The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-04
The Future of Spain.

in the New World, it becomes a matter o.
interest to consider what foreign posses
slonss she has left, what prospect she has Of
exterior expansion and what are her capa
billties OF rehabilitation through the devel
opment OF her internal resources.
In the Pacific, Spain is still the owner Of
the Caroline and Pelew archipelagoes, and
Of all the Ladrones except Guam. AS she
has no longer any use for these islands,
which she originally occupied as way sta.
lions on the sailing route from Acapulco
to Manila, she will, of course. regard
them as chattels, to be sold to tho high.
est bidder. Our Peace Commissioners in
Paris will offer to buy one Of the Car.
dimes, and it is understood that Ger
many stands ready to buy the rest of that
group. For the other islands which we
have mentioned purchasers are certain
to be found, when trans-Pacific commerce
shall have felt the tremendous stimulus
which Is certain to be impaired by the con.
struction of q canal across the American
isthmus. II the Madrid Government Ia wise,
1t will retain for a time some Of its Pacific
islands. upon the ground that they are
real estate, destined to profit by the "un-
earned increment"
In the North Atlantic Ocean. between the
parallels Of 27e A. and 29o 3 north latitude,
and the meridians Of 49, g. and 49, q
west Of Greenwich, Spain possesses the
Canaries, Of which the seven principal
islands cover an area of 3,256 square miles,
and contain a population OF over 800. 900.
The importance Of this group as q start
ing point for the trade-wind voyage Of
sailing vessels to America has passed away
since the advent OF the age OF steam.
The islands, however, retain great COM
meroial and strategic value, regarded Is
stations for coaling and repair on the route
to India around the Cape Of Good Hope.
Several Of the harbors afford excellent an
chorase, end they are capable Of being
very strongly fortified. The Philippines,
however, being lost, the Canaries have
ceased to be Of any benefit to Spain, while,
on the other hand, they would DO of great
mercantile or naval utility to Great Britain
or to Germany.
On the west coast OF the Sahara, south Of
the southern frontier Of Morocco, and nearly
opposite the Canaries, Spain possesses a
block Of territory known as the Rio d'Oro,
and comprising about $50, 900 square miles.
The agricultural and commercial worth of
this region Is, as yet, undetermined. Fur
Their south, on the west coast of Africa,
Spain also owns Fernando Pc and one or
two other islands n a patch on the
Guinea coast, while on the northern coast
OF Morocco, she owns Ceuta, Tetuan and
the so-called Presidios Of Pehon de Velez,
Alhucemas and Melila. 1t is these last
named posts that represent SPANS tradi-
tional claim to Morocco, which covers an
area OF 100000 square miles, and is capable
OF supporting a larger population than now
exists in the Iberian peninsula
SPANS claim to this country, which COM
mands the entrance to the Mediterranean,
and which, under a good government, would
be one Of the most productive in the world,
Is based upon the fact that, at several
periods under the Visigothio monarchy and
under the Caliphate of Cordova, the north
ern section of Morocco was politically con-
nected with the power dominant on the north
OF the Straits Of Gibraltar. Hither have
turned the expansionist desires OF the
Spanish people ever since the downfall OF
Granada, and these have become intensified
during the present century by the success
full revolt Of their colonies on the Ameri-
can mainland. There is no doubt that,
II other European countries would give
her a free hand, Spain could speedily
conquer Morocco and thereby acquire an
unrtvalled strategic position, besides more
than doubling, at u stroke, her area and her
natural resources. Unfortunately for her
hope Of expansion in this direction, France
covets Morocco for herself, and Is continue
ally encroachlng upon 1t from the Algerian
side, while England deems it for her interest
that the southern border OF the Straits of
Gibraltar should remain In the hands of q
weak and non-maritime power.
We arrive, therefore, at this conclusion,
that. outside Of the Iberian peninsula and
OF it's geographical and political adjunct,
the Balearic Isles, Spain has no prospect of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and that her few remain
Ing transmarine possessions should DO
looked upon merely as assets, to be sold in
the best market.
1t ia, nevertheless, true that the Iberian
peninsula itself still enjoys those admirable
conditions OF soil and climate that enabled
1t In the first century Of our era to supper
a population which has been computed as
high as 40. 200, 900, and which permitted
the Caliphs Of Cordova to create there In
the tenth century a formidable military and
naval power, and a civilization which had
no rival In contemporary Europe. Spain,
In truth, never was more prosperous than
she was in 1892, after the last Moorish
stronghold had been captured, and when,
outside Of the Canaries, the Balearlo
Isles, the island OF Sicily, and some dis
puted claims upon the kingdom of Naples,
she had no transmarine dominions.
The same natural resources, however.
which she then turned to such admirable
account. are hers to-day. and, il she could
establish a wise administration, might
once more make. her the richest Of Med