Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-20
MARCH 20, 1898.
THE PUBLIC At YEA.

While it seems TO be generally con-
ceeded that the situation as regards our
relations with Spain continues 10 grow
more pacific, we are really in no better
position 10 assume with any degree OF
safety what will be the final outcome o!
the complication than we have been for
months past. in other words, although
we hope for the best, we know no more
as tending 10 settle the question whether
1t will be peace or war than we did some
months ago.
In a study OF the problem, the public
are confronted with numerous conflicting
statements, which It is fair to suppose
are more or less inspired from Washing
ton. and nave 10 weigh many contradic-
tory facts and theories. The New York
Herald, which is generally very accurate
In its news. has, as we know, insisted
for weeks that the Maine disaster was
caused by IN external explosion, and one
Of its Washington specials printed yester-
day, states, upon reliable information"
that the President will take up the Maine
matter and deal with it automatically,
before making Representations to Spain
concerning the independence Of Cuba"
This would seem TO warrant two
important deductions-viz, that the
Herald is correct in its oft-re-
peated contention that the admin
istration has reason TO know that
the Maine was destroyed by an external
agency, and that President Mckinley is
preparing to change his Cuban policy.
In the absence of proof Of external ex-
p%losion. there could be no door for diplo-
macy to enter. The case would be closed
so far as any grievance against Spain
was concerned. The warrant for the de-
duction touching a change Of policy is
found in the words, independence of
Cuba"
on the other hand, the Washington cor
respondent of the New York Tribune.
which paper is admittedly very close to
the President. utterly discredits the re-
port that the administration has any
intimation Of what will be the conclusions
of the Maine court of inquiry. Further
more, on Friday night this correspondent
telegraphed TO his paper that at the ad-
journment Of the meeting of the Cabinet
on that day, II was announced that
nothing had developed TO alter in any
way the policy Of the administration,
And yet, in the same issue of the Tribune.
there is very significant editorial com
ment upon Senator Proctor's exposition
of the situation in Cuba. After touching
UP with vivid coloring Of its own the de-
scription of Cuban horrors presented by
Senator Proctor, and remarking that the
speech may not form the basis of imme-
date official action, and, indeed, was not
intended to do so. the Tribune expresses
the belief that it che speech) viii be
generally accepted by the civilized world
as an authentic and authoritative state
ment Of the case, almost unique in fts
transparent honesty and in its convincing
force. In making 1t, continues the
Tribune. Senator Proctor has performed
a service OF the highest character to his
country and TO the cause Of humanity,
and has contributed a powerful and per-
manent factor 10 the veXed problem, to
affect the opinions of the American peo-
pie and TO help materially TO determine
that ultimate government action which
will be the concrete expression Of the
peoples viii. Certainly, to say the least.
these comments, considering the source,
would seem 20 support the view that Mr..
Proctor's utterances were intended 10
prepare the public mind FOR N justify
a new departure on the part Of the Presi-
dent I'm reepect OF Cuba.
SO it goes. Reputable papers not only
contradict one another in their news N
suggestions, but contradict themselves.
And so we say that what with this
state OF affairs, our continued naval and
military preparations, the money inte-
rests pulling against war. ana the temp
tations that war holds out for the Repub-
lican party. the public are stm at sea
as 20 the probable ultimate conclusion
Of the matter.