The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 4, 1898.

INeuleLlDeT iilo malnes
Down with Spainr'
President Mckinley having shown
the world that the U. S. was not seek
ing quarrel with Spain, and Spain
having declined its last opportunity
to give up Cuba peaceably, and hav-
ing added insult to injury by treating
ter and suggesting that it might be
referred to international arbitration,
there is no honorable course left this
country except to use force in driving
Spain out of Cuba and in establishing
the independence of Cuba. Congress
will this week upon President McKin-
ley's recommendation authorize that
course and then there will be war.
This war has not been sought by the
administration, but every prepare
ton has been made to fight it to a
speedy and victorious close. Now
that it is almost upon us, there is no
doubt or hesitation in any quarter.
Steps have already been taken that
will result in the necessary legislation
by Congress to provide the money
needed to carry on war on a scale
large enough to make sure that it will
be short. There is but one feeling in
Washington, and that is, to give
Spain thorough licking, regardless
of any attempt that may be made by
European powers to prevent it, either
by diplomacy or force.
CAPTAIN Sigsbee, late Commander
of the battleship Maine. was the guest
of honor at reception held by the
National Geographical Society Satur-
day night. There was only one fault
to be found with this reception.
There were thousands who wished to
honor CAPTAIN Sigsbee by attending
who were unable to secure the invi-
tatiOn required for admittance.
There may be another reception
rendered him that will be public in
fact, and not in name only.
IllOSe WIZ dI6 ttllAlOuS W lJdIIlCl-
pate in the war with Spain can
best accomplish their purpose by
joining the militia at their homes, as
it is generally understood in Wash
ington that the militia will be the
first troops put in the field, and be-
lieved that no Others will be required,
outside of the regulars.
Germany has officially announced
to this Government its intention to
remain neutral in the war between
the U. S. and Spain, but recent dip
lomatic occurrences have aroused a
suspicion that the U. S. may be up
against Germany before the Spanish
war has proceeded very far. The
suspicious circumstances is a claim
made by Germany upon Spain for
property destroyed in Cuba by the
insurgents. This property was only
destroyed about three weeks ago and
yet Germany is talking about using
force to compel a settlement. 1t will
not greatly surprise diplomats if
Spain settles that German claim by
ceding to Germany a portion of Cuba
or Porto Rico, solely with the inten-
ton to defeat the plans of this Gov
eminent to make Cuba an independ-
ent republic. If Germany agreed to
such plan, it would be deliberately
done for the purpose of provoking a
scrap with us as the Monroe doctrine
expressly forbids the acquiring of ad-
ditional territory on the hemisphere
by any European Government and
the Z. S. has too often reiterated its
intention to maintain that doctrine
at all hazards for any doubt to exist
as to what our position would be in
such case.
Some idea of the feeling in Congress
may be gained from the following
words of Representative Crout, of
Vermont, one of the most conserva-
tive men in the House: 81 am in
favor of swift and terrible vengeance
upon Spain. Up to the present time |
have been opposed to any interven-
ton by force in Cuba and was one
of the few republicans who voted
against the recognition of Cuban bel
ligerency more than year ago, when
the question was presented to the
House. Now l am ready to use our
Army and Navy to drive the Spanish
flag from the island of Cuba, and |
will not only follow, but am prepar-
ed to lead in a movement to author
ize the President to teach the Span
ish Government that she cannot in
suit this nation with impunity and
hide behind the cloak of diplomacy
The American people are inflamed be-
yond endurance by the method she
has employed in dealing with the
Cubans, and the destruction of the
Maine is an additional cause for the
immediate resort to force. 1t will not
do to treat the blowing up of our
battleship and the killing of our gal
liant sailors as simply a distressing in
cident of the Cuban situation. The