The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-04
THE lNTELLlGENCER.
WHEELING. ArErI. i. 1903.
Nearing the Climax.

As the international situation stands
at present 1t appears that the last hope
for a pcaceable settlement Of the crisis
with Spain lies in the possibility OF
Spain listening to the European powers.
The President. who. without shrinking
from active Intervention in behalf Of
Cuban independence, still hopes that the
advice OF the European diplomats at
Madrid may prevail. and that Spain may
yet yield to the wiser policy OF averting
the necessity for war on that score by
acquiescins in the independence OF Cuba.
However, he is understood e be pro-
ceedins on the lines laid down last Fri
day and Saturday, and without waiting
longer will send a message to Congress.
redting all the negotiations that have
been carried on with Spain, and submit
ting the entire matter to the legislative
branch of the government, with which
he is ready 10 share the responsibility
for further action 10 the end.
A significant feature OF the situation
is the apparent ;urn in the direction Of
making the basis OF the action TO be now
taken the destruction of the Maine in
Havana harbor, and the slaughter Of
American seamen under the very eyes OF
the Spanish military and naval authori-
ties. This was the incident more than
all others which aroused the American
people and has caused them to demand
heroic The President has
been urged &c make this basis a feature
OF his message, and there are indications
that, whether he does or not, 1t viii be
forced to the front in Congress, unless,
In, the meantime, the counsel Of Euro
pean powers prevails at Madrid and
compels Spain to abandon her present
position.
There is also a reason to believe that.
assuming tina: Spain will o do this but
will prefer 10 lose Cuba through war
rather than to face an angry populace at
homo. the government at Madrid is de-
termined to make the United States the
aggressor and compel her to strike the
first blow by forcing the first battle. In
the hope that Spain will gain the SYM
patty OF Europe, and cause the Euro
pean diplomats 10 withdraw their efforts
for a peaccablc surrender. This is a
shrewd now OF Spain, but Its purpose
Is so obvious that 1t will have but little
4 effect, and she may find that she has
had her trouble OF leaving Havana un-
protected!bynearlyall say Notifications.
for her pains. One member Of an Euro
pean legation is quoted In the following
significant tanner:
Il think 1t Is a question OF the mon
archy versus Cuba. War may rock the
throne OF Spain to its foundations. II
will be wise. from the standpoint OF self
interest. for Spain 10 let Cuba go-that
is, II war would otherwise occur. IL one
gun Is fired Cuba VIII surely be lost. The
dynasty may likewise go. 1t would he
better for Spain. better for Europe. that
the dynasty should not fall. Spanish
pride, which Is perfectly natural and in
accordance with national sentiment. is
the only factor In the way. l sympa-
thlze with Spain. hope she will yield
to the inevitable"
This is about the situation so far as
Spain Is concerned. 1t remains for her
Il say whether she Will yield to the in
evitable, with or without war. Which
ever she does. as to the Cuban question,
che must not forget that there is another
account, one In which the people OF the
United States are most directly and
gravely concerned. which she must and
will settle. and one which may yet be
brought to the front as the main basis OF
war. leaving Cuban independence as one
OF the certain incidents to be Included
In the final settlement OF terms OF peace.
This Is the way In which matters are
shaping. The President. while doing his
duty as Chief Executive in making war
the last resort. has not lost sight of all
other possibilities. aud in the action that
ne will take In his message and It's sub
sequent Developments. he wants the
country united to stand by the course 10
be adopted by Congress and hold up the
hands OF the administration. In this he
will not BIO disappointed. and history Will
credit him with having used every wise
and honorable method 10 secure the JUS.
cnd6 desired by the people without tho
horrors CT war, and with having yielded
TO that necessity only at a time when.
. gbn. ,,Irlarv 80 nno,a no,tII 49, 49,. -