The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-17
AGAINST AN "UNH0LY WAR"
President Still Vigorously Preparing
for Possible Hostiiities.


HERALD BUREAU, WASHINGTON, ID.
C.. March 15.-"Rathcr my admlnisltatio
should be an ignominiOus failure than tnat
II should be responsible for an unhoiy
war"
This was the declaration made by Prcsi-
dent Mckinley to-day TO an adminis'ra-
ton senator. with whom nc was discuss
ing the danger Of conflict win Wnom ne
was discussing the danger Of conllict
with spain. This shows that the Presi-
dent. while vigorously preparing Tor tho
national defence and for the successlui
prosecution Of a war, should II be thrust
upon the United States, still hopes Ior
successful solution of the present troubles
with Spain, and is determined that ~ there
is a war il shall be one that Spain Us re-
sponsible for bringing on.
The President will maintain the honor
and dignity Of the country. lie VIII m
slst upon reparation for the Maine disas-
ter and ne Will take steps 70 bring about
the termination OF the Cuban Instruction
His course will be such, however, that n
war results it will be war which viii
not only meet the approved OF the people
Of the United States, but one which FOR
eign nations and the calm judgment OF
history will justify the administration
In waging.
Clamor OF the jingoes will not influence
the President and he will not be driven
into plunging the country into an unIus-
tiaable war. Though many public men
here do not share his hope, the President
is stnl hopeful that the latest propcsi-
ton for the purchase by the Cubans of
their independence from Spain 10y the
formation of a great European and Amer
lean syndicate % take the bonds of q new
republic may succeed
/ now have definite knowledge that on
Saturday last cablegrams were sent from
Washington by the advocates OF the pro-
posed syndicate 90 foreign financial I'M
stltutious and banking houses interes ted
I'm SPANS debt and 20 the English gov-
eminent with the end in vie" of having
strong pressure brought TO bear upon the
Spanish government Immediately altef
President Mckinley shall have submitted
his demands to the Spanish governments.
President Mckinley hopes lhat if thcse
great financial interests and the English
government then bring pressure 20 bear
upOn Spain. The Sagasta Ministry VIII
Weld to the demands made by the Unite
ed States and war will De avoided. Tho
note which the President Will submit io
Spain will be drawn so as 20 avoid ass
far az possible the giving Of offence to
that country The demand for rep3ra-
ton for the loss Of the Maine ana for
the death of her officers and men VIII Doe
straightforward and hrm.
1t is on the question Of Cuban independ-
ence that the note will be conciliatory in
fits terms. I'm his first communication. at
least, the President will not demand the
acknowledgment by Spain of the indie
pendencs Of the Republic of Cuba. lie
will make the suggestion that Spain enter
into negotiations for allowing the Cuhans
TO purchase their independence, with un-
derstanding that the bonds will Doe taken
by syndicate of bankers of such stand
ing as would assure Spain the full pur-
chase price.
This would it is believed. be less often
sive to the Spanish and more likely 10
succeed than would proposition 90 have
the Cuban bonds guaranteed by tho gov
eminent of the United States The gov
eminent Of the United States would not
figure directly in any way with the neso-
tiations that would bee undertaken.
The President hopes that Dr. the govern
ment Of Spain is urged by the men who
hold their bonds and by the British gor-
eminent TO accept these terms when they
are offered they Will yield. Even among
some of the members of Che President
Cabinet 10 IS believed that De is moro
than the situation seems 90 justify.
While it is recognized that the financial
institutions which have been asked TO-
urge Spain TO yield are powerful. and
while it is believed that Che S1eastl min-
istry would be glad to accep. almost amy
solution Of the present difficulty tldt
mieht be suggested as am alternative or
war it is doubted N any Ministry in spain
could With safety to itself and 90 tho
reigning house consent 10 any proposition
looking to the giving up Of Cuba TO the
insurgents
This leads mp to what has long been
recognized as the most dangerous phase
of The situation. The question or whei her
or not the Sagastl Ministry could yield 10
the demand for repatriation for the Maine
and entertain any proposition for tho
independence OF Cuba without end1u8er-
ing u revolution i'm Spain. IL brought face
to face with the alternative of d foreign
war or domestic revolution. in spite of
bankruptcy and the pressure Of bond
holders and in the face OF inevitable de-
feat. the Spanish government might ace
cept such a conflict which would tend 90
unity tho nation and raily it Co The sup
port OF the Ministry. rather than % run
the danger of civil war which would
endanger both the Ministry and The
throne. and might result in years az
strife and dissensi0n among the Spanish
people.
Few men I'm Congress share the optim-
istic views Of the President regarding the
likelihood OF Spain yielding 20 the pres
sure OF foreign governments and capital
lists who control her debt. and tho proba-
hility OF war g. not lessened I'm the minds
OF the average public man here. Even
tho discussion i'm the Cabinet to-day
showed that no ono there considered that
element OF danger was yeC eliminated
New York Herald.