Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-16
THREAT OF SPAIN AND JAPAN.

A London dispatch of July 18th as-
eerts that from the American embassy
in Paris there has boon ellciIed q con-
flrmstion OF the rumor that the gov
ernments of Spain and Japan have
arranged an offensive alliance against
the United States, the terms OF the
understanding, which 10 for the pro.
lection OF Cuba and Hawaii, provid.
ing that in the event OF an active,
aggressive movement on the part OF
the United States tending toward in
terference In Cuban affairs or persist.
ence in the annexation OF the Ha-
waiian Islands. both Spain and Japan
shall declare war simultaneously
against the United States and shall
make hostile demonstrations along
both the Atlantic ana Pacific cesst
lines OF that couairy. 1t Ii also stated
from Washington that nothing lie
known OF the alleged alliance, and that
the rumor OF its having been perfected
is not credited.
Speaking seriously, however, such
combination between Spain and
Japan IL not at all improbable and
certainly would bo an arrangement OF
very grave influence upon the policy
OF this country. Spain ia sufficiently
angry and desperate to enter into such
an alliance with eagerness. japan,
too, evinces decided inclination In
that direction, and thereby maniies!s u
clear determination to annex the
Hawaiian Islands II this government
does not prevent 1t. The cold PROPOSE
tion, then, now is, either the United
States must take and hold the Hawail-
an islaDds, or Japan will do 3D.. And
II the latter is permltted,s an alliance be.
tween Spain and Japan would become
an infinitely greater menace toward
this nation than 1t would BIO with
Hawaii In the possession OF this
Country.
There 10 no denying the fact that
the union OF these two second claif
powers under such conditions az arc
named would make ssrlous problem
for this country. Their naval power
would harsss and destroy. and 9
long time would elapse before THU
government could get ready t.
cope with them on the ocean. 1
there were no war. the constant
menace would be CALLING Il
American intertsle.i and would b,
an irritation which Americans coult
not long tolerate. Therefore the situs
tion OF an offensive alliance between
Spain and Japan, with tho latter IL
possession OF Hawaii and the former IL
control of Cuba, cannot be permitted
with safety to the United Ststes.
What to do, Is now question fol
American diplomacy and statesman'
ship. Whether or not the alliance hal
been made, the danger that is imml
nent Is pointed cut. There are two
ways to meet It. One Is the con-
plete back down OF the administration
ON the Hawaiian matter and thu
cringing to any policy the Span isl
may inaugurate towards American
in Cuba. VIII the United States con
sent to thal7 The other, and only al
Tentative is to make Dash for Hawaii
and occupy It 30 ths:, whatever JaI al
and Spain might do VI the seas, TIN
former never could secure the Islands
Tho United States has no navy +
compete with the powers named
hut It has the full abilit.
to occupy the Hawaiian Island
SO that Japsn's struggle there
for would be hopeless. As TO Cuba
this government has no desire {;
possess the Island, at least to the extern
OF making any decided movement IL
That direction.
In any event, what Is done must b
done quickly. Whatever dallyinl
may have marked American
diplomacy in the past, when the tim
for action has come, this gOvernmen
has been bold, prompt and decisive
VIII the present administration var,
the recotd7 The suggestion OF tn
spsin.JspaR alliance 10 tho mos
cogent reauon yet presented for tn
immediate annexation OF Hawaii, ant
cannot be easily set aside, since /
pffeels national safety in the most con
servativs and diguihed policy. tn
situation 10 @ decidedly interesting
almost critical. enc for the Unite
States, where pEoaptness, Ilaek an
patriotism are needed to sesu7s resul
satiaf ,ctory to the American people,
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