opin-
Ion is quite general among them that the
relative status of the government and the
insurgents will not be changed. The in
surgents may get little money, but as
these Havana merchants see no end to Tho
struggle in sight they place little report
ance on reinforcements for either sice.
Their state OF mind is utterly hopeless.
Retrtbutive Justice.
As to Spain having a real grievance
against the United States in the event of
bell!gerency being recognized, that view
finds little support here. Some of the old
American residents see in it retribusiye
justice. During the civil war Havana was
an arsenal for the confederacy. Sympathy
and practical aid were given it. After Lees
surrender to Grant Gen. J. c. Breckenridge
and other fugitive officers found shelter
here. Judah p. Benjamin made 1t his rest
ing place till he could safely go to Europe.
An ex-confederate officer called my atten-
ton to these facts and reminded me that
Spain was the first European country to
recognize the confederacy. AS an ex-con-
federate he did not want to seem migrate
ful. but as q reconstructed American citizen
he assumed that whatever the United
States did would be right. In his opinion
Spain should stand by the precedent she
herself set.
A WarshiD Needed ut Havana.
have made careful inquiry. and cannot
discover that any American citizens In
Cuba are fearful Of the consequences to
themselves from the recognition of bellig-
erency. They are ready to take their
chances. even In the event Of war. The
wisest statesmanship would unquestionably
be to have warship In the harbor OF Ha-
(Contjnued On Thdrd Pn1el -