The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-26

~ Critical olsustlon Interests the
nuropeaa Press.
ruE LONDON TINES EDITORIAL,


spouosut Of he Standard telesrsphed yes
tsrdav: ..United States Minister Woodford
resolved SPANS reply today, 1t is said to
b : document Of over thirty pases.
The Spanish papers assert that the Gov
eminent will not send note 70 the Euro
pean powers until events compel. Finan-
cisi circles In Spain are more anxious tnan
politicians. The latter seem TO expect the
United States will hesitate when they zee
Spain II In earnest
The Times, after Remaining editorisiiy
this morning that the real danger Is that
America will take some step TO pyeciritate
a crisis" says: General wcodfo- is note,
IKE other papers emanating tiom wash-
ingtnn, can not be construed by the ordi-
nary rules applicable to Diplomatic corre-
spondeuce. This Ia fortunate inasnluch as
Il ccntains expressions. which, II they
oau,e from an European chancellor must
b accepted a. menacing war. but 1t ID
unsortnnate because It makes the meaning
OF the note ambiguous, that no clear in
timatton is given on the consequence OF
refusal 10 acquiesce in the American de-
mand. The note Is exceedingly effuso and
abounds In declarations Of friendship, but
while IL apologies for the earnest and
positive nature OF the language used on
the ground that 1t is desirable to pre,tht
Misunderstanding between two friendly
nations. the language in fact lacks the pre-
cision which is usually expected In docu-
ments OF this kind.
This rs the distinct statement. Amer
lean interests are suffering and that an
attitude Of neutrality can not he prolonged
indefinitely. There is mention OF the con-
current resolution OF the TWO houses OF
congress last year. of the resolution OF the
senate and OF agitation in the United
States. There is an assurance that public
opinion now demands recognition OF In
surgants az belligerents. In these c'rcum-
stances It is suggested tia. the Spanish
government should consider wht iher II is
not time to terminate tho war by propos-
ais consistent with It's dignity and With the
interests OF Cuba 70 this enl the gov
ernment at Washington makes tender 81
it's good offices.
Spain appears to prefer to lose Cuba In
Q war she forcsees Will be disastrous TO her
rather than To surrender what she regards
an just and right In Difference to menace.
1T Is foolish choice, but the choice of
a nation. On the other hand II President
Mckinley and his advisers are really
animated by the friendly sentiments they
~. H,a,.t
modest demand OF the Sagasta cabinet for
reasonable period to settle the thorny
problem handed down by their predeces-
sos.
at this demand Is refused. all Spaniards
will arrive at the conclusion that the ugly
rumors In circulation as 10 the financial
influences wo'king behind the lingo agi-
tation are true and that President McKin-
iey's plausible words are merely intended
to cover projected abuse OF superior ply
steal strength
The Times editorial is based on letters
from Madrid. The writer. prefacing his
remarks by saying circumstances and not
American pressure produced the change OF
ministry" adds
Were Canovas still alive he would prob
ably meet all American representations
with a naughty non possumus. The liberals
VITA not so very far In the opposite direc-
ton"
The correspondent then discussed the
note In practically the Same terms as are
used In the editorial. He comments on the
fact that while amiably expressed. the note
hints in us manner, having Disagree
able resemblance to the coneecrated phrase
Of diplomacy, 'vizer aux moyens' which
In a similar European document would
have tho character OF an ultimatum."
The government has deferred replying
to the note he continues; "in the hone
that the United States will wait for the
result of the sagasta policy. but the gen.
eial opinion Is that the hope will not be
realised. In support OF this View, the
American correspondents OF the Madrid IA
Peers assert that an American syndicnte
with enormous resources ana with influ-
entail backing at Washington. is preparing
70 buy the land. railways. sugar aua TO-
pacco factories and industrial unde.taklnra
ana Is even negotiating with the r,.hei
ieaders with view to running The new
Autonomist government. possibly ,Eder The
nominal sovereignty Of Spain, OFT in any
case under real protection Il The Tilted
states. ! understand the spt,lsa eoyerna
nent Possesses deal of Trustworthy in
formation on this subject, There is no
doubt these projects exist and as the au-
thorities at Washington sympathI1e With
them. as Is suspected, they viii not be
much inclined to walt for the result o. the
new policy in Cuba.
"on the whole. the prospect Of General
Woodford obtaining any satisfactory ar
engagements are not bright. Furthermore
Il would be dangerous error to imagine
the Spaniards are playing game Of hun.