Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-14
THE PopE's DESPAIR.

II seems, from the latest dispatches,
that the Roman pontiff has given up
the hope OF preventing q conflict be-
tween the United States and Spain.
His words In the sistine chapel after
mass are most pathetic: II have prayed
God with the whole force OF my being
and with the deepest fervor to avert this
war and not TO allow the pontiflcal ef-
forts to end In the smoke OF battle;
otherwise have implored the Almighty
to take me to Himself, that l may not
behold such a sight" Undoubtedly
the venerable head of the Roman
church has n clearer perception OF the
outcome of such a war than the great
majority of the Spanish people. TO his
vision the pouring out of the Walls OF
wrath upon one OF tie old and strong
pillars of the Catholic faith comes dan
gerously near affecting the eccesiasti-
cal throne itself. Yet that seems now
inevitable. 1t IL n pity that the pope
should not have seen his way clear
long before this to reason with the
Spanish people and government. to the
end of preventing the unspeakable
cruelties on Cuban soil--those COM
mitted by the insurgents as well Ms
by the other side; It IL a pity that his
influence was not exerted for the pur-
pose of Inducing Spain to offer suitable
apology and reparation for the ter
rible disaster In Havana harbor At
the earlier stages of the trouble the
task would have been comparatively
easy. Now It is not
Spains attitude at present Is an
enigma, almost as difficult as that of
the Egyptian sphinx. Before the bar
OF civilized nations, President Me-
kinley. in an Indictment characterized
by dignity ana calm elaboration and
government He states that "in the
name of humanity, in the name OF
civilization, in behalf of endangered
American interests. which give us the |
right and the duty to speak and 10
act. the war In Cuba must stop" He
points to the destruction of the Maine
with the concomltant loss OF life as one
OF the evidences that the Cuban con-
ditions are intolerable. And to all the
charges, direct and Implied, Spain re-
mains mute. Not a word OF explana-
ton. no sign of n desire to meet the |
just demands of the United States In |
a spirit OK tairntas ami justice. On |
the contrary. every effort has been
made by q fanatic Spanish press, APP
with the approval OF those
In high authority. to incriminate the
United States. charging the failure of |
tho Spanish arms In Cuba and all the
horrors of the war there to the Amer
lean people. and even rldicuing the
findings of the court of inquiry. And
lastly. according to n Madrid dis
patch. Spanish cabinet minister de-
clares in advance that SHOULD Presi-
dent Mckinley notify Spain TO evacu-
ate Cuba, this government win i'm
and emphatically refuse,
and will add that 1t is fully prepared
TO take the consequences" II this senti-
ment prevails. the Roman pontff has
cause for anxiety.
II Spain, however, in the last mo-
mcnt sees her best interests. she Will
sim agree to solution of the troubles
rs WV paSi' SUI ioilii III the utlI1ililuS OF |
Congress-. There are internal troubles
N Spain too serious 80 be overlooked
~ rational government. In a man
festo Issued by the pretender to the
spanish throne, Don Carlos sets forth
hat If the Madrid government does
rot venture into war. the Carlists who
10 not respond 10 the N-ee of the
iinE." are traitors. That Ia. the pre-
ender evidently looks upon war with
he United States as an aid to his
ause. He presumably believes that
he conflict will be disastrous TO the
eigning dynasty and prepare way for
lin to the coveted throne. on the ruins
# Spain. he sees the chance for which
le has been waiting. The open :
declaration of this should be enough
o cool the ardor of the war spirit
mong the people loyal 10 the reigning \
ouse, or 1t should move the friendly l
owens OF Euproe to take the necessary Z
to prevent the threatened {
ostilities, by forcing Spain to Yield a
D reason. In the hope that some such I
ction Will be taken lies the only hope Il
the preservation of the worlds Y
CAGE. Q
THE oFFIcE-sEEKER's END.