The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-28
The INTELLIGENCER.
WHEELING. MARCH, as. 1898.
Gravity OF tl,e c'rists.

MANY VI Athhs
The Indications are that the President
believes that the Cuban question can be
5 solved without war. although he is pre-
pared for that emergency should It
! come, and will not hesitate one moment
when It appears that no settlement can
4 be made without q resort to arms. lie
Srclies largely on the hope that Congress
: will restrain itself from firebrand ac-
i tioni until a reply. can be received from
Spain to the two notes submitting the
x Maine decision and intlmating human
itarian intervention in the Cuban war
IN the interest Of peace. Much, OF
course, depends upon Congress and
Spain. II Congress will curb itself un-
til Spain responds to the Presidents
notes the President believes that his
Z plan will be successful. inasmuch as
there IS a growing indication in Spanish
circles toward an endeavor to avoid war.
& Il IS very apparent that the govern
4 nent at Madrid will avoid llostilities. "
/ It can do SO without too great sac:'-
fee. AS the situation now stands. 1t
: may be expected that the Presiden: will
send the report of the Maine court Of
& inquiry 10 Congress to-day. with the
announcement that the Spanish govern,
mesthas been notified OF the finding OF
the court. SPANS response. which IS
already forecast. it is believed will be on
the line OF a "fee..ecs:" :or an arbitration
of the: Maine matter in the
hope of eliminating that incident as a
war feature. Should this be true 1t may.
cease +, DE an immediate dangerous ele-
{ ment in the situation. This however,
does not insure peace. for, no matter
what disposal is made of the. Maine af-
fair, the serious outcome OF the interven-
lion for peace in Cuba is yet 10 come,
and either peace or war vii! be the re-
: suit, with the chances largely favoring
= the latter.
AZ outlined In the Washington dis
patches Of yesterday, It is expected that
ION Tuesday or Wednesday OF this week
s the President will send messase-:o
Congress dealing with the terrible con-
dl,lon OF the reconcentradoes II, Cuba,
and asking for the means to afford them
relief.8 The intention also is to firmly
call the attention of Spain to the condl-
{. tion Of the non-combatants or pactticos.
Y and formally ask that government to
care for them, and also to take imme-
3diate steps to make terms OF peace with
1.-THE Cubans. and end the war. II Spain
resents this interference on the part OF
the President, then the next and final
step will come, namely, forcible inter-
Yention by the United States govern
ment on, the ground Of humanity. II
this means war then We shall have 1t.
The result lies with Spainiherself, and
she will be placed In the attitude OF going
4 to war with this country to prevent us
from tnterceding in behalf OF her own
starving subjects.
In the meantime, as these develop
fnents occur, much depends upon the
self-poise and conservatism OF Congress.
The fear mas been expressed that the
reading Of the report OF the board Of In
" qury in Congress to-day will call out
much OF the pent-up war feeling among
the members. and despite the desire that
II the plans OF the President should be
given a chance to work out, a bcllicosc
resolution might be adopted that would
overturn the whole programme, cntoar-
!: rass tie administration and precipitatc
trouble at the outset.
The whole country will hope that the
members OF Congress who are charged
with speeches that they must fire OFF,
Z regardless OF consequences, for home
Consumption among thcir constituents,
will restrain themselves. The country
does not want war IL 1t can be honor
( ably avoided; It is willing and will even
demand war II the necessities warrant 1t
I and II the humane and patriotic purpose
Z of this country cannot be carried out
without 1t. 1t would not be wise to pre-
iSiPtutc ~ it aoNhhSc VI 'HS ~
ton which seeks the accom-
pllshmcnt OF that purpose with
out bloodshed, md which will throw
\ the burden of responsibility for war
upon Spain. The President has taken n
\ firm stand in his notes to Spain, and
. Congress at this time will be expected
by the people to stand firmly by the E1-
ecutivc. who Is shrinking from no duty
that he owes the country. Ir the
meantime, II there Is to DO war 1t will
! come finding the country well prepared
forlit. which is In itself vIndlcation of
g. the policy which has been pursued in
the past few weeks.
As TO Cubn's Future.