Evening star., 1898-10-04
sDain Dreaming Again.

spain Dreaming Agaih'
The Paris correspondent of the Londor
Daily News sends the following to his
paper:
THE Spanish commissioners are coldi!
courteous and seemingly unfilnchlns IN
their uo-surrender attitude respecting the
Philippines They apparently fully appre-
ciate the difficulties of the republican
party in America regarding the army mis-
management and the resultant natural de-
sire 10 get the work of the commission con-
cluded most speedily. These circumstances
encourage the Spaniards to remain OBJ
durate."
Does this explain the delay also at Ha-
vana? Are the Spaniards again laborins
under a delUsion respecting the situation
and sentiment in the United States? DC
they fancy that the question is a political
one here? That on one side stand the re-
publicans supporting territorial expansion
and on the other side the democrats op-
posing it? Is it their information that in
the event Of democratic success next
month the policy now outlined by the Pres
ident will be changed and that Spain may
hope 70 receive her lost territory back?
This is by no means unlikely. We have
seen how easily and radically Spain mis-
reads matters American. Some of her most
eminent men were of opinion prior to the
breaking out of hostiIities between the two
countries that the people of the United
States were holding very lightly together.
They actually believed that the appear
arCe of a Spanish fleet on our southern
coast would revive the memories of the
civil war in that section and disrupt the
Union. They speedily discovered their
mistake. At the first signal of war the
south rose like the north and both sec
tions marched together in discharge of the
national duty. 1t is now one of the glories
of the triumph over Spain that in the field
southern generals commanded northern
troops and northern generals southern
troops, and that all the commanders sing
praises Of their men.
We need not shut our eyes to the fact
that there appear to be individuals in this
country capable of playing into Spain's
hand in this matter. They are seeking to
carry the November elections on issues
designed To obscure the luster of the Amer
lean achievement. They would if they
could bIaCken the name of the country and
post US before the world as bungling anna
teurs both in war and in craftsmanship
But they are not numerous. and some OF
them are not even Americans. They do not
speak for either political organization
The truth is that the great majority of
the American people approved of the war
with Spain. and rejoice now in the advan-
tages the country has gained as the result
OF the struggle. The new vista that has
been opened up is pleasing TO them, and
they want it improved to the full extent
OF the country's needs and abilities. If
there appears an incomplete case a bit of
indecision, in respect of the Philippines,
it IS because of the unusual Importance of
that branch of the subject and the recog-
nized necessity of guiding by all the infor-
nation obtainable.
But, in any event, the hands on the dial
Will not be turned back. The United States
is the victor, and has a progressive and
comprehensive policy promulgated. Demo-
Gratis and republicans are in agreement as
to its principal features. and it will be car
ried out IN spite of Spanish pride, Spanish
delays and such disreputabIe maneuvering
as may take place on this side. No politi-
cal party in the United States stands for
Spanish triumph at Paris