Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01
Notwithstanding l, 1898.
THE SITUATION MORE CRITICAL.

on the face OF the equation, so tc
speak. of the news respecting our com
phca.ions with Spain. the outlook for
peace was not last night as assuring as
II had been for twenty-four hours pre-
viously Spain it would appear was
proving less plant under our pressure
for settlement upon our conditions than
NC had expected and had been given
reason 10 believe she would be. Ac-
cording 10 advices from Madrid. ii would
seem that she is manoeuvring for time
by formulating counter propositions.
Still nothing really definite is known
as TO the actual situation. the advices
from Washington being in the main as
unsatisfactory as are those from Madrid,
and II we continue to keep our heads
and realize the momentous responsibility
that is upon us, ii may yet be a far cry
10 war.
This responsibility calls no less for do
ing our duty to Spain than for being true
10 ourselves The one involves the other
1t calls for a calm and dispassonate
consideration of any counter proposals
the Madrid Government may make. with
q view of determining whether their ac-
ceptance would enable us to secure an
adjustment of the Cuban question on
basis of peace without loss of our dig
nifty. honor, or prestige, or violation
OF our obligations TO humanity. A fail
IRE to recognize these clements Of re-
sponsibility in the premises might be to
commit a more grievous wrong against
the public conscience Of this country and
posterity than against Spain.
This government cannot, at this stage
of the issue. afford to make any com
promise with weakness as to the crucial
issues. On the essential questions at
stake II must remain firm. But none
the less it cannot afford companionship
with injustice. and bravado. and bullying,
with their chances of bringing on war
for the sake of non-essentials. We
cannot afford to pursue a policy Of use
less temporizing, but If we can put an
end to the terrible struggle in Cuba. en-
sure the reconcentrados from starvation,
and guarantee to the harried island the
blessings of good government. without
humiliating Spain, and without cost of
blood to ourselves, blot upon our honor,
and the piling up of a heavy burden of
taxation upon the masses, ii is our duty,
in the sight of God and of man, to do so.
There can be no two sides 20 that aues-
ton.
Therefore, while In summing up-soNfar
as 1t is competent to sum up from the
news before us-we must admit that the
situation is critical-must, indeed. admit
that we fear the worst-we still hope for
the best. We hope that Spain's counter
proposals may. when fully developed and
carefully weighed, be found to be such
as that even If we cannot accept them.
they Will open the way to the two gov
ernments. getting together in the imme-
date future. In the mean time, and
until II shall be demonstrated that this
Is impossible, let our firmness be tenn
pered with conservatism, so that should
war be the finallty, we may tc able to
vindicate our part in bringing it about,
in the eyes of the world. The President
is reported as saying that he prays for
peace-peace with honor. of course-and
all true citizens should say amen to that
prayer.