The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-05-01

the United States has nothing OF The kind
on the European side of the Atlantic, and
would. of course. have 40 begin gy cap
turing the Canaries for the purpose, us
ing them for recoaling. reprovisiOning
and reftting the fleet before actually at
tempting to effect landing of American
troops on Spanish shores
Without expatiaring on the enormous
difficulties which an American army
would have to face IN Spain itself where
every peasant Il more or less accustomed
to guerrilla warfare it may safely be
taken for granted that a step Of this kind
on an. part 81 the United States would
lead 70 a serious imbroglio between the
latter and some OF the continental powers
oI Europe II is well known that both
France and Austria would have brought
about AN armed intervention in behalf
Of Spain in American waters had they
been able 10 get Germany, Italy. Russia
or England 10 join them But the pro-
poSal was not only CURLY rejected by
England but likewise frowned upon by
Russia while Germany and Italy, after
hesitating for a time, cod-shouldered
The proposition.
Should. however the war extend 70
Europe and American troops invade
Spain itself ii Is extremely probable
that France. either with or without the
cooperation Of the other continental
powers would support her neighbor in
repelling American invasion Of Europe
Only England. and possibly Russia, would
b. likely to express their disapproVal of
| France taking part IN the fray. Cont
| mental Europe, in fact. is as strongly
opposed To the United States becoming
| factors not merely in American politics,
| lint anywhere in the Western Henri
| sphere. and II j. possible that even other
| countries besides France-perhaps Aus
| iria and Germany-m be disposed 10
| assist Spain in her effort TO prevent In
| Gle sam from obtaining foothold in the
| old world.
| American naval officers regard the pur
| chase Of 50 large number Of merchant
| tessels and ocean liners by the Govern
| ment rs an Indication that they are des-
/ tined for the conveyance Of American
/ troops to Spain. If the United States au-
| thorities have any such intention they
| will have TO acquire far greater num-
Der OF vessels than they have got now.
| When. in 1852. England sent small army
| of 20,GG3 men 10 Egypt she was compelled
TO employ so MANI merchant steamers
| and liners for The purpose as 10 tempo
| rarily throw out Of gear all the ordinary
| steamship services. In fact, II viii tax TO
the utmost the shipping resources now at
the disposal of the government to con-
vey an army Of 20,091 or 10000 men to
Cuba, which is only few hours distant
from th- American coast.
IA would be ridiculous TO attempt any
| invasion Of Spain without at least a
! force OF 100 900 men, and these, with their
! supplies their artillery, their horses and
| mules and All the impedments of great
| army would necessitate the use of sew
eral hundred large transports and liners
| for their conveyance across the Atlaulc,
always bearing in mind that the landing
81. 49,. g.a.f u q
force. and not in dTiblets. IL 1t is TO prove
| successful
That the Spaniards are firmly convinc-
"a Of the likelihood Of an American In
version Of their possessions In Europe Is
evident from the treasure and troops they
] are dr,oting 10 the defense Of the coast
and Of the Balearic and Canary Islands
THAT a similar belief EXISTS in naval and
military circles at Washington In shown
should these anticipatons be realized for
! the sake of bringing the present war 10
a close there is no knowing to what an
American invasion Of Europe of this kind
may lead n opens up 10 the gaze such a
vast vista of trouble and difficulty. of eN-
oenditure. Of blood and treasure as T.
almost blur the sight
France processes to have a reason fo
siding with Spain i'm her fight with tn
Emitted States for the retention OF Cuba
She points 20 the fact that the fee
which Spain has mObiliZed at the Cap
, Verde Islands was not ordered to moy'
upon its hostile mission until the Spanish
! government was practically forced 10 is
sue orders te this effect Much is mad
IN Paris official circles OF what is calle'
Spanish observance OF the rule Of diplo
| macy in war times.
The action Of the Spanish government
n holding its fleets at Cape Verde ant
| Cadiz until war was formally declared i
regarded as a ruse upon her part TO vii
, additional sympathy from the powers o
Europe II is plain that the policy o
Spain has been 10 make il appear tina
T the United States has been the aggresso
. and that the Sagasta government ha
been forced to act by the action OF th
Washington Government. This stand j
I Endorsed by the Paris press and the OF
fetal circle despite the fact that tn
( ! handing Of passports 10 Woodford befor
giving him an opportunity 10 present tn