The Saint Paul globe., 1897-06-05
THE SPANISH CRISIS.

THE SPANISH Ch1S1S.
The crisis that has developed at Mad
rid, involving the resignation of the
ministry and exciting the people Of
Spain with the possibility of govern
mental changes, is due directly to the
condition of affairs in Cuba and its
bearing upon the relations between
Spain and the United States. It is the
course that Spain has seen fit to fol-
low in her island colony that is respon-
sible for her difficulties, out of which
no simple or satisfactory way Is appar-
ent. 1t is the same old story of his
tory over again; the story of grievances
that demand redress, but do not touch
in the first instance popular loyalty;
Of a naughty refusal, by those who
have the power, to do justice; rising
tide of mutiny that develops into
war of independence, and refuses Of
fered concessions that would have more
than satisfied had they been granted
in the first place.
If, at the outbreak of the Cuban
revolution, Gen. Campos, who was
known to hold views more moderate
than his associates. had been author
lied by the Spanish government to Of
fer to the people Of Cuba such finan-
cial and political reform, including To-
cal autonomy, as Spain would be only
too willing to yield now, as the price
Of nf IN, oil
ability we would have had no Cuban
war, with it's attendant atrocities With
thus much Of liberty and self-govern-
ment the people would have been pacf--
fed, if not satisfied, and the develop
ment of Cuban industry would have
gone hand in hand with the achieve
ments of Cuban independence. Instead
of that, Campos was relieved peremp-
torily of his command, on account of
the mildness of his measures, and the
butcher Weyler was sent over to crush
the insurrection. He has succeeded
in developing spirit among the Cuban
people that is unwilling to accept al
most any terms from so vile a master,
and has stirred in the breasts Of the
whole American people an intense de-
sire and a stern demand for interven-
ton before the last Cuban shall have
been exterminated
At last, the Spanish government it.
self perceives that there is great dam
ger Of the freeing of Cuba by a disas-
trous war between the United States
and Spain. Were the people of this
country free to work their will, were
they not misrepreseneed by senators
and representatives, half of whom are
timorous towards and the other half
blatant jingoes, they would, ere this.
have taken measures to wipe out
the infamy of Spanish rule in Cuba.
Not always will their devotion to lib
erty be suppressed, and Spain acknowl-
edges it, She is today, however, help
own obstinate folly. The people of
Cuba have lost so much and suffered
so much, have become imbued with a
hatred against the oppressor so pas
probably accept no terms short Of COM
plete independence. The people of Spain.
Is a whole, are just as determined not
t. let their subjects go. The Lib
erals might be willing to pursue a more
enlightened policy than the Conserva-
tives but ministry with Sagasta at
its head would be as powerless as that
of Canovas to consent, or even to sug-
gest, that Cuban independence is
practical possibility.
Just as the British parliament might
have averted the American revolution
by a slight concession in questions Of
taxation, so the Spanish cortes might
have held Cuba indefinitely loyal and
contented by the grant Of moderate re-
form. 1t is too late now, as it was too
late for compromises after Lexington
and Bunker Hill. Willingly or unwill-
ingly, Cuba must be set free; and no
price that Spain may have to pay can
be too heavy for her desert in the afro
cioIs york done in Cuba, with her con-
sent and under her direction. From
the first, it has been clear to those not
biased by passion that the most seri-
Gus effects Of the Cuban revolution
were bound to be felt in Spain itself.
The cabinet crisis is only an indication
of one Of these, and this wretched and
crippled survival of a once glorious
monarchy may perish utterly from the
earth before its sins against Cuba have
wrought just retribution.
The G o e wants to know IL the two
wings of the Democratic party are going to
get together. The Democratic party has no