The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-09
An AMERICAN FAILURE
According to the Reports Published
siss in Spanish Newspapers. =
SPAIN WILL NOT SUE FOR PEACE.

The Spnniards Believe That the Mo-
Jority of Americans Have Already
Tired of War, and They Expect Peace
Proposals to Como From Washington
London, June 9-The Madrid corre-
spondent of The Times telegraphs: The
news from Santiago produced little or
no excitement. At first there was a
feeling CT sadness because only Spanish
losses were announced. Gradually the
feeling changed on learning the Ameri-
cans also suffered, although their losses
have not yet been reported in detail.
In any case there was justification for
patriotic satisfaction in the fact that
the attack had been successfully re-
pulsed with fewer casualties than have
sometimes occurred in significant skr-
mishes with the insurgents. This Is the
tone adopted by the newspapers. Ell
Like al says: at is a new failure
for The Americans. but. considering the
results. we must not attribute to 1t the
Importance of q real victory"
In the absence of trustworthy news
from the Philippines the widest ru-
mors are again afoat. Credulous pa
triots cling to the view that Admiral
Cervera can work miracles. and they
believe. despite all evidence to the con-
trary, that his squadron is well on the
way to the Philippines. The peace pos
slblities continue to be discussed Some
sanguine people urge that negotiations
mi3ht be opened at once All sensible
people continue to say, as they have
been saying for weeks past, that, short
of miracles, there is no doubt of the
final result Of an unequal struggle, and
that the longer the struggle continues
the greater will be the sacrifices. But
! still. fail to perceive in any influential
quarter a readiness to act on this con-
Viction. When | ask my friends why
they do not propose to make peace they
reply that Spain, being the aggrieved
PARTY, cannot take the initiative.
On analyZlng the opinion that
psychological moment for starting
peace negotiations has arrived found
it was based not on the consciousness
that Spain is rapidly exhaustng her re-
sources, but olrthe belief that the great
majority of Americans have already
tired Of war. that President Mckinley
is. consequently, becoming unpopular,
and that the peace suggestions of thu
Paris edition CT the New York Herald
were inspired by President Mckinley
himself.
AS for S3ain, my friends maintain
that she is in no hurry. as recent events
have shown her powers of passive re-
sst2rce to be far greater than has
been supposed. The conquest of Cuba,
they say, vii require two years at the
least, and probably much r.ore and il |
the island is ever conquered it will be |
a white elephant for the United States
The conclusion is that America has |
much more reason than Spain to de-
sire termination of hostilites. Such
is, II I diagnose Alright, the present |
state Of public opinion among most
reasonable people here. Such an at
titudc is hardly likely to serve the
cause CT ceGcc.
1t is reported that during the en-
Eagement at Santiago two shells strucl:
the Vizcava and one the destroyer
Furor. Admiral Ccrvora praises the
splendid behavior CT the marine bri-
Eade that served the guns cf the Cas-
tillo de la Sccapa battery under ter
rible fire for several hours.
Press dispatches say that the Reina
Mercedes suffered most from the shell
fire, which rortally Wou2ded her COM
Captain Acosta. The total
number Of casualties on the ship waJ
80, the captain, five seamen and q me-
Ines killed and lieutenant and II
men wounded
steam up. was lying behind the first
Inc Of defenscs in the channel leading
from the bay ready to cooperate, but
the land defensCs sui.iced to keep the
American feet from attempting to force
the entrance
The loyalist volunteers, according to
the press dispatches, took part in the
gallant defense of Moro fort, losing
TWO officers and several men. Thev
also assisted the troops to oppose an
American landing, attempted at two
places
On account of tic serious newS from
he Philippines the leaders Of the
parties in the chamber OF
leputies met Senor Sagasta yesterday
o consider the situation. The pre-
nier strove to convince them of the
,ravity of existing circumstances, urg-
ng that they Ou~ht Immediately to
dopt the budget and to declare that
he chamber should sit in permancnce.
Professor Salmeron, the Republican
1ader; SenOr Romero y Rohedo. leader
f the Weylerite party, and Senior Bar
10, a Carlist donuty, opposed Senor
aSasta'S suggestions, but declared
hat they would support the govern
lent
The queen regent is said to be in
! health. She hardly ever appears in
ublic, though she drives daily in the