The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-28


was clearly and firmly stated that the
United States government could no longer
withheld from Congress the correspondence
and consular reports which not only put in
full light the condition of the distressed
rural population of Cuba, the inadequate re-
lief and the persistence of disaffection, but
also showed that the new colonial policy
and other efforts of Spain had not produced
the results that would justify holding out
the prospect of early pacification. Conse-
quently. the American note lays stress upon
the fact that contingencies are now fast APP
preaching for the action which was fore
shadowed in presidential messages and dip
lomatic correspondence frequently and
clearly during the last three years
THE American note and the language of
General Woodford in his conferences with
Senior Gullon leave no doubt that it is the
intention of the Washington government to
act very soon, beginning with the commune
cation of the above document and the
Maine report to Congress and sending relief
officially to the distressed Cubans.'
The Times in an editorial quoting the
statement of it's New York correspondent
George w. Smalley, that despite the war
talk. the best opinion still holds to Presi-
dent Mckinley and peace, and the greatest
danger is from a possible irresistible out
burst of unreasoning, if generous, senti-
ment," says: This does not tend to lessen
the chances of war; for, although such
waves of sentiment not infrequently sub
side as rapidly as they arise, they may last
long enough to lead, for good or evil, to
irrevocable decisions"
The Times, proceeding to comment gen.
orally on the situation, expresses the opin-
ic ifah nj ed
States "interferes' in Cuba, while the re-
suit is certain beforehand. 1t expresses
qualification that General Woodford has
taken the unusual and significant step of
publishing an emphatic contradiction of the
malicious rumors circulated by the Span
ish yellow press which reported him as
adopting a provocative attitude. The Times,
after declaring that this statement should
greatly assist the peace party in America
concludes it's editorial as follows: while
hoping that we may yet be spared the sad
spectacle of a contest between two friendly
nations. both bound to by the ties of
old friendship, If the worst comes we
should not, of course, forget, while main
tanning the duties of neutrality towards
BOTH that one of them is knitted to us yet
more closely by ties of blood"
The Standard, editorially reviewing the
whole situation, says: Unfortunately
there is such a profound distrust in the
United States of the competence, if not of
the good faith, of the Spanish government,
that nothing but emancipation of Cuba is
likely to satisfy American public opinion.
The name of suZerainty might, perhaps, be
retained but nothing short of practical
independence would be held satisfactory
and this is the view which commends itself
to English as well as American judgment"
Count De Rascon, the Spanish ambassa-
dor to Great Britain, paid visit to the
Foreign Office at late hour yesterday and
remained three-quarters of an hour. No
credence is given in well-informed circles
to the Sunday Specials Berlin correspon-
dents alleged interview with the United
States ambassador, Mr.. White, at Berlin,
in the course of which Mr.. White is made
to say that Emperor William had expressed
a belief that the Maine was not destroyed
from the outside and that the German adj
miral, Knorr, with members of the naval
committee, had studied at the Emperors
direction a series of exhaustive reports
cabled from Havana and reached the con-
cluson that the explosion was due to the
ioverheating of the Names coal bunkers
a view Ambassador White was said to
share
The Daily News, in an editorial iustffying
the attitude Of the United States, says
America has no spite against Spain to
crafty and no selfish interest to serve 1t
is all very well to call Senator Thurston a
fanatic because he invokes the principles
of the Christian religion against the cruel
ties of a Christian power but he speaks of
what he sees, and his testimony is not con-
tradicted Spain is entitled to govern the
Cubans, but not to extirpate them. A weak
despotism is the most cruel government in
the world. President McKinley's calm and
sober language does honor to himself as a
Christian and a statesman and Spain will
commit a grievOus mistake if she interprets
this as a confession of weakness. Senior
Sagasta has a great opportunity. In Pres
ident Mckinley he has a high-minded and
generous opponent who will make things
as easy for Spain as he can. 1t is curious
how completely, at this critical time, Mr..
Sherman has fellen into the background
and Mr.. Mckinley come to the front"
The Vienna correspondent of the Times
says: 1T is now thought here that arbi-
tration is quite out of the question except
upon the Maine matter; certainly as impos-
sible with reference to the fate of Cuba,
even if both countries consented to arbi-
tration. In the latter event the difficulty
would arise as to what questions would
be submitted; whether Cuba should remain
Spanish or be declared Independent or an
nexed to the United States. The problem
would be almost beyond the competency of
d third party to solve. In fact, the whole
idea is quite in embryo
The correspondent proceeds to denounce
the attitude of European papers which have
recently admonished the United States as
though there were no wrongs on the Spanish
side; and then quotes violent article from
the Russian Novosti, which upbraids
America for ''barbarous attempt to grab
Cuba" and asserts that "All the European
states sympathize with Spain, who, how
ever. is doomed to carry on the struggle
alone, as none of the powers has any i'm
mediate interest in the matter"
SPANISH ELECTIONS,