Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-26
SPAIN MrSr rlKE rIfE INITIATIVE.

The proposal OF regulations lot pctte'
whenever made. must come from Spain.
1t has been suggested that the United
States might properly take the initiative
and that the time is already ripe for
entering into peace negotiations. This
is urged by the Boston Transcript,
which says that with the initiative
taken by this country 1t would be n
demonstration of our profcssed %altruistic
purposes in %rcsorting to war" In the
opinion Of that Journal sit would disSi-
pate the doubts OF our good faith which
are now beginning to arise In some
quarters of the earth. 1t would free us
from the dangers which threaten
through a loss of national balance,
should the war be indefinitely prolonged
and develop new grievances to be set
tied as 1t continued 1t is urged that
enough has been accomplished to con
vince ourselves and to show to
the Spanish government and the
hands, therefore we are in a po-
sition "to reflect credit upon our ma
~tionality and demonstrate our broad en-
lightenment and lofty humanity" OF
course the Transcript does not "a
peace except upon terms which would
fulfill the purpose for which war was
entered upon and it implies a doubt
whether Spain would accept such terms.
Perhaps a considerable number of peo-
pie in New England and elsewhere will
concur in the view of our Boston con
temporary, but it is safe to say that Il
very large majority of the American
people would uncompromisingly oppose
the proposition hat the United States
should take the initiative for peace ne
gotiations, now or hereafter. What
ever may be thought in regard to the re-
sponSibility for war-whether 1t rests
with the United States or with Spain
there ear be no doubt hat the
practically unanimous judgment of the
country is that it should be prosecuted
on the part of the United States until
Spain surrenders or sues for peace. I'm
QucStionably the nearly universal feeling
is that his country cannot offer any con-
c~essions in the interest of peace without
national humiliation and Il loss of pres
tige and respect in the public opinion of
the world. There is no doubt in regard
to the outcome OF the conflict. Whether
it be protracted or of short duration it
will end in the complete triumph of The
United States. Spain and the civilized
world understand this as well as we do
We have won the mastery of the sea,
Our armies have invaded Cuba and the
Philippines and will soon occupy
Porto Rico. Within the next thirty OIL
sixty days an American fleet may
threaten the seaports of Spain itself
The American people are proud of what
has been achieved and they feel that The
honor and dignity of the nation are IN
volved in II vigorous prosecution of til,
war until the enemy is completely
beaten at every point. For this coun
try, under such circumstances to tax,
the initiative in proposing negotiation;
for peace, would be regarded by nearl!
' all Americans as a pitiable exhibition o
weakness if not cowardice and by tn,
g rest of the world as Il confession o
doubt as to the justice of entering int
war. 1t wouIu depreciate rather thai
+ raise us in the estimation of the worl,
a and in the degree that we lost in tn
e respect of mankind our enemy .woul,
gain.
The United States did not go to wa
q for conquest. 1t has so assured til
r world and the pledge must and we be
8 lieve will be regarded. But it is nc
necessary to a demonstration of our III
selfish purposes that we shall propos
peace, especially at the risk of havin
l the proposal rejected to our humiliation
If Spain desires peace she has but t
aTk in order to obtain it. This countr
a will undoubtedly be found ready at n
time to enter into peace negotiation
when Spain shall desire it, but it wi
II not take the initiative, nor will it prol
ably seriously consider any prOpositio
looking toward peace that does not con
" directly from Spain.