Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-04-23
HOW LONG WILL 1T LAST {?


At this writing the war with Spain has
not actually commenced. 1t is not due to
commence until this morning at about
o'clock. It is possible that it may not
commence at all. An amicable adjust
ment may be reached at the last moment
but this is not likely, and, under the cir
cumstances, it is in order to discuss the
probable length of the war.
We have seen a great many different
opinions by the newspapers on this sub
iect, and we have heard varied express
sions by individuals. Some think week
will suffice, some are of opinion that it
will take three months, and others extend
the time into years. Just how long it will
actually last we, Of course, cannot say.
We do not care to be considered as a
croaker. At all times, however, we are
disposed to try to look at facts as they
actually exist, and from this standpoint
we can easily see how the war may be a
matter of years.
There is very widespread opinion that
with the taking of Cuba, the whole trou-
BILE will be brought to an end. This view
is not supported by much reason. 1t is
more likely that with the taking of Cuba
the war will only be fairly commenced.
Cuba is at present Spain's greatest hind
rance. The war she is trying to prosecute
in the island is now costing her about IS.
100000 a month. With Cuba off her
hands, she would have this money avail
able against the United States. 1t is a
very general opinion, based on the best OF
reasons, that she would have long ago
surrendered Cuba had she been able to do
so without incurring what she would con-
slider dishonor. She has continued to
hang on more on account of her pride
than for any other cause.
So with Cuba taken, Spain is relieved
of serious handicap, and the scene OF
hostilities is transferred principally to the
sea. Spain cannot, there is good reason
to believe, invade the United States, and
it will be quite an undertaking for the
United States to invade Spain. But both
countries have more or less commercial
shipping. The United States has more
than Spain. Each country will very
likely prey upon the commerce OF the
other, with the result that the commerce
of both be driven from the seas. OF
course merchant vessels Of either coun-
try will still have chance Of being able
to pursue voyages unmolested but this
Is not the only point to be considered.
No merchant vessel would think of going
to sea nowadays without insurance.
Insurance rates, under the circumstances,
would be prohibitive. That fact alone
would he sufficient to keep the merchant
vessels of both countries at home, and all
the ocean carrying trade would of neces-
sity go TO the ships Of neutral nations.
How long a condition of affairs like this
might last is, of course, matter of spec
ulation. 1t might be for years. tis easy
enough for us to say that we would de-
stroy all of Spain's warships. Yes, may
be we could, but not easy; and besides,
she could build more. However, it is not
necessarily the warships that would do
the greatest damage to commerce. 1t
would be privateers. They will be fitted
out by private individuals or corporations
as matter of speculation, and so long as
the business is profitable, the privateers
will continue to come. The privateering
business will continue profitable so long
as the merchant ships of the United States
are still to be found on the high seas. BY
way of illustration, it might be well to
cite the case of the Confederate Alabama.
The Federal government then had pow
ertul navy, and the south had practically
none at all, yet the Alabama, almost sim
GLE handed and alone, swept the seas OF
Federal commerce. The Spaniards have
a navy that is almost as good as ours, and
for them similar task will be much
easier.
Then how is the war to ever end? 1t is
not easy to answer the question. One
way would be to keep it up until Spain is
willing to quit. But would she ever be
willing? Her record in Cuba shows that
she is not much of a quitter. Another
way would be to invade Spain. 1t is said
that the war department has, among 9TH
er things, prepared plans to this end. 1t
is likely to be only as last resort, how
ever. There will he no fun in it. Spain
is at a disadvantage in sending ships to
America for the reason that she has no
available coal on this side. Should we
undertake to reduce Spanish port with