The Florence tribune., 1898-11-26

student of Spanish history. One IS as to how Spain has managed to exist so i3ne with depleted treasury ard thc other is as to how she has so long kept such valuable islands as in the West ln- dies and the Philippines.
 In 1925 this gogernnent was 1epre- scented a Madrid hT Alexander H.. Everett. his former teacher and con lidential friend, John Quincy Adams. being president. h the fail T that year MT. Everett wrote a personal let ter to the president tfat was not pre- served in the archives of the state de- partmcnt and which was not made pub lie until more than 50years later. Itis of special interest in view of our pres ent relations and impending negotia- tions with Spain.
 As secretary of state, Mr. Adams had himself brought about the treaty under which Florida end all the claims of Spain north of the parallel of 42 degrees, as far west as the Pacific, were ceded to the United States. He insisted upon these sessions and re- ceised the credit of getting them, Mon roe, Calhoun and other prominent statesmen of the time being lukewarm in the matter. Mir. Adams had also held in this connection that Cuba was really a part of the Floridas and should pass under the control if not the ownership of the United States. Mir. Everett was in full sympathy with this view of the case, and it no doubt had a bearing upon the course that he pursued with the government at Mad rid. He found the king obstinately de- termined not to recognize the inde- pendence of Cuba, then in revolt. He also found Spain without credit and in pressing need of money, chronic con sdition that has since become familiar 10 that power.
 Under these conditions, ostensibly upon his own motion, but approved by the president, he sought to elicit cer- tain proposals from the troubled mon archy. These can be set forth in much less space than they occupy in the let ter referred to. spain was just as jealous of her honor then as now, and the scheme vas baitea with the asser- anee That honor and expediency vent together in this instance. The lnau- uiai distress of Spain was Go be relieved l5y tbe loan of 6 large sum from the United States and he burden Of mir tary charges in Cuba was to be lifted. Full title and ownership of the island was 10 remain in the parent govern ment, but it was to be turned ever to the United States temporarily" as security for the loan, made for an in- definite period and without interest. We were to have full control of har- bors and armaments, guaranteeing against invasion or seizure by other powers, and to restore actual posses sion to Spain "when the debt was paid"
 In arguing this plan MT. Everett made some predictions that have been fulfilled and others that history has failed to verify. He urged upon Spain that the Cubans would persist in their revolutionary movements until their independence was granted or their re- lease from Spanish control was effect ed through foreign intervention. He insisted that the government could not stand six months without replenish- ing it's treasury. He declared that the Cubans were not capable of self-gov- ernment, that their affairs would have equitable administration at the hands | of the United States and that the one way of maintaining Spanish honor had been opened through this pro- posal. Some of the kings advisers urged his acceptance of the proposi- tion, but he obstinately and blindly refused to alienate the island upon any terms or for any purpose.
 How history would have been changed had these secret negotiations been successful is largely matter oi imagination, but it is not credible that Spain would have repaid the millions 1t was proposed to advance her, and Il l is certain that the var now in progress would never have been fought The l scheme was revived when the aequisi ton of Cuba was agitated under thf 1 second Grant administration, but thu sequel to it all is being read in the story of current events.-DetroIt Free Press.