The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-01
The Cuban Problem.

The Cuban Problem.
\ question which is receiving a good
deal OF attention is to what extent will
the Maine incident assist in solving the
Cuban problem? There are reasons for
thinking that it will assist greatly. There
are very few. outside of the fanatics who
believe that the Spanish government had
anything to DO with the destruction of the
Maine, but there is very general belief
that the batteship was destroyed by a
torpedo or a submarine mine II this be-
lief should prove to be correct the United
States would in all probability, demand
from Spain a very large indemnity on the
ground that the Maine was in a friendly
Spanish harbor and was therefore under
the protection Of Spain-Spain being re-
sponsibie for the action of her citizens or
for acts of violence committed in her ter
ri,ory.
If Spain should refuse to admit her La
bnity the United States would probably
take steps to compel her to admit it and
pay the indemnity demanded. That course
might result in war, which would not end
until Independence was granted to Cuba
or independence might be granted to Gu
5a without war. In either event Cuba
would be benefited.
But suppose the investigating board
should report that the Maine disaster was
the result of an accident What then?
cuba would still be benefited by that dis
aster, because it IS almost certain that
Congress would insist that the war in
Cuba should come to an end speedily
There are reports ready to send to Con-
gress showing a deplorable condition of
affairs in Cuba-a condition of affairs
which the United States cannot very well
afford to permit to continue These re-
ports tell of the starving of thousands of
people and of the brutal methods which
Spain is using to compel the Cubans to
recognize her authority. With such re-
ports before it and a strong public senti-
ment behind it Congress would most like
ly pursue a course that would lead Spain
10 recognize the necessity of abandoning
Cuba. 1t is hardly probable that Spain
would sell Cuba to the United States even
If they were willing to buy the island,
dence IL Cuba should agree to pay her
part of the losses she sustained in
trying to put down the insurrection-the
payment to be guaranteed by the United
States.
BY the time the investigating board is
ready to make its report the United States
will be in much better condition for war
than they are now. Their fortified lions
are being strengthened all along the coast,
and the army and navy are being put in
readiness for hostilities with great rapi
dity. Congress, knowing the United States
to be pretty well equipped for war, would
not hesitate to take a very firm attitude
in respect to Cuba 1t would be far more
aggressive than it has been at any time
since the war in. Cuba began. Under the
circumstances Spain might not be so adj
verse to parting with Cuba, provided she
could get a price somewhere near the
amount which she has expended in trying
TO re-establish her authority in Cuba.
No doubt there will be a good deal of
war talk during the next few months,
but it is pretty safe to say that there
won't be war between the United States
and Spain. The latter would make every
reasonable concession before she would
engage in war with the United States.
Cuba, however is certain to be benefit
ted whether the Maine incident is settled
peaceably or otherwise In fact, is would
not be surprising if Cuba should have her
freedom before the end of the present
year.