The times., 1898-07-13
WEDNESDAY, July Ia, 1895.
The Outlook for Pence.

The ministerial crisis in Spain is but
Incidental TO a situation which discloses
the abiect helplessness and hopelessn SIS
of Spain, even to those Of her own peo-
pie who are not totally blinded by ig-
norance or are interested in precipitat-
ing conditions Of revolution, or worse,
in the peninsula Without a navy,
bankrupt and torn with dangerous dis
sensions, the Spanish kingdom is seen
10 be upon the very verge Of collapse
and disappearance as a recognized pO-
Iitical power. Leaders of all parties at
length are under no illusions as to the
inevitable result of further resistance
TO the United States. Nearly all public
men in Madrid realize that every day
the struggle is prolonged must add to
the sum of future penance and humilia-
ton. But for the Carlist danger. the
present dynasty would have begged for
peace at any price already, Now it
must, whatever may be the conse-
quences TO the Alfons.st cause. Any
further attempt TO dodge fate by con-
tinuing to fight America would be worse
than useless, since it has become impos-
sible.
So. the probabilities are that. after
the fall Of Santiago. the war viii rap
idly peter out, and great battles or
even serious engagements between the
beIigerent forces viii hardly occur. 1t
is not likely that the important cam
paign against Havana, and Blanco's
large force Of Spaniards within its for
titled lines viii be necessary, and it is
hardly to be expected that our soldiers
hereafter viii have a great deal more
work to do in Cuba than to perform
police duty and help TO prepare the ISL
and for civilized elf-government.
But our duties and responsibilities will
not end with a cessation Of active hos
tiiiues in Cuba. The necessity viii still
remain for prompt and vigorous action
III AllAffA 4l4E I 10 ANAAhr anu DEIHdlS
the Canary Islands. We shall stin have
TO utilize our present military estab-
lishment in strengthening our position
in the Philippines, and wherever else
former Spanish possessions shall have
become American colonies, and we may
not lay down our arms until the last
chance Of foreign interference in our
possession OF territory taken over in
war has been completely dissipated.
True Americans viii not be sorry to
ungird their swords and return to the
arts Of peace. But thev will not think
Of doing so while there is the least men
ace of trouble from abroad, and whether
there is 10 be or not, win never be fully
known until a settlement with Spain
has reached its final stage Then, if
we are so fortunate as to escape seri-
Gus international complications. the
country viii plunge into the ac-
tivities Of the new era Of enterprise.
development, and prosperity which the
acquisition of "a splendid colonial en-
pire will introduce.
Whether or not we are TO enter upon
our new career as a world power. with
out some further demonstration of our
naval and military potentialities, re-
mains to be seen. 1t is to be hoped that
we shall be allowed to do So In any
case, we have crossed the Rubicon. and
left behind us the traditions and policy
Of seclusion and stupid provincialism.
We shall go on, building the Nicaragua
Canal. transmitting the latent resources
Of the great Philippine archipelago into
concrete things producing wealth, in
creasing our navy until it shall be sec
ond to none on the earth, and provid
Ing for the surplus productions of the
Union through a vast commerce which
viii carry the Stars and Stripes into the