The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-26
COMMENT OFF FOREIGN PRESS.
Some of the London Editors Think
War Is Inevitable.

war Is lnGEttabAe.
LONDON, March 26--The Madrid corre-
spondent OF the Standard says: 1.-THE min
isterialists are making no secret that inn
portant communications have already
passed between Washington and Madrid,
acquainting the Spanish government with
the drift of the policy President Mckinley
is about to adopt and which has been met
with conciiatory but firm protests and rep
resentation on the part of SPAIN.
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Mail says: 1.-THE tenor of the comment of
the Spanish press is that the American
commission of inquiry into the Maine dis
aster is afraid of an international inves-
tigation 1t was first reported that the
United States would not accede to Captain
Sigsbee'S request, but later information al
leges that the Washington government is
discussing the advisability of blowing up
the remains Of the Maine. The general be-
lief in Madrid is that America does not
consider the Maine question a sound basis
for conflict and is seeking to provoke Spain
by sending help, nominally to the reconcen-
trados, but really to the rebels. The Spanish
press is unanimous in treating as an insult
Americas suspicion that Spain is guilty of
having exploded the Maine
The Daily Mail, which regards war be-
tween the United States and Spain as in
evitable, the only uncertainty being the
time Spain will choose for beginning hos
tilities, says: America will naturally tri-
umph and earn the worlds praise for rid
ding Cuba of ruthless tyranny, but she will
fight at a disadvantage if compelled to fight
immediately"
The Daily Graphic this morning COM
mends President Mckinley for making the
Maine matter a side issue, and says: ''It is
the duty on both sides to obtain an inde-
pendent investigation. To send assistance
to the noncombatants in Cuba is to force
war. President Mckinley should either help
the Sagasta Cabinet to make home rule
reality or should give Spain notice to quit"
The Times does not comment on the
cabled forecasts of the report of the court
of inquiry apparently awaiting the official
announcement.
The Morning Post says: 1.-THE gravity of
the Cuban question is enormously increased
by the An nerican report, because even if no
distinct indictment of the Spanish govern
ment is included, the reserve hitherto MAIN
tainad will be abandoned, and Spain will be
cfarged by the American papers with
treachery and malice, while the American
people will be excited to fever point Spain.
however, has already borne so much that
conflict may still be avoided, but, if her OBJ
ject has only been to gain time, it may be
that she Is now in a position to adopt a
more martial attitude"
The Daily Chronicle, after expressing a
doubt whether the Spanish inquiry has been
conducted as carefully as the American. the
report of whose commission, it saws. is Sin
harmony with all the probabilities of the
case" proceeds to review the principal as
poets of the question. 1.-THE patience of the
Washington government" says the Daily
Chronicle, land the calm pacific policy of
the President have been beyond all praise.
Had the people of the United States been
polled on the question war would have been
declared before now, not, as has been false
ly suggested. on account of financial and
commercial interests, but on grounds of
humanity and because of the intolerable
stencil of this open sore close to the borders
of the great Republic But it is evident
that the time for action has arrived. Presi-
dent Mckinley must take such steps as TO
challenge in the most direct way Spain's
right to murder her revolted colonists any
longer. If she attempts to resist the pro-
visioning of starving Cubans from American
ports. war there win and must be, quite
apart from any treachery to the American
war ship. Despite all rumors, it is quite
certain that Spain will have no allies, and
the result will be the liberation of Cuba"
The Daily Telegraph says: "Supposing
the American report to be substantiated,
there can be no question that Spain is pri-
marily responsible, as any country would
be if Il similar catastrophe occurred along
its coast line. If the Spanish authorities |
were ignorant of the position of the SUBJ
marine mines. their ignorance is culpable.
II they We're aware and omitted to warn
their guests. their position is still less de-
fensible. The report adds fuel to the
flames. If the task of diplomats ana
statesmen was arduous before, it is ten |
times more difficult now"
The Daily Telegraph. discussing elsewhere |
Continued ON Fifth Page1