The San Francisco call., 1898-04-03
THE BoRDERLAND OF STRIFE.

I MESS events shall as by miracle be changed | in the aspect they present to human Judg-
 - ment, this country and Spain will soon be en- gagged in deadly strife. Of the outcome America has nothing to fear That its quarrel is just gives 1t triple strength, and aside from the moral phase of the 5enon its material vastly greater than those of its foe In sentiment it is united That the national honor must be maintained is statement which there is no tendency to haggle, and the national honor Is at stake.
 It will be satisfactory the people of this country to know that the final resolution to strike blow at the arrogance of an ancient and decaying monarchy IS based upon the murder of seamen for this, de- spite any diplomatic expression, is the real expana ton. When the Maine went down 1t carried with it the hope of Spain The mine which wrecked the ship destined to hur the Castilian from power in the western hemisphere, and its reverberations may yet change dynasty. Still, for some reason, there for time effort to dismiss this unexampled hibition of treachery minor incident. The peo- pie refused to have it dismissed, and no sounding phrases blind them to the truth
 If, when the battle-ship was sent to the bottom Spain had offered condolence if she had denounced the perpetrators assassins and hunted them out, the event which is to lead to might have opened way to peace. In sympathy there is at least the be- ginning of friendship. But from the first Spain as sumed the attitude of defiant guilt. calm and inn partial investigation proved that the responsibility rested upon her. and though the actual deed may have been that of an unauthorized enthusiast Spain vol untarily took the position of accessory, and with the brazenness of the hardened criminal has refused to listen to reason has been dead to all the impulses of humanity and fairness. Now the penalty be upon her. and if in fire and blood she reap dread harvest, history will record that it of her sowing.
 While there hope of honorable peace pa per of influence, of standing, urged the Pres- dent Congress to extreme measures But this hope vanished when there was an attempt to have the Maine incident thrust aside trivial Had such a course been permitted American ship but would have been the safe target of any country with fan cied grievance, and the American flag, instead of being protection to those beneath it, would have been an invitation for the heaping of indgnity upon subjects to whom its shadow should be, and shall be- shield
 Even the ostensible ground for be that Cuba chains have long enough bound her oppression the real ground is the destruction of the Maine Only for this the United States could not have interered only for this it would not have been moved by concerted desire to interfere. Cuba has fought long and well and vainly. There is way of telling how much longer she might have struggled. But new and greater power takes the burden from her. She may think that contemplation of her bravery and suffering caused it. It not so In the bleaching bones of the Maine in the graves of our murdered men, she may read the true story of her salvation.