The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-15
vERITABLE FUNERAL HYMN.
The Song Now Being Sung by Those
Who ReviIed Americans

nO htNb1cU AncElCanS.
LONDON, Aug. 15-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Daily Mail says: 1.-The
comments of the press on the protocol are
a veritable funeral hymn on the destruction
of the Spanish colonial empire. Some days
ago the desire for peace made the people
close their eyes to the price. but now upon
reading the protocol they realize that the
cost is the loss of that empire which Spain
had conquered with so much glory and that
Spain now falls to the second rank among
nations. The public mind is stunned and
there is general mourning. General Blanco
telegraphs that Havana is greatly agitated
by the news of the signing of the protocol
and that much anxiety is manifested to
learn the conditions, which have not yet
been published. Some uneasiness is felt
regarding the effect that the text of the
protocol may have on the Spanish volun-
teers in Havana. Many newspapers ex-
press grief and despair that the men who
brought disaster on Spain by lack of fore
sight. organ i4ation and ability should con-
tinue to govern the country
The Times Madrid correspondent tele-
graphing Sunday, says: "The publication
of the protocol has not made much impress
sion because the contents were already
known. The only doubtful point referred
to the time of the convocation of the Cortes.
Although there is a strong Cabinet dssen-
sion on this point some apprehending
crisis, little Importance need be attached
to it, because it is even unlikely that in the
event OF one or two ministers resgning, the
course of peace negotiations will be serious
ly affected because, in the long run, Sagas-
Ia is certain to have his own way. Mean
while he allows his colleagues to discuss the
subject freely and wisely keeps his own
counsel. There is no conceivable doubt that
the Cortes will approve of peace, and the
date of the convocation of the Cortes can
only affect personal party interest.
1T is too soon to speak confidently of the
impression the preliminary conditions of
peace. when examined closely, will make ON
the Spanish people generally, but there is
no doubt the news of the termination of
hostilities will be received by great ma
jority with satisfaction. During the last
few weeks there has been great change
in public opinion. Though it was univer-
sally recognized from the beginning that, in
the long run, America would prove herself
stronger than Spain, it generally ex-
pected that the bravery, dash and tenacity
of the Spanish army and navy would, in
some measure, counterbalance the superior
ity of the United States in population and
ditions of peace would not be very onerous.
This illusion was Gspelled by the destruc-
ton of Cerveras squadron the capitula-
ton of Santiago and other well-known in
cidents of the campaign, and gradually the
conviction spread that, as Spain was evil
IDENTIFY incapable of defending herself, the
sooner she made peace the better. 1t may
pretty safely be assumed therefore, that
the decision of the government will be gem
orally approved. Whether the government
will subsequently be called to account for
negligence in its preparation for war and
for the manner in which the campaign was
conducted is another question:
I'm the peace negotiations no serious COM
plications are apprehended in regard to
Cuba and Porto Rico. If the members of
the local commission for evacuation have
not yet been appointed, it is surely because
the government wishes to appoint officers
and officials of the same rank as those to be
appointed by the United States government
and at last nights Cabinet council, is was
| decided to save time by appointing persons
on the spot.
Already some people are beginning to
console themselves with the idea that the
loss of those two islands, though most pain
full to Spanish national feeling, as consum-
mating the destruction of the great Span
ish empire in the western hemisphere is
really not SO serious as is generally suppos-
ed. El impartial for example says: After all
those who exploited the markets of the An
titles were only some manufacturers and
merchants. In certain regions of the penin-
sula the exercise of sovereignty was util-
lied by politicians to send their proteges as
officials to these islands. The great mass
of the nation derived indirectly very little
advantage and had to bear the sacrifices
| necessary to maintain domination
Ideas of this kind. which are by no
means confined to Ell impartial or to the
press generally, show that. as l have re-
peatedly pointed out, the Spanish national
character contains, with much that is me-
dieval and romantic, a strong element of
sound practical common sense The Philip
pine question will be found much more diff
| fcult of solution, and already on one point
all competent authorities here seem agreed
! namely, that, whatever solution may be
adopted, there must be no joint sovereignty
or joint protectorate or anything of that
kind. An attempt to combine Spanish and
American methods of administration would
inevitably lead to disastrous complications"
German Comment Is Sensible.
BERLIN, Aug. 15.-The leading papers
here welcome peace between the United