The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-03
No Real Evidence that the New Cab
met VIII BE Able to Establish Au-
tOnomy on the Island.
ADVANCE OF THE INSURGENTS
THEIR STRENGTH A SURPRISE TO
MANY SPANISH LEADERS.
state Department. Makes an Official
Appeal for Food, Medicines and
Clothing for Sufferers.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. = There is one
thing that a good many Republican leaders
in Washington who are in sympathy with
the administration in its Cuban policy
would be glad to know. That is, what are
the Spanish aiming at in a diplomatic way?
The Sagasta administration is cultivating
the United States with the greatest of as
sduity and is meeting the friendly adj
vances of the Washington government more
than half way. 1t is no secret that Presi-
dent Mckinley is cultivating friendly re-
lations with the Spanish in the hope and
belief that at no far distant day he can
tender the offices of this republic for
restoration of peace in the Antilles in
manner and on such conditions that the
tender will be accepted and the end in view
attained without involving US in the slight
est unpleasantness and without disturb
ance to large affairs There is no conceal
ment Of the Presidents intentions in the
matter. 1t is not SO sure, however, what
the Spanish diplomats are driving at, and
a great many Republicans in Washing
ton would give good deal to know wheth-
err the Madrid government is only playing
friendly with the United States to gain
time, without intending to be bound by
diplomacy is always open to a suspicion of
insincerity and it is therefore not surpris-
ing that the thought is ever in the fore
ground that the United States will be
slapped in the face whenever and under
whatever circumstances it may propose an
effort at mediation or intervention. What
ever the purpose of the Spanish may be
it is clear that they are utilizing every
possible agency at the present time to
strengthen the bond of friendship which
has been established between Madrid and
Washington, and at the same time to Gre
ate the Impressions that the rebellion in
Cuba is about over and the islanders pre-
pared to accept autonomy.
Bright newspaper correspondents are be-
ing dispatched to Havana to tell the story
from there of the suppression of the in
surrection. The letters which they send
back purporting to describe the situation
as it is" are as valuable contributions to
history as would have been similar letters
written by any foreigner who might have
visited New York during our great war of
the rebellion, and after having made half
hour excursions from that point informed
his constituency that the war in America
was over Nevertheless, this information
is being accepted in many quarters, al
though it is wholly misleading. The most
reliable advices obtainabie are that the
rebellion is no nearer suppression than it
was two years nanda az half ago, and that
the insurgents have only to continue their
waiting game to wear the Spanish out I'LL
timately and obtain their independence.
This is the information which obtains cred
ence at the White House and throughout
administration circles.
The available army at the disposal of
General Blanco is less than sixty thousand,
and this force is needed to garrison the
forts, protect plantations and other prop
erty, leaving no. force of any considerable
strength to carry on an aggressive war.
Official reports show that nearly thirty-fve
thousand Spanish soldiers are in the hospi-
tails or otherwise unfit for active duty.
Despite the present calm and the admin
istration hope that the war in Cuba may
come to an end without involving this
country in trouble with Spain. the Cuban Sit
uation is threatening cloud hanging over
the business horizon. The President and
his advisers understand this fact thorough
~. They believe that they are following
the proper and safe course, but they are,
nevertheless awaiting developments with
uncOncealed SOlicitude.