The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-02-20
TnE SITUATION no DATE.

The Cuban situation up to this date Is
torial printed in the Washington Star of
yesterday:
Our relations with Spain nonopolize
attention. 7 hey are delicate. and within
a week have become complicated in the
extreme. The de LONE and the Maine
episodes would have completely upset a
hasty or an i'll. balanced people, but the
American people have met them admir-
ably. Following now hard upon their
heels is the arrival Of a Spanish man. of.
war, come, in the language of diplomacy,
to return the visit of the Maine to Ha-
vana. There is distinct bravado in this
move. which even diplomacy cannot hide,
but the American people will meet that
admirably, too.
Spain discaims the sentiments uttered
by Senior lie LONE, her representative
at the lime of his letter to Senior Canale-
jus, in terms that are adequate. 1t
was to be expected that she would do so.
Less than that would have left her with
out standing among the nations. Sc
gross AN offense could not have been JUS
titled in any way or been allowed to pass
i'll silence by her. The personal aspect
Of the de Lone matter closes thus salts.
factorily.
But with respect to Spain's declara-
tons about autonomy and reciprocity for
Cuba, they do not and cannot in the
slightest change the situation. Had she
been insiEcere, as Senior de Lone con
fessej that he was, she could rot have
admitted it rs he did. Bnt let her Ian
gGage and meaning he accep pied without
reservatior, there still remain stubborn
aud vital facts. An oncmy is failure,
and reciprocity in the circumstances
would be but farce. The one stands
rejected, and for he other there is no
foundation upon which to build. Spain
cannot by proclamation restore peace in
Cuba or by negotiations with the United
States revive business and prosperity in
the island. OF what real moment is 1t,
therefore, except to relieve herself of the
lmputation of trichery, brought upon
her by her own representative. that
Spain asserts innocence of bad faith?
Why should the United States longer
consider the questions of home rule for
Cuba and com mercial advantal es for her,
self in trading with the island when the
indisputable facts show so plain % state
of things? In the circumstances SPANS
sincerity is practically nothing, but
SPANS helplessness everything
Our duty with regard to the visiting
Spanish warship will Of course be scru-
pulously discharged There is not an
American port where she would not be
entirely safe. She is.a guest, although
unlimited. Her coming lacks, in our
eyes, both csndor and excuse. But peace
prevails in the United States, and, more
open fashion. No greater misfortune
could befall this government than for
any harm to come to this ship while she
is in American waters. Her security is
even MOI e,sacred. while she lis here than
is that of our own ships at home.
Everything in good saeson AMI in the
proper order. The duty of the United
States to intervene in behalf of peace for
Cuba Is greater at this moment than
ever, and everything seems moving to.
ward it's early discharge. The country
should stand by the President, who
should, and, there is every reason to be-
lieve viii cOns ider the sentiment of Tho
country.
Go to the Radford Steam Laundry for