The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-01
THE. lNTELLlGENCER.
wnEELINc, MARCH i, 1898.


The Real Danger.
Il. The statement OF a leading Spanish
statesman, supposed to be Martinez
Campos. although he is not given posi-.
lively as the authority. that war is cx-
pected to break out between the United
States by April, and that he always be-
lteyed that tf the rebellion In Cuba was
not crushed before the beginning OF this
year such a result would follow this
spring, is deeply significant. There IS
no disgusting the fact that this has been
also the opinion Of many close observers
of late, ever since President McKinley's
Z annual message IN December, in fact,
and would still have been the firm con-
ylcdon, even IL the Maine affair had not
happened. In Spanish quarters this ap-
prehension has existed as It has in this
country.
9 twill be recalled that President Nc
Kinley's policy, as announced in his
message, was that the Spanish govern
ment would be given reasonable time
in which to test the new policy Of more
humane conduct of the war inaugur.
ated after the removal OF weyler, and to
demonstrate the feasibility OF the
scheme of autonomy. In the event OF the
failure of the Spanish government to
successfully carry on. its plans, the
J. President broadly lntimatcd that the
United States would take such action as
would be proper under The circum-
stances.
There was plainly notice that in
reference in behalf OF peace would be
the course to be pursued in the event OF
such failure, and the country accepted
2 It as the proper one. In view OF the as
siirances that had been given by the,
Z Spanish government. 1t was regarded
that by April the Spanish policy OF au-
tonony would receive fair trial. and
THOSE who expected failure predicted
that the month of April would witness
the recognition of Cuban belligerency by
our government, or, perhaps. even
I stronger action, looking to actual inter-
vention.
twas not long until the failure OF the.
new scheme OF autonomy, which was
formally inaugurated on the first Of
January, seemed a foresone conclusion,
4 and peace in Cuba seemed as far off as
st was IN the beginning. The expression
referred to as that OF Spaniard of note,
Z supposed to be Marshal Campos, who
was captain general OF Cuba just pre-
vious to the appointment of Weyler,
and the Inauguration Of his brutal policy
OF murder and starvation, indicates that
ne fully expected this failure. His ex-
perience with the insurgents and famil-
iartty with the situation. made him
competent Judge of what was to be eI-
pected.
1t Is not a violent assumption to say
that even without the events which,
within the past few days have go power
fully strained the relations between the
two countries, and which may prccipi-
tate hostili.les at any time, certainly
e almost Immediately should the decision
OF the board of inquiry hold Spain re-
sponsible for the Maine disaster, the
chances for war with that country
would have been exceedingly bright. It
IS easy to see how, if even the decision
of the. board Is OF n character that will
insure a peaceful settlement, so far as
; the Maine incident Is concerned, with the
coming nf April there Will stIll arise
condition Of affairs that would open hos
tilities.
The Spanish government already real
ICES that Cuba is lost There Is little
doubt that Spain does not expect to
bring the war to successful finish.
That hope seems to have been Danish
ed some time ago. Failure in every eff
fort to end the rebellion Is written all
4 over the record. Spain does not want
10 go 10 war with the United States.
With a bankrupt treasury. a ruined
5 credit, and a navy that Is sadly out of
repair, with all natural advantages
against Spain in the event OF an out
break, the government at Mad
( rid does not want war to
render the country in a ssill more de-
plorable condition in these respects.
Nevertheless, as matters stand now,
! It is hardly possible that the government
can getrld of the Cuban question with
out a brush with the United States.
To quietly give up Cuba and abandon
the effort to quel the insurrcction.
would be humilIating confession OF
failure and weakness. To make any
concession to the United States in the
Z matter would be equally humlliating.
! Consequently. the intention announced
BY President Mckinley, after season
of reasonable waiting. and the exhaus-
tIon OF the plan OF autonomy, must be
met. To meet it will be certain defeat
for Spain. but the struggle will be brief.
= Whether, It involves war, or mere d.
! plomatic contest. Spain will be worsted.,
1T would notsbe SO humiiadnG for the
I Spanish government, however. as IN ah-
4 ject surrender, and would lessen the