The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-05


in Madrid, says the New York Journal,
which is having a, tremendous clrcu-
lation in the peninsula. It's character
and influence are so pronounced that
1t was thought worth while to call the
attention of the administration to II.
Following Is a correct translation of
the story, save that the unnecessary
amplifcation so dear to the Spanish
story writer Is omitted:
At the close of the nineteenth CEN
tury the United States of America was
one of the most prosperous, wealthy
and f1ourishing of nations. None 9TH
er had In so short time attained a
higher degree of material advancement.
Under such conditions It would seem
natural that people dominated by
strictly utilitarian and practical ideas,
in which everything was sacrificed to
gold and gain, should have been in
theNighest degree averse to warlike
projects, except for the defense of their
own territory. But public morality
scares gave signs of life. Politicians,
f1attering the base passions of the mob
to gain support, had finally gained con-
troll of all offices from the lowest to
the highest-control even of congress
and the executive branch of the gov
ernment.
THE MOTIVE
The tremendous growth of the ne
gro race was such as to lead to a de-
sire to rid the continent of a race
which was the victim of a contempt
as profound as 1t was unmarked by
charity. From these conditions was
born the idea of territorial expansion
in the Antilles which, from their cli-
matte conditions, were well adapted
to serve as negro colonies, and the
project of the annexation of Cuba was
considered by some politicians as the
best outlet for this undesirable race.
A president had been elected incap-
able of withstanding the popular clam
or. The nations of Europe, which had
professed the greatest friendship for
Spain, now stood aloof and left her
to face her formidable antagonist
alone. The belligerency of the Cuban
insurgents was recognized. Thus was
consummated the greatest of iniquities,
to the disgrace and shame of a civilized
nation, independent and powerful per-
haps by reason of the support and pro-
lection of that very nation she was
treating with such black ingratitude
A privateer was at once fitted out
with the connivance of the authorities,
and sent to cruise, under the name
of the Lone Star" to the northeast
of Porto Rico, in the path of Spanish
commerce.
Meanwhile Spain prepared for war.
Neither the numerical superiority of
the enemy nor the fear Of an adverse
issue prevented her from bending her
utmost energies to preparing for the
struggle.
In the United States military honor
was regarded as an anarchronous
conception of a civic virtue. Arms were
not placed in the hands of the youth
of the country selected according to
law, but in those of mercenares, Sc
duced by cupidity into the profession of
arms.
WAR LIMITED.
The United States being secure from
Spanish invasion and Spain being
equally secure from American attack
the war necessarily was limited to the
sea and to the Island Of Cuba, where,
perhaps, the yankees would try to send
regular troops to aid the ipsurrection-
lists. But the cost of the experiment
must necessarily be three or four
times greater than any army raised
under the system of obligatory SER
vice.
The American fleet was no less costly
than the land forces and, moreover
presented the serious drawback that a
great part of it's crew was composed
of sailors recruited in various for
eign countries, for native Americans
refused to submit to the discipline i'm
posed by the regulations
Both the army and navy of Spain
showed an immense moral superior
ity over the corresponding services in
the United States. The former was
composed of citizens of a free land
who sacrificed themselves on the altar
OF duty and country. The latter con-
sisted of mercenaries of divers ma
tionalities, who prosecuted the noble
profession of arms to the selfish ac-
QUESTION of gold and personal advan-
tage.
Great was the anxiety which reigned
not only in Spain but also in all Eu-
rope, in view of the proceedings of the
cabinet at Washington, and the news
which was received from Florida and
Louisiana, where were concentrated
$4,000 men-the entire active army of
the natlon-which was destined for SER
vice in Cuba.
AT this Juncture telegram from Por-
to Rico announced that the steamer
Lone Star mad captured and sunk with
in twenty miles of that island a Span
ish merchant brlgantine proceeding
from Barcelona to Mayaguez.
This dispatch produced general indig-
nation in Spain. and, although the au-
thorities acting with both prudence
and energy, succeeded in preventing
acts or violence against the consuls of
the United States, they were powerless
to suppress the great popular demon
strations, which were filled with en-
thusiasm when 1t was learned that a
Spanish cruiser had captured the pirate
craft and taken it into San Juan de
Porto Rico.
In this condition of affairs, and while
the great powers We're still trying to de-
wise peaceful solution of the problem
an American cruiser appeared at Porto
Rico, demanding the delivery of the
Lone Star, a demand repelled by the
captain general on the island, The
captain OF the cruiser gave him forty
eight hours in which to consult by tele-
graph with the government of Madrid
but before this term had expired talx.
ing advantage of the darkness of night
he sent an armed force in four boats
with orders to take possession of the
steamer The small guard of the steam
er was surprised, and surrendered
Wlthout nrlng a shot, and at the break
OF day the yankee cruiser sailed ma
1esticaiiy from the port, towing its prize
in its wake.
A