Evening star., 1898-02-19

Gossip in Regard to Purchasing the
Islands Independence.
RESULT OF TIE MAINE DISASTER
Sentiment Against Spain's Future
Control Of Affairs.
AN AVOIDANCE OF WAR

There is reason TO believe that there is
some foundation for the story published
this morning to the effect that the Presi-
dent, hopes 10 accomplish peace in Cuba
through the purchase Of the island by the
Cubans under the guarantee of the United
States. This is not a new report, but the
statement that the question has been dis
cussed with renewed earnestness since the
Maine disaster, If 1t be true is significant.
1t is said at the Capitol today that the
Prt sident has talked about the matter
with two senators, who have been sounding
the sentiment Of Congress, and who con-
vey to the President the idea that the plan
would be approved by Congress. Their
judgment as to the sentiment of Congress
is probably ct fault. 1t is not probable
tnat Congress would approve of a guaran-
tee Of Cuban bonds. and in some quarters
the suggestion IS made that the whole idea
is born of desire of holders of Cuban
credits to insure their investments before
the independence of Cuba is established.
The suggestion of a purchase is. of course,
based upon the assumption that the disas-
ter to the Maine will prove to have been an
accident.
Result of the Catastrophe.
"
eral that. in one way or another, the ca
tastrophe Of the Havana harbor will lead
to a speedy termination of the Cuban
rebellion and of Spanish control Of that
island but II is not expected to be by
purchase, though it might be attended, if
peaceably brought about. by some sort
of adjustment of financial obligations. If
it is proven that the destruction of the
Maine was an act of treachery it is be-
lieved that the public sentiment of ma
tions would render the Spanish position
in Cuba untenable and that she would have
to relinquish the island on the best terms
she could make. The sentiment of the
whole world would probably be against her
in d war with the United States after such
an act of barbarism had been disclosed.
A war forced by her under such circum-
stances could not be confined to the uues-
ton CT the restoration of peace in Cuba by
the establishment of Independence. but
would it is believed, extend to the con-
tlnent and involve the very existence of
the kingdom of Spain. If she were de-
feated in the war the mere taking from
her or that which she had already lost
would not suffice This, it Is said would
be understood by all the world, and other
nations would probably feel it to be their
outy' In defense of the integrity Of Eu-
ropean government, to interfere and COM
pei Spain 10 make honorable amends and
10 remove the original cause of contention
nus the liberty of Cuba might be secured
without further shedding of American
blood.
demand for Peace in Cuba
On the other hand, ii the Maine disaster
Is found to have resulted from an accident
o he
iy IN doubt, the horror of the thing will
still make such an impression upon tn.
public mind that there will be a universal
demand that peace be restored in Cuha
upon some honorable conditions, and Spain
now reeiing the horror Of a war dcstruc-
tive TO her almost upon her, will be. 1t is
tnought, disposed to avoid the further risk
which would be incurred by the continu-
ance OF her hopeless effort to yanuuish the
insurgents. However the Investigation into
the Maine disaster. turns out 1t Is, there
fore, felt to be likely that Spain will he
forced to abandon her contention I'm Cuba
On the most honorable terms she can Sc
cure. Even though the Maine were de-
stroyed by accident, Spain could not hope
that public sentiment in this country or
eiseWhere would continue hereafter even
as Tolerant as 1t has been heretofore The
~NS>A eS@AoAA VI liC 20dlIle, IL Is DSu6ved. Will
result in the loss of Cuba to Spain.
What a Cabinet Officer Says,
A cabinet member who stands close to
the President said to Star reporter today
that he had never heard the President
speak OF forcing the Spaniards to allow
the C'ibans to purchase their liberty The
idea has never been broached at a cabinet
meeting. II have seen newspaper talk
along that line he said. but so far as 1
know the idea has never entered the Presi-
dents head as feasible one" He even
went so far as to say that he did not be-
lieve the latest story has any foundation
He failed to see, he said, what the Maine
tragedy had to do with the President de-
termining q policy along that line or any
other line.
The war debt Of Spain is a gigantic one
and 1t is said that she would not consent
to let that go unpaid, or at least a large
portion Of It. The United States Is already
paying millions OF dollars a year in inter-
est on its own public debt. The guarantee
OF big debt for the Cubans would be an
undertaking, 1t is claimed, too risky for
this country. The probability of constant
turmoil would endanger the guarantee Of
this country.