The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-15
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TIE DE LONE EXPLOSION

Tna situation as to Cuba becomes
azore embarrassing as the days go by.
Tnerp is an eIement-perhaps a large
sxae-in the United States that is warm
eor extreme measures in dealing with
Exzain in it's war OF upon
GHba There are representatives In
s1se press, land numerous) in he con-
grcss in both houses, and in all h
Qynyks of private life. But then there
n a calm, conservative element that
= opposed to involving this country
In a war, the results of which no man
may ~foresee, for it may involve other
zxowers, and hat is insistent that the
FEDERAL government shall move with all
yrOper caution. The speeches. IN the
senate of Wednesday last by Messrs.
Cannon and Mason reveal western
r,cEnjon and demands. Unfortunately
for the peace with honor conservatives
the lingo" furore has fuel added to
tts fire Fly the very disagreeable and
Tufamrnatory revelation Of the Spanish
minister at Washington, de LONE, in
the private letter that a found It's
way to our government and to the
Dress of the world. His opinion of
President Mckinley as expressed in
che letter addressed to a Spanish
friend, Canalejas, is not only depre-
cfatory and scandalous, but is of a
very serious character. The resigna-
Eion of de LONE may not suppress the
rising Indignation. What Will be the
as4tual outcome depends very much on
fine course pursued by Spain. If it re-
fuses to make any apology for the act
Of it's accredited representative at
washington hen the men for war IN
the congress may press matters TO a
warIike conclusion. The announcement
from Washington, if true, as to the
pacific intention OF the offended and
snaligned president, may possibly pre-
vent an explosion. The statement sent
Drt is tina president Mckinley is re-
solved that Spain shall " no vestige
of an excuse to pick a quarrel with the
United States and Spain can dlsoWn
eSenor d. Lome's u~tterance without the
slightest loss of dignity"
The Spaniards are the %vainest, most
superior flOIldIS lIhS tiO ooi' 80
xheir own estimation. They think
Spain a little better than all other
countries, and they may not see that
1T is a rather bold proceeding to anger
Uncle Sam to the point of warfare.
Afr. Archer M. Huntington, an English
.xraan. we think, in his recent work en-
xftled ga Note Book on Northern
Spain gives this as to how Spain re-
yards this country:
-..She cares less for what you may
s4ink of her than does any nation in
Europe, and you can force her to ac-
eept fewer of your ideas than any
rfther Tt has been a tradition with her
that people beyond the Pyrennees are
not Friendly people, and she is not
prone to look within and discover the
cause of their dislikes. She moves
slowly, very slowly, and always con-
sfders herself just a little better than
you, and will always politely tell you
so when need be-
THAT there is a great need of calm
mess and a wise discretion at this junct-
sure if war is to be avoided. This level
headed in the congress think 1T a very
serious thing, this letter of the Span
ssh minister at Washington. The My
news from Spain up to this writing IS
not hopeful. The Spaniards seem dis
sosed to disregard it as more OF a
trick than a grave reality with gravest
responsibility attached. From London
one opinion comes that indicates a be-
lief that wal will follow. AS we have
said it depends very much as to how
Spain acts in the matter. Ihere is
enough of the spark in the defamation
OF the president to cause an explosion
chat may free Cuba from the Spanish
yoke forever.
The xampl of the United States
governments prompt and decided &C
zion in the Lord SackvIlle matter, when
be was dismissed by our government
because of the British premier's delay
in meeting the emergency with prompt
APOLOGY or recall of the accredited
representative of Great Britain, is an
illustration for Spain's guidance. We
must hope that the peace will not be
EaDken. This country, so great in re-
sources, is not ready for war even
with a second rate power as Spain.
AT any rate the head of the army has
zsven a woeful account of the defence
Eess condition at present. He thinks
fhe coast cities woul fare badly from
she start. Here is another good rea-
son for- better defences which the Mes
senger has often urged. While it is
Dor strict economy in public expendi-
sures. and believes that the present ex-
s~rayagance should be stopped, and
that the expenditures should be IN
,s~-ssntinently raced $3.50, 900, 600 at least
: * does not believe in or advocate an
znwdse, niggard policy as to building
a. strong navy and putting the cities
and towns ON the very extended coasts