The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-05
Something That Cleveland Can't Do.

We have said that CLEVELAND has
reached the end OF his tether. or rope, so
far as helping Spain, hurting Cuba, n dis
crediting the United States are concerned.
1t would be at his peril, even at this time in
his career, II he were to attempt to render
to Spain a service which Spain desires from
him before he goes u Of office. 1t would
be at his peril II he were to seek to stretch
the rope.
We have printed a letter from Havana
containing a piece Of Spanish news in circu-
lation there, that Mr.. CLEVELAND made
an arrangement with Sefor CANovAs to
help Spain materially in establishing her
dominion in Cuba before the end Of his
term" We had previously received infor-
nation OF a like character from Madrid,
where the official and semi-oficial organs
are always on the alert for favors from
Washington. The report from Madrid was
moro explicit than that from Havana.
1t was to the effect that Mr.. CLEVELAND
would send a mandate to the Cuban in
surgents, sustained by q display of force,
and accompanied by an expression Of his
approval Of the reforms" granted by
Spain: and that, besides this. he would give
orders for the arrest of tho Cuban repre-
sentatives and agents in this country, and
for their punishment as disturbers OF the
peace and as enemies OF a FRENZY power.
1t seems hat the report gave much s~atisfac-
ton to the ultra royalists at Madrid.
They had always expected something of
the kind. While Mr.. CLEVELAND had
been constant in his devotion to Spanish
interests, and had always bolstered
up Spanish rule in Cuba, and had
%striven, to the full OF his ability, to dis
courage and cripple the insurgents, he had
both the will and the power to render to
Spain a final service OF the very highest
value to her. 1t was thought that he would
surely perform it before leaving Office, and
that he could easily find the opportunity for
it's performance. A good time would be that
OF some Spanish success against the in
surgents, when WEyLER should give notice
OF the Spanish paciHcation OF Cuba and the
disruption OF the rebel gangs. 1t would be
an act satisfactory to Spain, and worthy Off
man like CLEVELAND, who would thus con-
summate his Spanisli-Cuban policy.
1t was a justiflable reckoning for Spain.
1t was manifestly in the line of Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS conduct for a year past. Spain could
not believe that no would take to the woods
as a tramp who had failed to make the
enemy hold up his hands.
Nevertheless, we are able to say that
CLEVELAND cannot fulfil Spanish expecta-
tions in this case. Were ne to attempt to
do so, even at the end OF his term of office,
it would be at his peril! There would be a
strong hand upon his arm. There would
DO q power In his front greater far than his
own. There would be a voice at his ear
louder than thunder. There would be held
up to his face a Constitution and laws upon
which he could not trample, excepting at
his peril! There would be in his way the
Congress of the United States, which will re-
main in session and hold him in check till
the close of his term. CLEVELAND can't
fulfil Spanish expectations, do his worst.
He can serve Spain no further; he can
wrong Cuba NJ more than he has already
wronged her; he can discredit his own
country but a few days longer. He has
reached the end Of his father. The Spanish