The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16
spain, 1t Is said, VIII Gain Nothing by
the Concession, and May be Forced
to Sell the Island.
OWNERSOF $500, 100000 BONDS
WOULD NOT BE AVERsE TO UNCLE
SAM PURCHASING CUBA.
President McIxinIey's PoIicy-GeneraI
DeIgadO, an Insurgent Chieftain,
Killed by His Followers.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-The admins
tration is not surprised that there should
be a revolt among the Spaniards of Cuba
against autonomy. In fact, it would not
be surprised at anything which might oc-
cur in Havana or any other part of the
island. There has been skepticism at the
White House about the success of auton-
Omy from the first, but the administra-
ton could not do otherwise than give the
new Spanish Ministry ample time in which
to try the experiment. To have denied
Spain that privilege would have put this
government in an attitude of hostility to-
ward that country which could not be
taken with any degree of fairness The
fact that the President did not believe in
the success of the bimetallic monetary
commission did not prevent him from APP
pointing three great and good friends as
silver commissioners to make the attempt
TO gain the cooperation of European ma
tons for an international agreement The
impossibility of such an agreement has been
established by the free silverites them
selves Similarly, it is expected that the
Spanish government, if given rope will con-
vince itself and the world of the utter
futility of the autonomy plan for restoring
peace in Cuba. That fact established
Spain will then be forced to resume its eff
forts to crush out the rebellion by force of
arms, and the end will thus be brought so
much nearer. The administration has not
indicated what its policy will be when
Spain reaches the point of exhaustion but
it has come to be believed in quarters
where international intrigues are discussed
that the ultimate conclusion of the Cuban
problem will be the acquisition of the
island by the United States by pur-
chase. The relations between the two
governments are now SO friendly that the
President can make overtures without being
rebuffed. 1t is no longer a secret that the
holders of the bonds representing the Gu
ban war debt of about $500 Geo. 900 are anx-
ious to have the United States take the ISL
and and assume part or all of this indebted
ness. and these hondholders are powerful
at Madrid. The bonds are held in France
Germany and England and were placed by
the great banking houses which exert al
most potential control of the affairs of the
weaker nations of the old world.
The friends of the President will not dis
cuss the plans of the administration with
regard to Cuba beyond the statement that
it is the purpose of the President to MAIN
'"li d poSlG2n VI Neutrality until the time
Is ripe for friendly Intervention on lines
which will give promise of an adjustment
of the troubles in manner satisfactory
to the people of the United States and to
the people of Cuba and SPAIN. The Gu
bans themselves are averse to assuming
this war debt, which was incurred for the
purchase of powder to blow them off the
face of the earth, but they will not care
If their big neighbor, Uncle Sam, assumes
the load as the price of their annexation to
this Republic, which is the next thing to
independence and in many respects better
for them, because it would assure stability
in their home government.