Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-05
INTERVENTION OR WAR.


II the Spanish government enter
talns hope that European mediation
European concert" will result In any
advantage not obtainable by direct
negotiations with the United States,
the illusion ought TO be dispelled with
out delay. European concert once was
a great factor in the politics OF the Old
world, but Of late years II seems to he
only an empty word, or at most an
arrangement whereby any one country
Is prevented by all the others from do.
Ing anything as far as these have the
power to prevent 1t. But even II the
so-called concert were something real.
1t would be necessary for the United
States to point out to Europe that this
country Is neither Turkey nor a Bal
kan state. nor any other secondhand
principally created and existing by
the indulgence OF the Old world and
consequently subject to the fatherly
suggestions OF its potentates. The
European concert can have no jurls.
dlctlon whatever over the affairs OF this
country. The very suggestion Of medl-
alton in Concert" has a discoriant
sound.
The mind OF the people of the
United States is pretty well made up
at this time. The lengthy negotiations
about Cuba and the almost sublime
calmness with which the terrible
Maine disaster has been discussed.
Notwithstanding the suspicion that II
was caused by foul play, should con-
vince Spain that no demands will be
made except those founded on the die.
tates OF the most impartial justice. 1t
requires no pressure from Europe to
make the United States conform to
reason and humanity; nor can any
such pressure result in the deviation,
on the part Of this country, from the
course adopted after mature consldera-
ton. When the duty of the United
States government is clear any effort
TO force 1t to make concessions mus,
fail.
II, however. the powers OF Europe
with OF without the additional lnilu.
ence Of the head OF the Roman church
have any control over public opinion
In Spain. they would better exert II
for the purpose of inducing that coun.
try to yield. with as much dignity a,
the case may admit. to the demands Of
the United states. The choice OF the
Madrid government should not be dill,
cult to make. The question is to re.
ceive compensation for the Independ.
ence of Cuba, or to lose the island
without any compensation. spain',
case is apparently hopeless. TT
80 on with the Cuban struggle
can mean nothing but national bank,
ruptcy and anarchy; to surrender tn,
island without an indemnity woull
probably also provoke a national I'm,
rising. The suggestion that the On,
bans be allowed to purchase their owr
country. or at least the part OF it stir
held by the Spaniards. would seem II
be an easy escape from a most a,s
tressing dilemma. II seems to be tn,
special desire OF his holiness to save
II possible. the reigning dynasty. Il
this is his aim, it must be gained h,
Inducing the head of that dynasty t,
listen to reason before the fateful di,
has been cast.
Word has just been received tina,
warship has been dispatched to cuhr
to take on board General Leo AMI
other Americans who may desire +,
leave the island. This may mean tbal
the government is about to seve,
diplomatic relations with Spain; or 4
may be intended as an empha,,,
notice to that country that ,ho