The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-10
Meaning of the De LONE Letter.

The chief point of interest in the
de Lone letter is not its insulting ref
erence to President Mckinley. That
ought to touch the nerves of the Amer
lean people, since it is peculiarly con-
temptible exhibition OF ingratitude; but
it is no more than the president had
every reason to expect.
The letters largest significance is in
its authoritative revelation of Spain's
desperation in Cuba. in it's frank ac-
acknowledgement that everything de-
pends on military success there. We
know now that no military success has
been won by Spain since the writing of
this letter; that on the contrary Gen
cral Pando has been licked to a stand
still ny Generals Garcia and Rabi in
Santiago de Cuba while in Santa Clara
and Puerto Principe the insurgents
have things practically their own way.
In every respect therefore, Spain is
weaker and the Cuban insurrection is
stronger than when de Lone wrote so
frankly to the editor of the Madrid
Heraldo; and after this authoritative
exposure of the hollowness of autonomy
it is difficult to see how Spain can by
any future means recover the ground
thus lost.
Then, TOO, the further agitation of
the question of commercial relations
"for effect will scarcely produce the
desired effect, now that we have unde-
niable assurance that in seeking such
relations Spain has merely been trying
TO play with us in the hope of gaining
additional time.
Lastly. the Cuban junta in New York
by the Notification of it's latest claim
scores a new triumph which adds per-
ceptibly to it's weight and influence
in this country. 1t will be recalled
that the junta has never once de-
ceived the American people. When
Cognosto and de LONE said that Ruiz
had been assassinated by Aranguren
under flag OF truce, the junta stated
that he had been executed as a briber
and a spy, and Consul General Lee
has since confirmed the junta's ver-
sion. Again, when de LONE claimed
that a Spanish force had captured the
Cuban capital the junta asserted that
the SpaniaIds had been beaten back
with great loss, and this, too has
since been confirmed. Finally in the
two versions given of Aranguren's
murder it has been the juntas story
which has stood the test of time.
We known now by the best of Span.
ish evidence that Spanish diplomacy
means barefaced Spanish lying; thai
its chief weapons are falsehood, de.
ception and Doodle; and that no asser,
tion certified to by Spain is entitled tC
credence until corroborated from in
dependent sources. Whether it il
worth while for the government Of tn,
United States hereafter to waste pre-
cious time and submit in patience
to the wanton sacrifice of thousands
of lives in order to avoid rufiiing tn,
sensibiltes of the Spanish people is
point which ought soon to be brough
to a definite issue.
In the meantime, Dupuy de Lom,
can pack UP and git
Report comes from Williamsport tina
the rod Of correction has been applied
TO the back OF girl school pupil o
sweet sixteen in presence OF the at
tendants Of one Of the schools of tn
town, The directors, IT is said will
investigate the case and vindicate eth
er the pupil or the principal Thi
would seem TO be the proper course
II the rising generation Of Williams
port is OF "a class that is in need o
a r b saa &. "a.