The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-11

Spanish politics in their present disordered
state and a revolution impending, he did
not know whether the men at the head of
the government were strong enough and
brave enough to save Spain by a heroic
sacrifice of her pride. Unless they did, he
said the disaster of Manila would be re-
peated. for it was now patent to the world
that SPANS military and naval strength
was grotesquey inadequate to cope with
the forces of the United States. and Spanish
pride would ultimately be humbled into
peace on far more severe terms than she
might be able 10 obtain now.
While expressing this view with much
pOsitiveness. it was put forward only as
tentative, and not as a move which the
European powers had actually begun. At
the same time it indicates a new trend of
feeling among leading foreign representa-
tives in Washington. Their discussion has
been entirely unofficial and without advices
from their own governments, but it is said
that Spain's plight is such at the present
moment that movement on the other side
may begin at any time towards inducing
Spain to make terms for closing the war.
In such a move, ii is pointed out, those pow
ers which have been friendly TO Spain, par
ticularly Austria and France, might well
join in urging her to sue for peace before 1T
is too late. 1t is said that the nations most
friendly to Spain might suffer almost as
much as Spain herself by d prolonging of
the war and the ultimate humiliation of
Spain. At the same time, those powers most
friendly to the United States, particularly
Great Britain and Russia, would, it is be-
lieved, join in any movement promising to
restore the peace of the world.
It was stated with positiveness at sew
eral of the embassies and legations to-day
that intervention. in the sense of staying
the course of the United States, was no
longer being discussed, and that only such
Intervention as would induce Spain to sue
for peace was possible under the existing
condition of affairs.
The military authorities connected with
the foreign establishments here say that
Admiral Montejo and his entire staff of
officers ought to he, and undoubtedly will
be, court-martialed for allowing themselves
10 be surprised by Admiral Dewey's fleet.
One of these officials said: There is not a
naval power in Europe which would not
Immediately order court-martial after
such a humliating surprise, followed by
such terrible results of negligence. The
court-martial should have been ordered in
stantly. and if Spain has not already or
dered it, it discloses the inability to appreci-
ate the seriousness of such naval blunder.
To be taken by surprise is objectionable.
All of the reports show that the Spanish
officers had no proper lookouts, had no
search lights, no safeguard against sur
prises They invited their own defeat, and
a speedy court-martial should determine
the penalty of their negligence. 1t should
be dismissal in disgrace, if not something
worse.
The British ambassador and the Chinese
minister have called the attention of the
State Department to the fact that they are
unable to communicate by mail with their
officials in Cuba and Porto Rico. This is
due to the interruption of the regular mail
routes between this country and Spanish
possessions. 1t is embarrassing to the Brit
ish authorities, as they have need of COM
municating by mail with the British consul
at Havana. The State Department is anx-
ious to afford every possible facility for
official communication, mail and telegraph
ic but it is not clear how it can better the
present disturbed mail conditions between
here and the Spanish West Indies.
The German naval attache, after securing
credentials from the Navy Department. has
gone to Fort Monroe, where he will make
observations of Commodore Schleys flying
squadron. While the department has given
all naval attaches every proper courtesy,
1t has felt constrained not to grant them
permanent facilities on board the American
ships as it is said that in time of war no
government permits foreign observers
aboard ships.