The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
BRITISH PUBLIC OPINION.
Little Hope of Avertfng HostiIities-A
DipIOmate's Views


lngs Of the United States court of inquiry
into the loss Of the Maine and actual con-
hrmation was. expected, the verdict only
served to whet peoples appetites. 1t has
in no way alleviated the suspense or the
anxiety in regard to the immediate effect
produced by the report nor the eagerness
to know the position which President Nc
Kinley and his Cabinet propose to take up
in this difficult and delicate situation So
intense is the interest in the latest turn of
the kaleidoscope that it has immeasurably
increased the nervous tension which has
been agitating Europe for the last three
months. There is little hope here that hos
tilities can be averted and 1t is believed the
revelation now officially made will so COM
bine the other factors of the situation as to
make war inevitable, though it is still re-
garded as possible that Spain, at the last
moment, will see the hopelessness of main
tanning her position and yield to the inevita-
BILE without as British Admiralty official
said, having the lesson numerically ham
mered into her, although the hammering
may possibly not be accomplished until aft
er her spirits have been raised by a tenn
porary success.
1t is at last realized here that the move
ment to end the Cuban scandal is no longer
solid sentiment of the United States bids
the executive act when the proper moment
arises; that the risks have been estimated,
and that the great body of Americans are
ready to face them.
So far as it is possible to ascertain the
general diplomatic opinion, it can be
summed up in the words of Foreign Office
official, who remarked THE preservation
of peace depends on the temper Spain dis
plays when the inevitable notification is de-
livered. The President proposes to relieve
the sufferers by distributing food, clothes
and medicines from American war ships
and transports, precisely as Great Britain
is now unofficially and on a smaller scale
doing in Crete, and unless Spain pockets her
overweening conceit, which has hitherto
made the recognition of her failure impos-
sible to her, a rupture must come from that
quarter, and Spain win put herself hope
lessly in the wrong. Spains pretensions OF
preparedness for war and her finance minis
ters assurance that she has sufficient funds
therefor are equally untenable, unless the
latter contemplates the immediate suspen-
sion of specie payments and the payment
of the interest on the debt in paper. The
truth is that Spain is no more in posi-
ton to fight the United States than was
hope of the European chancellories is that
the President will succeed in delaying the
explosion Under the guise of autonomy ar
rangements may possibly be made to facil-
itate Spain's giving up Cuba. 1t must be
remembered that for two years, although
Spain has at times assumed vigorous at
titude, she has invariably failed to main
tain it when the crux was reached. The
suggestion of the continental press of in
tervention on the part of the European
powers is mischievous, and nothing is more
certain to provoke hostilities."
1t has been suggested that the presence
in London of the Infanta Eulalie is con-
nected in some way with diplomacy; but
the list of guests at the official dinner given
in her honor at the Spanish ambassadors
residence hardly lends color to the assump-
ton.
The nervousness of the Stock Exchange
is evidenced by the crumbling in prices,
and it is further indicated by the
fact of the insurance against the war risks
done at Lloyds at 25 per cent premium.
The Statist says: while the outbreak
of hostilities would seriously affect
New York, Madrid would be much
worse off. 1t would mean the imme-
diate suspension of specie payments and
either the suspension of interest on the debt
or paper payment The financial crisis
would react on Paris, with the probable ef-
feet of throwing the whole of New York's
demand for gold on London and\so indi-
rectly affecting the prices of all securities.
Continuing, the Statist remarks: THE
government is indebted to the Bank of
Spain between eleven and twelve hundred
million pesetas, about 40 per cent. more
than in 1897, and the position of the bank
is such that the suspension of specie pay
ments is bound to follow any large tender
of notes. Its bullion is only 40 per cent.
of its note circulation"
According to Madrid advices the papers
there are whistling loudly, trying to arouse
a sense Of wrong, with the doctrine that
war de facto was declared when the United
States permitted support to be furnished
TO the insurgents" Early during the week
strict censorship denuded the newspapers
of news and created widespread alarm.
This was enhanced by the suppress
sion of all news of the move
ments Of the Spanish torpedo fio-
tilla and the announcement that cruiser
would accompany the destroyers, which
was taken to mean that the Spaniards
feared attempts would be made by the
United States to stop the dotilla on its way
to Port Rico.
Great interest is taken in the elections
tomorrow for members of the Span
ish Chamber of Deputies. 1t is reported
that Gen. weyler mas telegraphed to his
friends in Cuba to withdraw their candi-
datures for seats in the Cuban chamber.
The Paris correspondent Of the Sunday
Special says: Private advices received from
Madrid say that Senor Polo Bernabe, the
Spanish minister at Washington, has been
instructed to yield gradually.
A dispatch to the Observer from Berlin
says the imminent danger Of war between
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