The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-10-09
SPAIN May
PROVOKE WAR
The Probable Outcome of the
Havana Demonstration.
STATE OFFICIALS sILENT-SOME
ADDITIONAL PREPARATIONS
FOR A WAR WITH SPAIN OR
ANY NATION-JUDGE DAY AND
MIR. CRIDLER THINK THE STU
ALTON ONE OF PROFOUND
PEACE AND HARMONY.

mt the State Department to believe that
there is any disturbance i'm Havana that
may lead to a clash between Sonin and
America. Two of the State Department
officials, Judge Day and Dir. Cridler,
were asked if they considered the reports
as warranting investigation.
| Both of these officials replied subgtnn-
| TALLY that the department. was not off
| cially informed of any disturbance and
they could not, therefore, discuss news
| paper reports.
Judge Day, on the contrary. finds moth.
| ing new in the situation. This official.
however, always takes nm optimistic view
or no view ut all, until he has an official
| landscape to look mt.
There must, however, be some reason
| for the sudden outbreaks in Havana aud
it is not necessary TO 20 far to seek that
reason According to the dispatches the
populace are aglow with enthusiasm for
the retention of Gen. Weyler This cap
tain-general is undoubtedly the most un-
popular official who ever governed or
misgoverned Cuba. 1t is not, perhaps,
far wrong to assume thnt what enrages
| the Spaniards in Cuba and out of it is
that the recall of Weyer is known to be
an American suggestion. AT least, it is
| the American idea that the warfare in
Cuba be hnnnnized and that is regarded
as impossible with Weyler in command.
The Havana demonstration is, there
fore, apparently an ovation for Weyler.
but really u vigorous protest against
American interference. Weyler has
perhaps personally conducted the in.
dorsement of himself, aud will in time
make it disagreeable for the queen regent
70 run counter to the wishes of the
"loydl" Spauiards of Cuba that he NAV
be retained. In that event, which is not
one OF the improbabilities, American
diplomacy will receive II severe fall, and
alter that the State Department will not
pursue the inquiry.
In the meantime every additional ru.
NOR or report that escapes from the Navy
Department. smells of gunpowder, shot,
| she'll and battleship. In addition to the
tips published yesterday concerning
the recommendation of the Secretary
of the Navy in his forthcom ng annual
report there arc some items the cost and
amount of which must be raised to get
near the actual figures. 1t was learned
yesterday that $500, 900 will be asked for
the completion of the batteships Kear.
sarge ard Ker lucky. The figures for the
purchase of guns for the merchant ma
rine are said to he 100000. The request
fer an appropriation for powder will be
raised from 81, 900, 600 TO 81 100000
Another significant fact is that two
thirds of the powder purchased is to be
put on board the battleships, cruisers,
etc.
The Navy bureau chiefs said that the
Spaninrds could hardly act otherwise
than ut present, considering the con
tinual Haunting of war and wars alarms
in their faces by this nation. The Spanish
government takes no stock in the
friendly { flee business
1t must be plain to it that there is
something of secret import in a nation
which holds ont the assurance to Spain
that all is well, and then proceeds to get
ready for war on II scale nearly commen-
surate with the available force of the
country.
1t Is not to be expected that when
America permits all it's plans to be bulle-
tined Spain can avoid seeing them, and
especially when the plane can only nave
one intention, one end.
1t is easy to see now that there is dis
position en- the part of the conservatives
to insist on the retention of Weyler rs Il
rehuke to America, and the evidence SO
far is that he may be retained. In fact.
it will he made to appear to the queen
regent necessary that Weyler be retained
in order to hold the military forces in
Cuba 10 their loyalty
In that event the queen would yield.
III Weyler is retired or recalled or re-
| moved, it might be as we'll to look for
trouble, in which case the more prepar-
at'ons, past, present and future, the Bat
ter