The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-19


 Probable-spain Poor but Proud and
 Likely to Fight-President Will Have
 United Support of All Americans Come What May.
 Professor Theodore s. Woolsey of Yale university, the eminent authority on international law, discussed in a forcible and impressive manner, at the banquet of the Republican league, last night, the present relations between convincing reasons for believing that intervention in Cuba by this country is probable and war with Spain possi- ble All those present listened with the keenest attention and evidenced their approval with applause at va rious points in the address. President George B. Martin presided. Letters of regret were read from John Addison Porter, President McKinley's secre- tary; Congressman Sperry and Sena- tors Hawley and Platt. The three lat ter gentlemen referred to the present uncertainty of affairs in Washington as the reason for their not being able to be present. Senator Hawley wrote that Senator Platt and himself had agreed that it would not be best for either of them to leave Washington even for a day or two in the present state of uncertainty.
 Professor Woolsey said in substance: "As I listened to the reading of the letters in which reference was made to the present disturbed condition and as I have heard the same subject dis | cussed by so many in conversation thought it might be we'll for me to make my remarks somewhat profess sional In the letters read here this evening and in the conversation which one overhears among men every day | there is an undertone of will not say fear, but I wonder as to whether after all we are likely to have war with | Spain.
 T think we are more liable to have war than many seem willing to admit, | One reason for my view is the fact | that for years we have been confront | ed by serious state of affairs in our | relations with Spain In regard to | Cuba, and a great many people are 1 beginning to think that it is about 1 time that we put an end to the trou- l ble. Whatever may be the outcome | we can rest assured that in our presi- | dent we have one who come what may will do whatever is just and right, and 1 that the people of the country will | support him in it. (ApplauSe).
 There are three main reasons on which I consider that intervention in Cuban affairs by the United States at this time may be justified: First, the condition of affairs in the island has greatly injured our trade; second, the war in Cuba has put a severe burden on our nation in maintaining neutral ity; third, the conduct of the war in l Cuba has, it may be said, outraged our sense of humanity. These are to me three pretty strong reasons for inter- vention.
 What will happen if we should in- terfere in Cuba depends upon the atti- tude of Spain. Spain is nation that is poor and proud, and we know that nations that are poor and proud are most apt to resent interference and go to war, so that it is not unlikely that Spain would do so should we interfere in Cuba.
 "As to what would happen in case of war, many people are, 1t appears to me, needlessly apprehensive of some things. Such people have read that the loca- tion of the Winchester Arms company's works is marked on the English ord- nance maps, and they apprehend that in case of war it would be an object of attack for a hostile fleet. They also fear that hostile ships would bombard and lay waste our seaeoast cities. Now. these are results which would not be likely to happen, as the destruction of private property in this manner is for bidden by the rules of international law. The Winchester Arms company's s works are private property, and a na- tion, should it destroy them, would have to make satisfaction. You say Spain would not be bound by the rules of international law, but the fact that should she refuse to be bound by the rules of international law she would be open to reprisals of a similar nature makes it probable that she would ob- serve the rules.
 "The real results which it seems to me we might fear from 9. war are these: Every busheI of wheat or grain which we ship to England would be subject to capture by Spanish priva- teers if carried in American bottoms. As a result of this, all sales of grain would have to be consummated on this side of the water instead of on the oth- CT side, as is the case in a large degree to-day. This would upset our present conditions of doing business Again, grain and cotton would be shipped by way of Canada instead of directly from our ports, and this change in the chan nels through which commerce passes would materially affect the railroads of the country. Then the carrying of our wheat and cotton in English ves- sells, should 1t be captured by Spanish privateers, would open new interna- tional questions.
 "If there is a war it is likely to be a pretty sharp one. Whether war will come with Spain remains to be seen, but we can all unite in the wish that war may be averted, and should war come we will all be united in the sup port of our leader" (Great applause.)
 Prof. Woolsey's address was referred to by nearly all the after speakers of the evening, in complimentary and ap-